Help in estimating Cord needs for season

[harmerd]

Anyone have any pointers on how many cords to go out with if I burn Dec - March, M-F 4 to 11pm and Sat and Sun 8 - 11pm? Castine 400 Jotul. May sound like hard question, knowing weather changes and such. but just looking for a guess. You can tell I'm a math formula kinda of guy...........I like "rules of thumb". Its not yet cold and I am not burning every day to give me a feel.

Thanks Don

 

[babalu87]

2 cord of hardwood is where you should start, as long as its off the ground it wont rot anytime soon so whatever is left over will be good for next year.
Unless you have a VERY reputable wood supplier or already have DRIED wood ready to burn getting anything that is going to burn well now will be tough.
What are the reasons for giving the times? Is that when you are in the house?

 

[begreen]

Is that 4am or pm? same question for the weekend times?

 

[budman]

I'll have to side with babalu on this one, two cords but like he said to find
good wood this late in the year is going to be very hard.Good luck. :down:

 

[RedRanger]

Don`t want to contradict Babalu but if you really don`t want to be in the predictament that others are now finding themselves in this winter,get 4 cords so you always have a 2 year supply. Once you start using wood heat and grow to like it you will automatically start thinking ahead-cause there is no heat like it. Take a look at the thread on this Forum about Wood Suppliers Not Keeping Up With Demand. I specially wouldn`t want to contradict Babalu if he really is that guy I watch on UFC-lol

 

[BrotherBart]

Yeah two ought to be about right.

 

[babalu87]

Don`t want to contradict Babalu but if you really don`t want to be in the predictament that others are now finding themselves in this winter,get 4 cords so you always have a 2 year supply. Once you start using wood heat and grow to like it you will automatically start thinking ahead-cause there is no heat like it. Take a look at the thread on this Forum about Wood Suppliers Not Keeping Up With Demand. I specially wouldn`t want to contradict Babalu if he really is that guy I watch on UFC-lol

UFC
NFW

Below is me holding a saw with an 18" bar on it. That tree had just over a cord of wood.

 

[harmerd]

What are the reasons for giving the times? Is that when you are in the house?

Yes. That when I am home. Everyone comes home at 4ish. I was paying attention to log size/load, damper, temp(running about 450-550), reload, etc. All red oak now.

Have availability from licensed dealer with good rep for 1 year seasoned.

Stove is in a family room/kitchen combo that is 800square ft( really 900 because of the catherdal ceiling open all the way across). The Castine is rated, by the book, for 1600 sq ft. I have a open door mudroom attached to one side of the that combo and a dining room, and a pantry area....all open. I figure 1100 sq ft together then 3 hallway branches to the rest of the house. With the "wrap around" path of the Cape Cod and its open foyer to the second floor I can get 70 -72 degrees on the main thermostat in the living room 44 feet away in the front of the house with a box fan on low(ceil fan in the fam room). I would say it was properly sized by the dealer I bought it from with the info/floor plan I gave them. It keeps the propane main unit in hibernation most of the time, and only uses the low stage of the duel stage heat to "kiss" the temp up hours after the stove dies down. At 2.85 a gallon for propane.............thats a relief.

 

[harmerd]

Is that 4am or pm? same question for the weekend times?

Sorry that was 4pm to 11pm

 

[babalu87]

You'll be burning longer than 4PM - 11PM wont you? You can load it up good an night and wake up to a warm house

I have a cape too, VERY easy house to heat with the open floor plan.

 

[harmerd]

You'll be burning longer than 4PM - 11PM wont you? You can load it up good an night and wake up to a warm house

I have a cape too, VERY easy house to heat with the open floor plan.

Most likely a little. I am the guy who sets the therm back when the family hits the sheets.......like 5 degrees or such. In the morning they are all up and out in little over an hour. They get a "little blast" of heat from the propane.....more for mental effect.....and they are happy. We save $$$$ like that.

Mental attitude is everything.......

I think just seeing the fire going heats them mentally.

 

[Mike Wilson]

It is going to depend on your stove size, as well as the times you are burning. For reference, when I burn 24/7, I run through a cord a month, and the stove has about a 2.25cu/ft firebox. I load her 3 times per day, each burn lasting about 8 hours... once at 6AM, once at about 3-4 PM, and a final load at about 11PM. Your burn from 4-11 is basically just one loading of the stove, 2 short loads if you want to blast the heat. I agree with the 2 cord suggestion, however I wouldn't get 2 cord... nor would I get 4. I would buy 3, knowing that odds are you'll have some wet wood, and you'll want to have more frequent loads. Plus, having some left over for next year isn't a bad thing.

-- Mike

 

[harmerd]

Done. 3 cords will be delivered tomorrow night. I just set up the bases to stack all 3 off the ground. I have 1/2 cord left right now from last year so its nice and dry. IF the 3 cords aren't seasoned enough or are wet I can get a dry cord in a week AS SOMEBODY owes me for a bay window I gave them. Guy has 6 cords in his basement....yep in his basement. More outside, but he is not the seller of the 3 cords to me.

Three load example sounds good. I haven't really "loaded" the box up with more than 3 good logs on coals....as I am experimenting with this new stove and hate to damper all the way down if it starts to run. I do get 450-500ish for while but will push the load up to get a longer 500-550 carry.

Thanks to all for the help. As I have seen the info and assistance really flows in the Forum.

 

[BrotherBart]

If you are in Havre de Grace, send us a duck decoy.

 

[harmerd]

Hah!!

17 minutes away

YOU know the area there N.Virg.......Decoys everywhere!

 

[begreen]

Done. 3 cords will be delivered tomorrow night. I just set up the bases to stack all 3 off the ground. I have 1/2 cord left right now from last year so its nice and dry. IF the 3 cords aren't seasoned enough or are wet I can get a dry cord in a week AS SOMEBODY owes me for a bay window I gave them. Guy has 6 cords in his basement....yep in his basement. More outside, but he is not the seller of the 3 cords to me.

Three load example sounds good. I haven't really "loaded" the box up with more than 3 good logs on coals....as I am experimenting with this new stove and hate to damper all the way down if it starts to run. I do get 450-500ish for while but will push the load up to get a longer 500-550 carry.

Thanks to all for the help. As I have seen the info and assistance really flows in the Forum.

If the wood isn't dry, tell them to put it back on the truck. No reason to pay peak season prices for off season wood.

 

[harmerd]

[If the wood isn't dry, tell them to put it back on the truck. No reason to pay peak season prices for off season wood.[/quote]


I am always worried about that. One dealer had green but was dancing around saying it wasn't. Since this is a small community somewhat, you usually know someone that know them. But what I coming is from a established local firm that I know more about, is licsensed/good standing, and was listed on this website with a good comment. Price was 165.00 a cord. Area is running 185.00 - 225.00.

Besides.....I am in the liquor business......and they want me on their good side......or I will raise the price of beer!

 

[johnsopi]

I'm in Elkton so I'm close by. 4 cords will do you good.