Calculating how much firewood you need for the season helps you to stay toasty all winter.
According to the latest census data, more than 2.5 million homes rely on firewood for heating their homes. If your home is one of these, or if you use an indoor or outdoor fireplace for occasional warmth and ambiance, having enough firewood to last through the winter is critical. Calculating how much firewood you need to buy and store for the season helps you to stay toasty all winter without waiting for another firewood delivery.
Climate, Usage, and Heating Space
How much wood you will need depends on how cold it gets where you live, how much you depend on wood for heating, and the size of the space you plan to heat. For colder climates, such as the Northeast and Midwest regions, using wood as a primary heat source, having 2-3 cords per 1,000 square feet of heating space is ideal. As for warmer climates, 1-2 cords per 1,000 square feet of heating space should be enough. Remember that being overprepared is best when it comes to the comfort and safety of your family. It’s a good idea to round up and track how much wood you use annually.
Type of Firewood
If you rely on a wood-burning stove for heat, finding which wood fuels your fire is the key to efficiency, cost-savings, and maintenance, as different types of wood offer varying benefits. Aroma, high heat output, and low smoke are essential factors when determining which firewood suits your needs. Hardwoods such as oak or beech are generally best for heating your home as they burn longer and hotter than softwoods. Remember: the best wood is dry wood. Well-seasoned, dry wood is the key to efficiency and avoiding other unwanted byproducts of burning wood, such as creosote build-up.
Properly Storing Firewood
Storing firewood for the winter is just as important as the kind of wood you burn. Ensuring your firewood is dry, seasoned, and appropriately stacked is critical to ensuring a clean, efficient burn all season. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll be prepared for when the temperatures drop.
- Keep it off the ground
- Provide airflow
- Do not stack against your house
- Store outside
- Keep the wood dry
Questions? Lehnhoff’s Supply is Here to Help
If you still have more questions about how much firewood you will need this winter, the trained professionals at Lehnhoff’s Supply are here to help you.
Find us at 2708 Belair Road, Fallston, MD 21047 and give us a call at 410-510-7646. For tips, tricks, and to see what we have been up to, be sure to follow us on Facebook, X – Twitter, and Pinterest!
We serve but aren’t limited to, the following parts of Maryland: Harford County – Fallston, Forest Hill, Joppa, Edgewood, Bel Air, Churchville, Havre de Grace, Jarrettsville, Street, Aberdeen, Abingdon, and Joppatowne. In Baltimore County: Kingsville, Perry Hall, Overlea, Fullerton, Nottingham, Parkville, Towson, Carney, Loch Raven, Lutherville, Timonium, Hunt Valley, Cockeysville, Sparks, Glyndon, Pikesville, Reisterstown, Ruxton, Parkton, Glen Arm, Baldwin, Monkton, Long Green, White Marsh, Rosedale, Phoenix, and Fork.