How Much Firewood Will I Need This Winter? (User’s Guide)

Starting a fire in the fireplace is something that many people enjoy during the winter. However, it can be difficult to know how much wood to buy and store for when you need it. This guide will help answer questions about how much firewood you’ll need this winter so that your winters are full of warmth!

It’s that time of year again. The air is getting crisper, the leaves are changing colors and it feels like Halloween every day. Fall has arrived and with it comes the most dreaded question: how much firewood will I need this winter? There is no way to know for sure without a crystal ball or an advanced degree in forestry, but we do have some helpful tips to make your life easier.

Start with the Average Outdoor Temperature

The average outdoor temperature, the house’s square footage and an estimate of how much wood is needed to heat a home. These are all factors that determine if you’ll need one cord or two face cords of firewood this winter.

The fireplace store clerk told me that it takes one cord of firewood to heat a 2000 square foot home for the winter. Okay, but how much is one cord? Here’s what you need to know:

#A cord measures four feet high by four feet wide and eight feet long.#

A cord of firewood is 128 cubic feet, but most hearths are smaller than that. Many hearths can fit a face cord which measures four feet high by eight feet long and stacked to the same depth as one cord.

So what’s a face cord?

That would be wood measuring two-foot wide pieces stacked in such a way that they measure four feet high by eight feet long.

How much firewood will I need?

The average outdoor temperature in winter is below 40 degrees Farenheit and the house has a 2000 square foot footprint which means that you’ll probably need about two face cords of wood to keep your family warm all season.

How do we know this?

The average outdoor temperature, the house’s square footage and an estimate of how much wood is needed to heat a home.

These are all factors that determine if you’ll need one cord or two face cords of firewood this winter.

Questions: How much firewood will I need this winter?

Answer: The average outdoor temperature, the house’s square footage and an estimate of how much wood is needed to heat a home. These are all factors that determine if you’ll need one cord or two face cords of firewood this winter.

Add in Usage and Other Heat Sources

In order to help you better understand how much firewood will be needed, we have included a few additional factors that may play into your decision.

-Fireplaces – If there is more than one fireplace in the house, then an estimate for each must be given. The size of a fireplace can vary greatly due to different features and styles.
-Heat Sources – If heat sources other than a fireplace are present, these must be taken into account as well. For example: A stove or furnace that is used to provide indoor heating can require significantly more firewood than most natural gas furnaces do per hour of use (source). The size and power of your heater should also be considered.
-Usage – The more often you use your fireplace, the more firewood will be needed to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. If there are specific times when firewood is most commonly used in your home, then this must also be taken into account for an accurate estimate of how much wood is required per year or season.
-Location – Where you live can also play a part in determining how much firewood is needed. For example: If you live in an area with harsh winters and will need to use your fireplace often, then more wood may be required than someone who lives closer to the equator.

In order to help you better understand how much firewood will be needed, we have included a few additional factors that may play into your decision.

Calculate Room or Home Size

To determine how much firewood you need, first measure the size of the room or home. Use a tape measure and record each dimension in feet (ft) including width, length and height to get square footage (sq ft).

Length X Width = Square Footage (sq ft)

Stove Size

The next step is to determine the size of your stove. Measure space where you’ll put it and measure its dimensions in feet (ft). A lot of stoves are on legs that can be adjusted so they sit higher or lower on a surface adding an inch or two to their height, but this measurement will give you a good starting point.

Stove Height X Stove Width = Square Footage (sq ft)

For example, if your stove is 30in high and 36in wide you would have a total of 1080 sq ft for its square footage. These two measurements will help determine how much firewood you need to last through the winter months.

Factor in Firewood Type

The type of wood you burn will affect how much firewood you’ll need each season. Hardwoods like oak, hickory and maple are usually the best since they produce more heat than soft woods (such as pine) but still provide a nice scent. Decide what kind of firewood to burn before buying your first load.

Firewood is usually sold by the cord or fraction thereof. A full cord of wood measures four feet wide, four feet high and eight feet long (128 cubic feet). The best way to determine how much firewood you’ll need per season is to figure out your daily burn rate in hours for each type of fuel. You can do this by consulting with the manufacturer of your appliance.

Your Final Firewood Amount

All you need to know is how much wood your stove or fireplace can burn in a day. You should also factor in the number of days without rain, snow, etc., since you want to be able to keep it going during these times as well! The amount will vary depending on location too because different regions have different average temperatures.

Now that you know how much wood you need, it’s time to get out there and find some! But first, consider your options. You can either buy firewood or cut down your own trees for firewood. If you have the equipment necessary (i.e., chainsaw), cutting down a tree may be an option.

However, if you’re buying firewood from a supplier, be sure to consider the source. Make sure they have a good reputation and a history of delivering quality products that burn well.

Another good place to look is your local newspaper’s classified ads, where a number of firewood services advertise their products and prices. You should also check out the websites of several sellers before making a decision because they often have different types of options that can save you money. If you visit multiple sites, be sure to compare prices to find the best deal.

Finally, you should also think about how long it will take for your supplier to deliver your firewood. Most companies offer a range of delivery times (e.g., immediate or within 48 hours). A weekend is probably not an appropriate time unless you are already home because if they have to leave it at the curb, you run the risk of it being stolen.

It’s best to deliver on a weekday when someone is typically home all day in case they need to bring it inside or rearrange their schedule for delivery.

For most people, wood stoves are an efficient and affordable way to heat your home during winter months because they are an alternative to your furnace. If you’re not sure how much firewood you need, just take it step by step and check out these helpful tips!

Where to find Firewood?

The best place to find firewood is at a local tree cutting service. Firewood for sale can be found in hardware stores, grocery stores and even on Craigslist or Offerup! In addition, some home improvement stores will have bundles of wood that are available for purchase. Some people also cut their own firewood from dead trees on their property, but many people prefer to buy the firewood cut and split by someone else.

Where to store Firewood?

In addition, it is important where you keep the firewood. If storing inside a garage or outside under a deck, make sure that animals cannot get to your wood! In order words, be as safe as possible when finding and storing this winter’s supply of wood for burning in your fire place.

Tips on storing your Wood Stack

Store your wood stack in a dry and accessible place. If you’re stacking it on the ground, make sure that there is adequate drainage around its perimeter to prevent puddling. Also, try to keep as much of the top layer exposed as possible so rain can easily penetrate down through the whole pile without too many problems.
Make sure that your wood stack is accessible to the end user. That means if you’re getting a cord of wood delivered, make sure it can get in and out easily by shoveling any excess snow away from around its perimeter or clearing some paths through the woods. If you have a truck with a tailgate lift, try to make a ramp through the pile to save time and effort.
If you’re stacking your wood outdoors, cover it with tarps or plastic sheeting as much as possible to shield it from rain and snow. It won’t prevent all of the moisture from entering into your stack but it will slow down absorption significantly if done properly. It also helps to cover the stack at night so it’s not exposed directly to any moisture-laden winds which can whip up in a hurry.
Try your best to store wood somewhere close by where you plan on burning it. If you have an outdoor fire pit, try stacking some around that area if possible and using them as a convenient starter.
For wet, high water table areas where it’s hard to dry wood out after the rains stop, consider buying kiln dried logs instead of regular green firewood if you have the option. They cost more but they will burn much better and produce less smoke which is good for your lungs as well as the atmosphere.
If you live in a very wet climate where it’s hard to get wood dry, consider buying your firewood from someone whose been drying their own for several years and can pass on the savings to you. You might also want to think about burning something else like corn stover or straw with sawdust if possible.
-You can also consider buying a wood burning stove instead of an open fire if you want to save money and trouble. They are more expensive but they have less risk of starting dangerous fires or getting your home smoked out by accident. If the power goes out for any reason, that’s not necessarily the end of the world either because many stoves can burn off propane or natural gas if needed.
Depending on the type of firewood that you’re buying, it may be possible to use less wood than normal during certain times like wintertime because your house will already be nice and toasty from all of the heating going around inside. However, make sure that you still provide enough for your family to stay warm and not resort to burning furniture or other items inside like some people unfortunately do.
Finally, never burn treated wood in any form whatsoever because it’s deadly poisonous if breathed in when it burns. Instead, opt for something like cedar which is naturally resistant to bugs such as termites.

Environmental Protection

The environment is very important to us. It’s one of our most basic needs, there are many products available that aim to protect it and we should give some consideration as to how much firewood will be needed this winter (and every other season). Our planet has only finite resources that can not continue for an infinite amount of time. It’s important to consider how much wood is needed and whether or not it would be better for someone else to use their firewood. If a neighbor has extra, maybe they will let you have some of theirs?

Safety Tips

Keep your firewood pile away from buildings and flammable objects.
Make sure to keep an eye on the outside temperature, especially if you do not have a wood stove or fireplace.
Use safety equipment like gloves and tongs when moving around your fire pit or bonfire.
Store all firewood at least 20 feet away from any buildings or flammable objects.
Make sure to use fire safety equipment like gloves and tongs when moving around your fire pit or bonfire.
Keep an eye on the outside temperature, especially if you do not have a wood stove or fireplace.

FAQs

How much firewood will I need this winter?

You’ll want to consider the size of your fireplace. If you have a larger one, then obviously more wood is needed to keep it going throughout the night. However, if you are using smaller appliances like pellet stoves or inserts that require less heat output then you’ll need less firewood.

How do I know if the wood is dry when it comes to me?

The best way to tell is by weight and thickness of your pieces. If they are too heavy, then you probably have some moisture in them so it will be necessary for them to air out before burning or splitting.

How much does it cost to split wood?

It really depends on the size of your logs. It can be anywhere from $25-$45 per cord ($75 – $135 for a regular half). If you are doing this yourself, then it is best if someone helps because splitting alone isn’t very easy.

How often should I be splitting wood?

If you have a lot of it, then once a year is enough. If the pile gets smaller and smaller though, then perhaps twice a year will do just fine. It’s important to remember that splitting logs can cause stress on your body so make sure you are taking care of your self and stretching every so often.

How many cords do I need?

A cord is 128 cubic feet, which is a lot but not too much to handle. You should be able to get it all in the back of your truck if you have the space available for it! If you live on acreage or have a large lot, then you may want to get more firewood than someone with a smaller space.

How many times can I burn through a cord of wood?

It really depends on the type of appliance that your using and how often you use it. If its pellet stoves or inserts only once every four hours, then it may only take you one day to burn through a cord. But if its larger appliances (like your fireplace) then it could take up to five days or more!

What should I do with my wood once the season is over?

If you are done burning for the year, make sure that all embers and ash are completely extinguished. Then you can cover your wood pile with a tarp or move it into the shed until next year!

What are some safety tips when dealing with firewood?

Make sure to store your wood at least 18 inches off of the ground and never leave them out in an exposed area for too long without covering them. Also, make sure that you put your chain saw on the ground and use it at eye level so its completely safe.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many different factors that affect the amount of firewood needed for one’s winter. It is important to know how much wood someone will need before buying or cutting it down because if not enough wood is cut then people may end up with a lot leftover which could become an issue in itself. The best way to get a feel for how much firewood you will need is by focusing on the size of your home and also if you have any other factors that may affect this such as drafty windows or poor insulation.