Woodburning
Woodburning is one of most efficient and economical ways to heat your house. Get a stove… install it in your new stone fireplace get out with your chainsaw and trailer and you’re ready to go. There is no substitute for real flames to make a fireplace look welcoming. Stack a few logs on the hearth to dry out for the next load. Dry would is actually the key to efficient woodburning, and really you should be storing your logs away from wet weather for ideally a year minimum before burning them. If you have a south facing wall somewhere in your garden, then build a big stack, as you collect them, and just put a rainproof roof on it. (old corrugated steel sheet perhaps, or even a sheet of plastic) The sun will then accelerate the drying, and you will be able to burn your logs even sooner.
Dry wood burns more efficiently, because the energy is not all used up evaporating the water that is present is wet logs. It also enables the wood to burn more slowly, with less draught, and therefore last much longer. It also leaves less ash, and an efficient stove, burning dry wood, may only need the ash removing once every two weeks or so.
Not all logs are equal. Oak and ash are best, but any will produce heat if dried correctly. Ask your log supplier for oak and ash if he can get it, as it does produce more heat for your money.