First an introduction. My name is Chris and I live in Auburn, MI. I have spent the last few weeks reading through this forum and gathering all the information I can on wood stoves/wood burning.
I am looking to install a wood stove for the upcoming 14/15 heating season and have a few questions:
1) My house is roughly 1600 square feet, single story ranch with good insulation. I have been looking at the PE Super 27 flat top as a 24/7 heat source for my home. I live in central Michigan and was wondering how this stove would do based on my square footage and climate. The stove would be fairly centrally located. I am limited by rear wall clearance to do this install which is why I leaning towards the super 27.
2) Any idea on wood usage heating 24/7? It seems the usual answer is 3-5 cords per year but was wondering if it would be closer to 3 or 5.
3) I have realized how important it is to get a few years ahead on wood. Does anyone have any sources on where to get log loads of wood delivered in the central MI area? I have found one source that will deliver log loads but they have a 10 cord limit...I dont think I could handle/process that much on my property; possibly 5-6 cord load. Also does anybody have any luck with cutting on state/federal land?
Sorry for the long winded post!! I appreciate any insight or tips that may be provided for a newbie like myself.
Welcome to the forum Bows & Bucks. Nice name!
Much of what you will burn will be dependent upon the stove and the fuel you choose to burn. For example, when we had our big old Ashley we burned around 6 cord per year and one year we remember 7 1/2 cord. After installing the Fireview, a smaller stove, we cut our wood needs in half. Not only that but we stay a whole lot more comfortable in the house and we've also since added a room. But I'd suggest you plan on 4 cord for sure.
It is extremely important to have wood ahead and it concerns me that you do not have next winter's wood already put up. One thing I would do for sure is to ask what kind of wood you are buying. You definitely do not want any oak because it takes too long to dry. Your best bet for next fall will be soft maple and white ash. If you can get these, you will be okay.
As for the 10 cord, you will not have 10 cord once it is bucked up, split and stacked so you very well may have enough room. How do you plan on stacking it? Hopefully outside where it can get wind.
As for the state land, it used to be a freebie but is not that way today. I received this from the DNR just a week ago:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 7, 2014
Contact: Doug Heym, 517-284-5867 or
Ed Golder, 517-284-5815
Fuelwood permits available from the DNR In response to residents’ heating energy needs during Michigan’s exceptional winter, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that it is now selling fuelwood permits – a month and a half before the traditional starting date of April 1.
“Michigan’s vast forest resources provide many products and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors,” said Bill O’Neill, chief of the DNR’s Forest Resources Division, who also serves as state forester. “In addition to those who use firewood when hunting or camping, others rely on this resource to heat their homes at a lower cost.”
Fuelwood permits cost $20, are for use on designated state forest land in the northern two-thirds of the state and allow for collection of up to five standard cords of wood per household. Fuelwood collected with the permit can be used for personal use only and cannot be resold or traded. The permits are good for 90 days.
Because of the unique winter, one additional fuelwood permit may be purchased this calendar year, in addition to this emergency permit.
A person may qualify for reimbursement if enrolled in the Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) run by the Michigan Department of Human Services.
Areas likely open for fuelwood collection are recent commercial timber harvesting operations on state forest land. Tops, branches and trees on the ground can be collected. Check with your local DNR office for other available options for fuelwood collection.
Fuelwood permits can be obtained at DNR field offices and operations service centers. These offices will also have information on loggers who are working on DNR timber sales on state land who might have wood available for sale or collection.
In the southern Lower Peninsula, there is no state forest land but there are state game areas that are managed primarily for wildlife habitat.
“In some areas, dead trees are not important components of the desired wildlife habitat; therefore, firewood permits are issued for those areas,” said Doug Reeves, assistant chief of the DNR’s Wildlife Division. “In other areas, dead trees, limbs and piles of woody debris provide important den, nest and feeding sites for the wildlife species -- no firewood permits are issued for those areas.”
As another option for folks looking to heat their homes with wood, the DNR is working with the Michigan Association of Timbermen (MAT) to connect people with loggers who are selling fuelwood.
According to MAT’s executive director Brenda Owen, the organization has approximately 400 members across the state, many of whom are involved with selling fuelwood. For more information about MAT and its members, visit www.timbermen.org or call 906-293-3236.
In addition to DNR fuelwood permits, the U.S. Forest Service offers permits for gathering dead and down firewood; these cost $20 and are issued at district offices. These federal permits are available for the Ottawa, Hiawatha and Huron-Manistee national forests in Michigan. Firewood cutting permits do not authorize the cutting of live trees.
For more information about the DNR’s fuelwood permits, visit www.michigan.gov/fuelwood.
Many years ago I did quite a bit of cutting on state land but was lucky in that they had an area they wanted clear cut and gave me permission to cut at will. That also was back when the permits were free. But in most areas, the pickings can be pretty light as you are limited to the stuff that is on the ground and can't take a vehicle off the road to haul the wood either.
I would advise the log load for sure so long as you can determine what wood you are getting. If you don't have enough room, I'm sure you could sell some or perhaps you know someone who might go half and half with you on the log load.
btw, we live about 40 miles from you but it is always good to see a fellow Michigander on the forum and there are many.
