If you already have a fireplace, consider converting it to a gas stove.

We had a fireplace in the middle of our living room which we replaced with a Vermont Castings gas stove hooked to a thermostat and *removed* the electric forced air units in our whole downstairs with the exception of the outlying rooms.

It now pretty much heats the entire house.

You could probably hardwire it to the gas main and have an aux natural gas tank.

And it looks nice and I don't have to cut or haul firewood and no firewood debris.

Oh, and our heating bill went down.

-john



(ironically, I didn't have a picture handy of the front of the unit)