Are you looking for heat or for cosiness?
I’ve both a stove and an open fire. I prefer the open fire but the stove is more efficient.
I light both for the ambience as much as the heat. Having said that, come 8pm or so I’d normally knock the gas heating off and just heat the sitting rooms with the stove/open fire.
I probably spend about €150 per annum on coal and turf. All the wood I supply myself.
Despite the time of year, the winds in June had a chill in them. I’d light the stove with just a few logs and sods, no coal, and let that burn out, no refilling. It took that sting out of the air without turning the gas on, or (God forbid) putting a sweater on.
I know plenty of people that have stoves but never use them. They can look nice and provide a focal point in a room.
I’m not too worried about carbon taxes. They’re inevitable.