Firewood offers a great heating solution for any home with a fireplace, wood stove, or fire pit. It really does come hand in hand with a whole host of advantages. When you opt for firewood, you choose a renewable energy source. Also, you gain control over the amount of energy you use and are able to create a cozy environment in your dwelling. Still one question remains: “How much firewood do I need?”.
We are Flathead Father N’ Son, your reputable local firewood experts. We know the ins and outs of fire fuel and its uses. Our team is here to give you expert advice on how much firewood should suffice for your home. Here’s some information that ought to help you make the right decision.
Consider the Outdoor Temperature
Figuring out how much firewood you need for the winter months in Northwest Montana is a bit challenging. The amount of firewood you’ll need depends on several factors, including outdoor temperature, preferable indoor temperature, type of firewood you’d like to use, and others.
In Flathead Valley, the average winter temperature can range from 15-30 degrees Fahrenheit, with occasional drops below zero. To stay comfortable during the colder months, it’s recommended to keep your indoor temperature between 64 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. To bring the temperature up from 15 to 65 degrees, you’ll need to provide approximately 45 BTUs (British Thermal Units) per square foot of space in your home.
One cord of seasoned Larch firewood, which is a common softwood in Northwest Montana, provides around 25-27 million BTUs. For seasoned Douglas fir, popular softwood fuel in the region, one cord provides around 20-22 million BTUs. This means that to heat a 1,500 square foot home with Larch logs, you’ll need approximately 2.5-3 cords per winter. When it comes to Douglas fir, you’ll need around 3-3.5 cords to achieve the same amount of heat. That being said, the cold season lasts longer than just the winter season. Normally, it starts in October and ends in April. Hence, to stay warm during colder autumn and spring months, you need the same volume of firewood as in winter.
Please keep in mind that these calculations are based on several assumptions. These include the insulation and energy efficiency of your home as well as the outdoor temperature variations throughout the winter season. It’s always a good idea to have a bit of extra firewood by the cord on hand, just in case the winter turns out to be colder than expected.
Firewood and Other Heat Sources
If you rely on burning firewood to heat your entire property, you’ll need a lot more than if you burn it for a cozy feel in a single room. Hence, it is important to consider whether you use just wood fuel or pair it with other heat sources.
So, we already calculated that you’re likely to need 3-4 firewood cords per winter on average, or 6-8 cords for the entire cold season. That’s if firewood is your primary source of heat. On the other hand, if you’re only planning to use firewood as a supplementary heat source, you may require one or two cords of firewood per season.
Consider the Size of Your Room or Home
Another huge factor in how much firewood you need is the size of the room you’re going to heat or the size of your entire property. Larger rooms take more energy and fire fuel to heat up. It is because they have larger surface areas, through which they can lose thermal energy, than smaller rooms. Hence, if your house has many smaller rooms, rather than a few larger ones, you’ll need less wood to buy.
How Much Firewood Do I Need? Ask Experts
As you can see, there are a number of different factors that can impact how much burn wood you should buy. If you’re still unsure, don’t hesitate to get in touch. A friendly member of our team will listen to your individual needs and give you tailored advice.
If you ever try to go into the forest to find dead-standing trees, cut, split, and transport them back to your home, you will understand the amount of effort it takes to harvest firewood. Luckily, you don’t have to do it yourself. At Flathead Father N’ Son, your local firewood supplier, we do all the hard work so that you can relax by a fireplace. We sell firewood by the cord, face cords, and even in bundles to let you choose the amount suitable for your needs. If you’re looking for great-quality wood fuel in Flathead Valley, you’ve come to the right place. We are happy to deliver it to your doorsteps and, if you require, stack it for you.
