I started into winter with about 5-1/2 cords of seasoned birch.
Here in Alaska we have 3 real cold months, Dec thru Feb.
Since I don't have enough to heat the house the whole winter, I burn on the days
it's below 30 °F . When above 30, I let the 2X4 box on the wall, manage the house temp
at 68 in the day & 66 at night.
The woodpile management I use is to try to alway have about a cord of seasoned wood in the pile.
This is the emergency wood, in case of a major "earthquake", N gas line break, power outage etc.
A cord will get me thru about 3 weeks if really cold, & 4 weeks if I need to miser it.
I plan/planned to have more wood, but don't. So I manage it with care. Now I'm burning because "I
want to" & it saves the N gas bill $ & it's been -10 to +10 °F . But when down to 1 cord left, the thermostat takes over.
Having that cord of wood in reserve, just in case "I need to burn wood" is as much like the reason I installed
a wood stove, "Emergency back-up". I like to save $ & the warmth & feel of a good wood fire is a "want".
The "need" to burn wood, may be essential to protect my home & stay warm in the event of an emergency.
Tip: never burn all the wood you have, save some just in case you may "need" it.
Here in Alaska we have 3 real cold months, Dec thru Feb.
Since I don't have enough to heat the house the whole winter, I burn on the days
it's below 30 °F . When above 30, I let the 2X4 box on the wall, manage the house temp
at 68 in the day & 66 at night.
The woodpile management I use is to try to alway have about a cord of seasoned wood in the pile.
This is the emergency wood, in case of a major "earthquake", N gas line break, power outage etc.
A cord will get me thru about 3 weeks if really cold, & 4 weeks if I need to miser it.
I plan/planned to have more wood, but don't. So I manage it with care. Now I'm burning because "I
want to" & it saves the N gas bill $ & it's been -10 to +10 °F . But when down to 1 cord left, the thermostat takes over.
Having that cord of wood in reserve, just in case "I need to burn wood" is as much like the reason I installed
a wood stove, "Emergency back-up". I like to save $ & the warmth & feel of a good wood fire is a "want".
The "need" to burn wood, may be essential to protect my home & stay warm in the event of an emergency.
Tip: never burn all the wood you have, save some just in case you may "need" it.
