Upstate NY? Me too. Ever drive down I-90 and just imagine if you had access to those millions of dead ash trees standing along the highway? I think about that every time. Thousands of years of heat rotting by the side of the road.
why is firewood so expensive?
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It feels expensive. But if you think of the time it takes to make a cord to sell, the seller is making maybe five to ten bucks an hour.
I haven't purchased split firewood for 35 years. Only time was the first year in this house (36 years ago). But I see wood delivered 250 - 300 per cord in Southeastern Pennsylvania (about 50 miles north of Philly). I do buy logs and have paid between 60 - 100 per cord depending on who I get them from. Loggers are at the top end but the logs are straight and easier to cut.
It feels expensive, yes. But it costs me about the same per BTU as my natural gas furnace (our main heat), and gas is relatively cheap.
Firewood has a ton of labor in it. To test that sentence, go find dead trees on the ground that are allowed to be taken, cut them in 16 " lengths, haul them out, then split it all. And what would you want to charge per face cord including delivery. I figure the guys are making about $5/hour when they charge me $70/face cord delivered. If that.
When I do it myself, the labor time is even higher, even though I haul it maybe ten feet from my neighbor's yard, Because I split it all with a maul.
It's like gasoline. Even at $4/gallon it's cheap (more like $8 in Europe, closer to the actual price). But it certainly does feel expensive.
Firewood has a ton of labor in it. To test that sentence, go find dead trees on the ground that are allowed to be taken, cut them in 16 " lengths, haul them out, then split it all. And what would you want to charge per face cord including delivery. I figure the guys are making about $5/hour when they charge me $70/face cord delivered. If that.
When I do it myself, the labor time is even higher, even though I haul it maybe ten feet from my neighbor's yard, Because I split it all with a maul.
It's like gasoline. Even at $4/gallon it's cheap (more like $8 in Europe, closer to the actual price). But it certainly does feel expensive.
I just paid $275 a cord, delivered. Quality hardwood. My supplier is very reputable. I plan for three years out so not worried about how “dry” it is. I’ve learned over the years that it’s all wet, no matter what they say. Two cords will get me through a winter, maybe longer. That keeps the house as warm as I want it. I’d pay that any day VS running gas and keeping the house at 67. I used to scrounge and cut and split my own. But I’m getting too old for that now. Plus it’s very time consuming. To me, it’s a very reasonable price for what u get in return.
GG Woody
Feeling the Heat
If firewood price doubled, I could justify selling some.
I'm sure that I have too much wood now but certainly can't justify selling it for anywhere near the current price.
If only I could be the gas stations supplier of the three splits and a bit of kindling bundle for $12...
I'm sure that I have too much wood now but certainly can't justify selling it for anywhere near the current price.
If only I could be the gas stations supplier of the three splits and a bit of kindling bundle for $12...
If that’s the case brace yourself for all the “why won’t my stove heat my house” (wet wood) posts this upcoming season 😬🍿
One thing I don’t (and probably never will) understand is people whining about the high cost of energy, but not doing anything to help their situation out.
When I go onto Nextdoor there are always posts about the energy bill. These bills are often 6x what mine is. I doubt these folks are living in palaces. I guarantee that there are ways to lower their bills. They aren’t interested…
When I go onto Nextdoor there are always posts about the energy bill. These bills are often 6x what mine is. I doubt these folks are living in palaces. I guarantee that there are ways to lower their bills. They aren’t interested…
GG Woody
Feeling the Heat
People that will drive a pickup truck hours round trip for a few bites of food, or a haircut in a different city and then complain about gas prices...
People that will fly across the world to sit on a beach, entitled to fly all over the planet but it is too expensive... And then complain about...
I'll stop there... So true...
