Figuring out how much firewood you need for the winter is an important task for many homeowners who rely on wood as their primary or supplemental heat source. With proper planning and estimation, you can make sure you have enough cords of wood to keep your home warm all winter long.
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What is a cord of wood?
When it comes to firewood, the standard unit of measurement is the cord. A cord is a stacked pile of wood that measures 4 x 4 x 8 feet (128 cubic feet). This stack contains pieces of wood that are around 16-18 inches long after being split. A cord of seasoned firewood weighs around 2,000-4,500 pounds depending on the type of wood.
How much wood do I need?
The amount of wood you need depends on several factors:
- Size of your home
- Level of insulation
- Main heat source (wood, electric, etc.)
- Climate and winter temperatures
- Type of wood stove or fireplace
- Desired indoor temperature
As a general guideline, here are some estimates for how much firewood you may need based on house size and climate:
Mild climate
| House Size (sq ft) | Cords of Wood Needed |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | 2-3 |
| 1,500 | 3-4 |
| 2,000 | 4-6 |
| 2,500 | 6-8 |
Moderate climate
| House Size (sq ft) | Cords of Wood Needed |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | 3-5 |
| 1,500 | 5-7 |
| 2,000 | 7-9 |
| 2,500 | 9-12 |
Cold climate
| House Size (sq ft) | Cords of Wood Needed |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | 4-6 |
| 1,500 | 6-9 |
| 2,000 | 8-12 |
| 2,500 | 12-16 |
Keep in mind these are rough estimates and your actual needs may vary significantly. It’s better to have extra wood left over than run out mid-winter!
Other factors that affect wood consumption
In addition to climate and house size, several other factors can impact your wood consumption:
Wood stove efficiency
Older wood stoves and fireplaces are much less efficient than newer EPA-certified wood stoves. You may need up to 50% more wood with an old, inefficient wood stove.
Insulation and air sealing
Well-insulated and air-sealed homes need less wood heat to stay warm. Improving insulation and sealing air leaks can potentially reduce wood consumption by 25% or more.
Thermostat setting
The temperature you keep your home set at makes a big difference in wood usage. You can use around 5-10% less wood for each degree (F) you lower the thermostat in winter.
Wood type
Hardwoods like oak, maple and ash provide more heat output per cord than softwoods like pine, spruce and poplar. The type of wood you burn affects how much you need.
Home layout
Open floor plans with high ceilings need more wood heat than homes with many small partitioned rooms. The layout and design of your home impacts the heat load.
Supplemental heat sources
If you use other heat sources like an electric furnace or gas fireplace along with your wood stove, you may need less wood overall for heating.
Tips for efficiency
Here are some tips to use wood heat more efficiently and reduce the amount of firewood you need:
- Have your chimney cleaned and wood stove inspected yearly
- Properly air seal and insulate your home
- Split logs to 6-8 inch diameter size for best burning
- Only burn seasoned, dry wood with 20% moisture content or less
- Stack wood tightly in a sheltered area out of rain and snow
- Burn smaller, hotter fires instead of large smoldering ones
- Consider upgrading to an EPA-certified wood stove
- Use the stove fan to distribute heat efficiently through the house
- Let the fire die down at night and use an electric heater if needed
When to order wood
It’s best to order your firewood at least 6-9 months before you will need it to allow for proper seasoning time. Splitting and stacking the wood in spring or summer gives it time to fully dry out before winter. Try to avoid buying wood in the fall that will be burned right away – the higher moisture content will reduce heat output by up to 25%. If purchasing log lengths, have them cut and split in early spring so the wood has maximum time to season.
Where to get firewood
You have a few options for sourcing firewood:
- Firewood dealers – Many companies sell pre-split, seasoned firewood by the cord. This is the easiest option.
- Tree services – Tree removal companies sometimes sell or deliver cheap logs or log lengths.
- Local ads – Check for local listings of people selling firewood from their property.
- Cut your own – You can save money cutting firewood yourself from your own property.
When sourcing wood, try to get hardwoodspecies like oak, ash, maple, cherry or locust for best burning. Make sure the vendor can verify the firewood has been properly seasoned.
Storing the firewood
Stack your firewood in a location near your home that is sheltered from rain, snow and direct sun. Stack the logs in a crisscross pattern to allow airflow. Keep the stacks at least 6 inches off the ground. If covered, make sure to allow ventilation around the top of the stacks.
Safety tips
Burning firewood involves some safety considerations:
- Have your chimney cleaned annually and inspect the stovepipe for creosote buildup.
- Keep combustibles at least 3 feet away from the wood stove.
- Never burn pressure treated wood, driftwood, or wood with paints and stains.
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors near bedrooms.
- Keep a fire extinguisher handy near the wood stove.
- Instruct children and pets to stay away from the stove when hot.
Conclusion
Determining your firewood needs takes some planning and estimating based on the size of your home, climate, wood stove, and other factors. Give yourself plenty of lead time to source high quality seasoned firewood at a good price. With the right amount of dry firewood properly stacked and close to your home, you’ll stay cozy and warm no matter how cold winter gets.