Owning and operating a fireplace
or wood stove can be extremely beneficial for many reasons. Not only does it provide a more natural means of heat, but it is a hotter heat. Of course, operating and maintaining a fireplace or wood stove isn’t as easy as just flipping a mechanical switch. Not only will you have to make sure that your fireplace is clean, but you are going to have to make sure that you are stocked with the appropriate amount of wood.
So, how long does a cord of wood last?
A cord of wood should last anywhere from 2 to 4 months. Keep in mind, The burning length and BTUs of each type of wood is going to be different based on specific properties of that wood.
This is why it is best to just go by a rule of thumb. A basic rule of thumb is that a 1000 square foot home will consume three cords of wood per year. If you have a 3,000 square foot home, you are going to need at least six cords of wood.
How Many Cords Of Wood Do I Need For Winter
You can ask every homeowner how many cords of wood they store for the winter and you are probably going to get different answers every time. Some homeowners will under purchase while others overdo it. There really is nothing wrong with either, but both could cost you extra money.
If you don’t buy enough it means that you are going to need to make another trip back to the wood vendor. If you buy too much you might end up with more wood than you actually use. Of course, you can save it until next year, but that is neither here nor there.
The Average Cost Per Cord
Whether you have been a fireplace owner for years or you just bought your first fireplace, you are going to need to stock it with wood. However, before doing just that, you need some kind of basic idea as to what this is going to cost you. Keep in mind that every home is different with different needs.
The specific type of wood that you choose can play a huge factor in the overall cost. The age of the wood can also factor in.
Any homeowner can expect to pay anywhere from $120 to $180 for a cord of hardwood. This will be hardwood that is already seasoned and split.
Pretty much this means that the wood is chopped, seasoned, and ready to burn. Keep in mind that this is just the average cost. Some customers have reported paying as much as $220 to $400 per cord.
How Much Is A Pickup Truck Load Of Wood
Summer might seem like it is right around the corner, but as much as you might not want to admit it there is still plenty of chilly weather left.
There might not be any more snow or negative temperatures, but the weather hasn’t reached the point where you no longer need heat.
This is why it is important to make sure that you are still stocked up on wood. You also need a way to transport the wood. Most people just use a regular pickup truck, which really is the perfect tool for the job.
So, how much wood can one load into the back of a pickup truck?
8-Foot Bed
You might be shocked to learn that people are always asking how much wood they can get in the back of their pickup truck. After all, this is one of the most common ways to transport firewood.
Well, a pickup truck with an eight-foot bed can hold right around ½ a cord of firewood. A six-foot bed will only be able to hold 1/3 cords.
Keep in mind that these numbers are based on certain cutting and stacking procedures. At the end of the day, it is going to come down to the type of wood that you are hauling, how it is cut, and how it is split.
More Hauling Capacity
It is without a doubt easier and quicker to haul around logs or stumps of wood. It might be heavier, but it is easier to load. In addition to this, you can’t get as much. If the wood is split, you are going to be able to carry more in a single trip.
The same can be said if the wood is neatly stacked in the bed. Simply throwing the wood in the back of the bed is easier, but neatly stacking it will give you more capacity.
When you take the time to make sure that you are maximizing your pickup’s hauling capacity, you will be saving yourself money on fuel.
Increase Your Hauling Space
Did you know that you could even get more out of your pickup truck? That’s right if you choose to add sideboard on your truck, you could evenly potentially haul twice as much wood.
That being said, you have to be extremely careful that you don’t overload your spring.
Putting too much weight in the back of your truck could have negative effects on the shocks and springs. Half a cord of firewood will weight right around 2 tons.
Some species of wood might even weigh more, but if your truck is not designed for these limits, you need to be careful.
Make sure that you never exceed your truck’s weight limits because it is not only dangerous for the truck, but it is dangerous to other drivers.
Conclusion
Firewood is an essential accessory for any fireplace. You simply cannot heat your home without it. The fact of the matter is that there are tons of different types of wood available and each species of wood is going to run you a different price, but if you want to use a fireplace, you are going to need wood.
Plus, you always have the option of cutting and seasoning your own.
