How much wood do I need?

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SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

New Member
Apr 8, 2012
50
SE TN
I already know that I can never have enough so let's get that out of the way before the discussion even begins ;). Now, with that said, this is my first year of burning wood and I am trying to get some ballpark estimate on how much wood you guys think I will go through. I know there are a lot of variables in this equation but I'm trying to stockpile and make racks for a few years worth of wood but since I have no idea how much I will burn each year, I'm just shooting in the dark on this one. Keep in mind that I am in a warmer climate than most of you guys so I would probably only burn Nov - Feb on a full time basis with a few days in Oct and March. I do plan to burn as my primary heat source though. So, what say you?

Hey, I might even give an e-prize to the person who gets the closest come next April :cool:.
 
What's your square footage and insulation sitch?

I'm in a warmer area too but burn a little longer than you do. I'd burn about 4-6 tons of softwood (cords) for 1500sq.ft.
 
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Well insulated 1900 sq. ft. open floor plan house with new windows, doors, and added insulation in the attic. Currently use an electric heat pump and my average utility bill runs about $150-$200 a month in the winter.
 
Many variables but my guess for the e-prize is 4.5 cord
 
3.14 cord!
 
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I actually think that's close!
 
farmerjohn said:
Cold winter coming methinks,

5 cords
Click to expand...

Little different weather between Tennessee and Japan John. I know. Been both places in winter. And the OP probably has an indoor bathtub. ;lol
 
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I'm over in the Asheville NC area which is probably colder. I would guess around 2.5 cords. You'll use more the first year because your wood will probably not be as dry.
 
Dry wood? Is that important ;lol?

I've been planning this for quite some time. I split a few pieces last weekend to spot check the stacks I have with my moisture meter. All the split wood is running about 15%. The few rounds that I have are running 20-25% (I was hoping for better). Total, I have about 2 cord c/s/s. I have about another cord and a half (maybe 2) of red oak that's been on the ground for 2 years that I'm going to split this weekend. I have no idea how dry/wet that's going to be. I also have about 2 cord of standing dead white oak that I fell back in March (Wish I had at least cut that up then).

So, your point is probably valid that I will be burning, at least some, less that desirable wood this winter.
 
Enough to stay warm. Do I win?==c A C
 
TN, burning 1/2 as long as I do, in a well insulated house, etc., and only a couple hundred sq. ft. larger.........hmmm. I have no freekin idea.
I will however, venture a wag of 2.3 cord if all hardwood, and dry.
 
3 1/2 cord . . . give or take a cord or two. Any left over wood from this coming Winter will be the start of next year's wood.
 
Given your area and the size house with good insulation, I'll guess 2 cord. If more, then less than 3.

We have been burning 3 cord per winter but last summer put in new windows and doors plus lots of insulation. With the warm winter we had we burned a little over 2 cord. That would be my guess for you in a "normal" winter.
 
9 cords! (Cut split & stacked (CSS) off the ground)

3 , as dry as you can get it & ready for this year, (will be "ok" wood, but inspect/clean the chimney monthly )

3 for next year at least 1 year seasoned (will be "real good" burning wood, inspect/clean the chimney every 6 weeks )

3 for the year after next, then you burn some 2 year seasoned wood to know how " great",
(2 years seasoned, good, dry, solid fire wood burns & you will notice the difference ;)
Check the chimney & notice how clean it is. (inspecting the chimney every 6 weeks to 2 months is a good rule regardless of the wood )

3 years ahead, all the time, that way:
If you need more, you have some 1 year + seasoned stuff to burn if needed, that's been drying thru the winter.
Then you only need to cut 1 years supply every year to keep the rotation of 2 year seasoned wood.

Well you asked :)
 
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Your burning technique will be less, shall we say, refined the first year. I have found that wood that is CSS for 1 year or more to burn just fine and have clean glass. Almost everything I will be burning this year will be over 2 years old except for some maple that is CSS smaller (that is another change I made as well) and that will be over 1 year old.

Basically everybody goes through a little more wood the first year (I think).
 
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SouthernBreeze said:
Well insulated 1900 sq. ft. open floor plan house with new windows, doors, and added insulation in the attic. Currently use an electric heat pump and my average utility bill runs about $150-$200 a month in the winter.
Click to expand...

Man, that's my electricity bill in the summer when I'm not using A/C. $210-260 with AC.
 
I have not been able to burn four cords per winter here in central PA with my small stove. I think stove size limits me more than a lack of cold weather does. If you had twelve cords split and stacked you'd be three years ahead, which is a nice place to be.
 
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