Save $$$ - Heat with Wood

[4570Man]

A question for those that sell cord wood...do you pre-stack the wood to know when you have a cord?
Do you use a predetermined size container like a truck bed or trailer?

Did you first stack a full cord and then load the container?

I realize every split is not the same size but it can be averaged...anyone have a loose/rough idea of a count on the number of "average sized" splits in a cord?

That's the most accurate way. I've found my truck holds 3 rick loose. My tractor bucket holds 1/3 rick stacked, and I've got a rick rack. I've got another basket that takes 3 baskets to make 2 rick.

 

[LD1]

A question for those that sell cord wood...do you pre-stack the wood to know when you have a cord?
Do you use a predetermined size container like a truck bed or trailer?

Did you first stack a full cord and then load the container?

I realize every split is not the same size but it can be averaged...anyone have a loose/rough idea of a count on the number of "average sized" splits in a cord?

Never counted the number pieces. So no clue.

Split and stacked out it's easy to measure.

My 7x12 dump trailer, rounded off nicely, is one cord.

An 8' bed pickup tossed on and heaping I believe is about a half cord.

Short bed truck, stacked and lightly rounded, also half cord.

8' bed, 1' side boards, and all you can stack on rounded to top of cab in middle, 1 cord.

 

[4570Man]

You have to assign a dollar amount on the wood or you are just fooling yourself into thinking you are saving money when you really might be loosing money. Just depends on what firewood, and alternative fuel sources sell for in your area.

Don't believe in the logic of "well I keep it warmer and therefore more comfortable to lounge around with wood". A heat pump, Geo, propane, natural gas, electric, etc. All capable of doing the same thing.

Cost more you say?....well remember, wood has a dollar value to. So the more you burn, the more you spend.

Like I said, a cord goes for $160 here.

I enjoy cutting.

So I can either burn it in the house and deal with the mess, or I can sell it and buy a cleaner heat. Then I don't have to ever worry about a chimney fire, added ins cost, fire going out when gone all day, and never have to worry about running out of wood. Therefore I can cut whenever I want, and not because I must to stay warm. Whole lot more enjoyable and relaxing doing something just because you enjoy it, rather than because you have to.

I've got a natural gas furnace. It's not like my options are burn wood or freeze to death. It still cost me less to burn the wood I could have sold. Based solely upon dollar amounts it's probably not worth the additional work, but I like the wood heat. And the highest percentage of my timber comes from tree guys. A lot of it is crap that I can't sell. My stove and my grandpas stove don't seem to complain that the wood is crap.

 

[LD1]

One cord

 

[LD1]

Also cords

 

[LD1]

I've got a natural gas furnace. It's not like my options are burn wood or freeze to death. It still cost me less to burn the wood I could have sold. Based solely upon dollar amounts it's probably not worth the additional work, but I like the wood heat. And the highest percentage of my timber comes from tree guys. A lot of it is crap that I can't sell. My stove and my grandpas stove don't seem to complain that the wood is crap.

Either you have really high natural gas prices, or really low wood prices. Or have figured out how to get 90+% efficiency out of heating wood. Or some combination of those three

 

[4570Man]

Either you have really high natural gas prices, or really low wood prices. Or have figured out how to get 90+% efficiency out of heating wood. Or some combination of those three

I get $50 per rick for wood. On paper 3 rick of 16" wood would be a cord. I've found it's a little more. So my wood prices are very similar to yours. My stove is supposed to be around 80 percent efficient. I don't know what the natural gas rate is. And that's beside the point that a lot of the wood I burn is un sellable crap.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Often it's more a Socioeconomic issue. Like the guy that claims he would only buy a used truck to avoid the depreciation. Never says, he can't afford new vehicles.

I like the line about "liking wood heat". What the heck is that? Some kind of different heat? Hotter then heck and lacking any moisture. Ash flying in the air. The occasional burn from your arm touching the door is nice too.

I heat on and off with wood. It's on the property, needs to be cleaned up, is good exercise and a good thing to do with a friend. Good sense of accomplishment, like a squirrel having stored its nuts for the winter.

I have seriously considered an outside boiler but the house is not set up for hydronic heating or forced air. I wonder if the chore of fueling the boiler would grow old fast? Sometimes during a cold spell, I keep a stove going for days, and then with a sense of relief, just abandon it. Generally, my weekend lady friend keeps the fires burning.

As far as the economics. I think delivering Pizzas or driving a Taxi would yield a better, easier income.

 

[3930dave]

One nice thing about wood heat no one's mentioned so far is somewhat intangible, but the house just feels warmer. A thermometer can read the same temperature when we run the oil furnace, but the house doesn't feel the same.
The woodstove hearth is a great place to dry boots, gloves, etc...nice & warm when you put them on. :thumbsup: I love it, wouldn't dream of heating any other way.

Wood is a constant/even heat - one of the reasons I like radiant/hydronic from an external boiler.

Gas/oil/propane all need hysteresis (a couple of degrees swing) in the control stat. Least swing is with electric resistance heat, but that became un-affordable here a very long time ago....

In our climate, what people often notice is that you get warm air from heat pumps, as opposed to hot from combustion based furnaces. Both can get the job done, but with different "comfort" perceptions/experiences.

Rgds, D

 

[turnkey4099]

I could do that every other year and I may take that approach next year, but I definitely want to get up top periodically to wire brush the louvers on the chimney cap. They accumulate ash over time and close up the area which will start to restrict flow. And it's good to periodically inspect the ran pan, collar, etc.

I was woken up at zero dark 30 by the CO monitor screaming. Opened doors windows, checked around. Couldn't find any problems and the monitor stopped. Went back to bed and checked the chimneyi in the morning. The bird screen on the cap was totally blocked by soot. Screen removed and no more problems since. I clean the chimney every heating season. Get about 1 lb coffee can of grey powdery stuff.