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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

Lisa, you wrote, "Hubby learned in this last year that he has carpal 
tunnel in his left wrist/arm (not good news for a performing guitar 
player) and this will get worse until he has surgery at some point. 
He'd rather his wood chopping and stacking days were behind him."

Wood chopping and stacking is not fun work for many. If hubby has an 
open mind about the subject make sure the negative connection is for 
real. Seems to me like different muscles and tendons are used for the 
two performances, guitar and woodstove. Perhaps, even, woodstove work 
might help strengthen guitar-embattled wrists. The usual disclaimer: 
consult your doctor.

> Propane isn't perfect, it costs a fair amount to fill the tank, but the ease
> of having a fire on a cold morning and then turning it off as the day warms
> up sounds very appealing, as does having an even consistency of heat.

I have no regrets about our propane heat. If the sky begins to fall I 
can return to wood heat, but propane on a thermostat is efficient, 
high adjustable with puny effort, responds immediately on or off if 
the weather dictates. The cost balance is mostly dollars versus time 
and effort.

Last fall I finally did something I thought about for many years. I 
bought a thousand-gallon propane tank. No more worrying about when 
the driveway will be snowed or iced such that a big truck must not 
descend. With no obligation to buy from a company that owns the tank 
I can shop prices among several propane companies within delivery 
range. With that much capacity I can choose when I will buy. I chose 
to buy nothing this summer season--the best price was about $1.52-- 
because I think prices will be lower next year. The tank cost $1,800. 
The rental tank leased for about $50 per year, so based ownly on 
ownership payback it will almost certainly take longer than my 
remaining lifetime to pay for itself that way. But by allowing me to 
buy when the price is best, I believe I will beat the dollar war.

> How about some advantages or disadvantages we're not thinking of or 
> other heating choices we might consider other than options that are 
> out of the question (a big dollar heat pump or expensive outdoor wood furnace).

For convenience it's no contest. For aesthetics, I like a wood fire. 
Someday I intend to have both. In addition to hubby's body, your 
immediate decision likely depends on available dollars and longevity 
of the considered appliance. Earth-tempered heat pumps are highly 
efficient but cost much. They don't work if electricity is off due to 
playful squirrels or falling trees. Resist the typical tendency to 
decide based on cash on hand. Do the full math for the expected duration.

You did not say if your house is tight and well insulated. I don't 
know the precise balance but suspect that an expensive but highly 
energy efficient system is more cost effective in an energy-efficient house.