Homestead Firewood Needs Calculator
Created by: Ethan Brooks
Last updated:
Estimate how many cords of firewood you need for winter heating. Enter your home size, climate zone, stove efficiency, and preferred wood type to get accurate fuel requirements with storage and cost estimates.
Homestead Firewood Needs Calculator
HomesteadingEstimate cords of wood needed for heating based on your home, climate, and stove.
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What is a Homestead Firewood Needs Calculator?
A Homestead Firewood Needs Calculator estimates how many cords of wood you need to heat your home through winter. By entering your home size, climate, stove efficiency, and wood type, you get a realistic firewood budget that accounts for BTU requirements and real-world heating conditions.
The calculator helps you plan purchases, harvesting, and storage — especially important since firewood needs 6-18 months to season properly. Knowing your annual needs now means having dry, ready-to-burn wood when you need it.
Firewood BTU Comparison
| Wood Type | Million BTU/Cord | Density | Seasoning Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak (White) | 29.1 | Very Heavy | 18 mo |
| Oak (Red) | 27 | Heavy | 18 mo |
| Hickory | 30.6 | Very Heavy | 12 mo |
| Maple (Sugar/Hard) | 29 | Heavy | 12 mo |
| Maple (Red) | 24 | Medium | 12 mo |
| Ash | 24.2 | Medium | 6 mo |
| Beech | 27.5 | Heavy | 12 mo |
| Birch | 23.8 | Medium | 12 mo |
| Cherry | 20.4 | Medium | 6 mo |
| Black Walnut | 22.2 | Medium | 12 mo |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cords of firewood do I need for winter?
It depends on climate, home size, and insulation. A well-insulated 1,500 sq ft home in a moderate climate (4,500 HDD) needs 3-4 cords using a modern EPA stove as primary heat. In a cold climate (7,000 HDD), expect 5-7 cords. Poorly insulated homes can use 50% more.
How much is a cord of firewood?
A cord is a stack 4 ft × 4 ft × 8 ft = 128 cubic feet. Prices range from $150-250 for softwood to $250-400+ for premium hardwood (oak, hickory), depending on your region. A "face cord" or "rick" (4x8x16") is typically 1/3 of a full cord.
What is the best firewood for heat?
Hickory (30.6 million BTU/cord) and white oak (29.1 million BTU/cord) provide the most heat. These dense hardwoods burn longer and produce better coals. Ash is popular because it seasons quickly and burns clean. Avoid unseasoned wood and softwoods as primary heat sources.
How long does firewood need to season?
Most hardwoods need 6-18 months to season properly (under 20% moisture). Ash and cherry season in 6 months; oak takes 12-18 months; black locust needs up to 24 months. Stack wood off the ground with airflow and cover the top only.
How efficient are wood stoves?
Old stoves and fireplaces are 25-40% efficient (most heat goes up the chimney). Modern EPA-certified stoves are 70-80% efficient. Catalytic stoves reach 80-85%. A high-efficiency stove can cut your wood consumption nearly in half compared to an old stove.
Sources and References
- University of Maine Cooperative Extension, "Heating with Wood", Bulletin 7084, 2023
- EPA, "Burn Wise: Choosing the Right Wood Stove", 2024
- Chimney Safety Institute of America, "Firewood BTU Charts", 2023