With summer in full swing, the last thing anyone wants to do is think about winter. But try as we might to forget about winter, we can’t put off mother nature changing the seasons. So, while winter feels like it’s far off – now is the perfect time to begin stocking up on your firewood supply. You’ll not only beat the fall firewood stocking rush, but you’ll be prepared if winter decides to show her face early. The big question is: how do you know how much firewood you’ll need for a full winter? Whether you are heating your home strictly with firewood or use it for supplemental heating, this article will help you learn how to calculate your firewood consumption and give you some helpful tips on measuring and hauling your firewood.
Evaluate your Firewood Needs
Generally, people say that a 1000 square foot home goes through about three wood cords during a typical winter. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to get the most accurate firewood amount for your home:
- How cold does it tend to get where you live?
- What are the winter weather predictions in your area for the year?
- Is your wood stove your primary heat source or for supplemental heat?
- Do you fire up the fireplace or woodstove every day?
- Is your wood stove old or a newer fuel-efficient model?
- How much wood storage space do you have?
Once you have the answers to these questions, it’s time to put your analytical brain to work with some simple math. This great How-To video walks through how to calculate your firewood usage. The formula is as follows:
(Fuel Type BTU per Gallon X Total Number Gallons Used per winter) / (Wood Species BTUs per Cord X Stove Efficiency) = Total Need Cords per winter
Round-Up: More is Better than Not Enough
Round up on your calculations if you have the space to store firewood off the ground. It is always better to buy extra for peace-of-mind and in case of emergencies. Here in Upper Michigan, our snowy winter storms are known for wreaking havoc and causing temporarily blocked roads. With surplus firewood, you don’t have to worry about staying warm or if you are going to run out by winter's end.
Measuring and Hauling Tips
Firewood is measured in cords. A full cord is 4 feet high by 8 feet wide by 4 feet deep. Be sure the logs in your cord are stacked straight across. If they are crossed over each other, you won’t be getting as much firewood for your money.
Another thing to keep in mind is that a full cord of firewood can weigh up to 5,000 pounds. If you are choosing to pick up your firewood, be mindful of your truck's hauling capability. Check out the USDA Forest Service illustration about how much firewood different types of pickup trucks can transport safely.
At Stone Hearth, you don’t ever have to worry about how you’re going to haul your firewood. We do all the work for you. All you have to do is let us know you would like to use our firewood delivery service when you place your order. It’s as simple as that! Call 906-250-6178 to order your winter firewood supply today.