Knowing the right amount of firewood to buy can be critical to your family's comfort if you are among the people who rely on wood or pellet stoves for home heating in the winter. According to the U.S. Census, just under 2% of American households heat their homes with wood. It doesn't seem like a lot, but millions of families rely on their firewood company to deliver the correct amount of fuel to make it through the winter.

How Is Firewood Measured?

Your firewood company may use numerous terms to describe the amount of wood you will receive: cord, face cord, bush cord, rick, and truckload. However, only one term has a legal definition: the full cord. According to the Vanderburgh County Weights and Measures Department, this volume measurement must equal 128 cubic feet, stacked with as few gaps as possible, all pieces parallel. Usually, a cord measures 4 ft by 8 ft by 4 ft. You may also hear the term "face cord" which is the same length and height, 4 ft by 8ft, but it's a single stack of wood.

 

How Many Cords of Wood Will Heat a Home?

Three to six cords usually heat 1000 square feet of space through the winter. Besides the correct measurements for a cord, however, several additional factors will affect the amount of wood you should store for the winter:

1. Is the wood seasoned?
2. How is your firewood being stored?
3. Where do you live?
4. Is it hardwood or softwood?

How Long Should Wood Season?

When wood seasons, it dries. According to the EPA, for wood to burn efficiently, it must have a water content of less than 20%. The University of Kentucky recommends allowing the wood to season for six months outdoors, with only the top of the pile covered. Place the wood on a pallet or use boards, bricks, or stone blocks to create air space under your woodpile.

You can also invest in kiln-dried wood. Through kiln drying, the wood is pest-free and mold-free, plus it's easier to light and produces less smoke. This type of wood is naturally seasoned, so it's ready to use when you buy it. Be sure to store this type of wood indoors.

What Are the Differences Between Hardwood and Softwood?

Softwood refers to pine, fir, cedar, and spruce, and they make great kindling. It lights faster but creates more buildup, known as creosote. Creosote is what builds up in chimneys and woodstoves, and if not properly cleaned, too much of it could lead to a house fire. Hardwoods take longer to light, burn longer, and produce less creosote, making them more efficient overnight.

When you need a reliable firewood company, call Firewood Fellas. We're also happy to answer any questions you may have about how much of what type you should get. We're here to help!