End of 2013/2014 season... how much did you use?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Ashful

Ashful

Minister of Fire
Mar 7, 2012
19,974
Philadelphia
Time (for some of us) to start the annual thread...

Just as with the last two years, my burning season ended before my need for heat. I have about 1/3 cord left, but after last week's dilemma, I've decided I'm saving that thru March in case of emergency. I've burned thru a little more than 5 cords.

Based on my usage this year, and the last two, it looks like I'd do well to prepare for 8 cords per year. Either that, or just run one stove during the week, and let the boiler pick up more of the slack. We're burning thru roughly 1000 gal. oil per year, with 5-1/2 cords of wood. Going to 8 cords might get our oil usage down to 700 gal.
 
How much DID I use? Past tense? I'll be burning for another 8 weeks, if I am lucky. Last year I had some fires into early May.

About two weeks ago I had already burned more than I had for any winter in total! I am into my third cord already, which is a lot for me.
 
As Yogi said: "It ain't over, until it's over."
Winter, for some of us, is barely half over.
 
3 so far
 
It's not ended for a lot of folks yet. March 1 would be a better date to check.
 
Check back with me at the end of April. I have burned into June more than once.
 
  • Like
Reactions: brokenknee, eclecticcottage, Dix and 1 other person
Joful said:
Time (for some of us) to start the annual thread...

Just as with the last two years, my burning season ended before my need for heat. I have about 1/3 cord left, but after last week's dilemma, I've decided I'm saving that thru March in case of emergency. I've burned thru a little more than 5 cords.

Based on my usage this year, and the last two, it looks like I'd do well to prepare for 8 cords per year. Either that, or just run one stove during the week, and let the boiler pick up more of the slack. We're burning thru roughly 1000 gal. oil per year, with 5-1/2 cords of wood. Going to 8 cords might get our oil usage down to 700 gal.
Click to expand...

Dang man that's a lot of wood and oil but i seen pics of your place..big and beautiful!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ashful
getting close to 4 cords...and still looking at possibly 7 more weeks of burning....yikes
 
begreen said:
It's not ended for a lot of folks yet. March 1 would be a better date to check.
Click to expand...
I won't be the only one running out of wood early, this year.
 
Not quite the end of my season just yet...

snow1.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: loon, lopiliberty, Dix and 2 others
End of the burning season and end of personal wood supply are separate milestones.
 
begreen said:
End of the burning season and end of personal wood supply are separate milestones.
Click to expand...

I know. And this just may be the first time in memory that the year's supply wasn't the year's supply. Mostly because it got cold early last year and I had to munch 1/2 cord of this years supply then. :confused:

Got used to using half the wood I used to have to have after putting in the 30.
 
We will use up our doug fir supply this year. That side of the shed will be empty. The hardwood side is carrying the 24/7 load and should handle February. If we get a March surprise all bets are off.
 
I'd have to recount, but we'll be burning for another 12 weeks or so. That would be normal.......this winter doesn't seem quite normal, so.........
Ask again in the middle of May. Or Juneuary.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rideau
Usually go through about 3 cords, but this year has been consistently cold, and I am going to go over that. But I am blessed to be about 4 years ahead, so no problem. I just have to get some more in the wood shed (or brave the snow and the stacks) It only holds about 2.5 cords comfortably and I am about out. Snow and cold have kept me from moving more in. But next weekend I will get some more in one way or the other. Life is good.
 
Joful said:
Lightweight. :p
Click to expand...

Not at all. I had the wisdom to insulate first, then get the stove. I mention this because historically exercises of wisdom have been somewhat rare on my part.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ashful
Had 3+ cords hardwood ticketed for this year. Trying to stretch the remaining 1/2 cord of hardwood by mixing in some 8 mo. CSS pine. It was supposed to be next year's shoulder. Will probably use up next year's torso before it's all over.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jatoxico
I went thru 5 cords easy, got about a weeks worth of wood left and then i'll be turning on the furnace. I am sooooo ready for spring. Next weeks supposed to be all in the mid 20s so that'll feel almost spring like after the crap we been having.
 
winters half over - 5 1/2 so far.
 
I'm 2.5 cords in..24/7. Can't wait till the shoulder hits to get back to 24 hr. burns.
 
Over a foot of snow on the ground in the last 3 days and now freezing rain. I don't think winter is close to being over. We have used two cords so far heating 24/7 or 1/2 of what we used with the smoke dragon. We will use about one more cord heating in most years until mid April.
 
begreen said:
End of the burning season and end of personal wood supply are separate milestones.
Click to expand...
Not when one dictates the other!

A neighbor just told me another neighbor (arborist) has seasoned wood for sale at $125/cord. Will check today, and if true, buy 5-10 cords. I might be back in business after all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: loon
I'm just shy of 2.5 cords used so far, burning 24/7 with the exception of the warm spell in January we had. Looking at the long range forecast, we'll still be seeing near or below 0*F for quite a while yet. It's -6*F here this morning.

Edit: We're on track to use about 3 to 3.5 cords this winter if it starts to warm up at the end of March. We have enough wood for at least three years out anyways, so I am not too worried.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

stoveliker
How much did you burn this year
Replies
44
Views
2K
The Wood Shed
sirlight
S
M
New member, looking for advice on wood insert vs. pellet insert.
Replies
10
Views
392
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
EbS-P
EbS-P
D
What would you do? (Sell or burn two cords of wood)
Replies
28
Views
2K
The Wood Shed
all night moe
A
E
Does wood season all year?
Replies
21
Views
4K
The Wood Shed
EbS-P
EbS-P
K
Wood furnace warped - worth/safe to repair?
Replies
6
Views
581
The Boiler Room - Wood Boilers and Furnaces
johneh
johneh
Top Bottom
Back