Wood is measured by the cord, a dry volume. A cord is 4 feet high by 8 feet long by 4 feet deep and contains about 220 to 240 pieces of wood.
Our company sells firewood by the half or full face cord. If you are familiar with the term face cord, then a face cord is a third of a cord.
Burning 1 or 2 fires a week, a face cord usually lasts a full season. Of course, if you burn fires more frequently, or it is an unusually long winter, you need to increase that amount accordingly.
It is recommended that firewood be stacked onto a base that will support the weight. This base should be at least 2 or 3 inches off the ground. It is a good idea to allow as much air circulation as possible to facilitate the drying process. The firewood should be stored outdoors and may be covered with a tarp over the top half for protection from the elements. By leaving the bottom half uncovered, it allows for good air flow. If you choose to store your wood indoors, be sure the wood is dry.
Usually a 2 or 3 day supply is a good rule of thumb. Placing cold wood on the fire will cool down the temperature of the existing fire and make the heating less efficient.
Generally wood takes about six months to a year before it is ready to burn. It will take that long for the sap to thoroughly dry. If the wood has not dried sufficiently, it will have too much sap remaining, i.e. too wet. Under-seasoned wood, sometimes referred to as “green,” will not burn well. To tell if the firewood is ready to burn, look at the ends. They should be cracked, no longer reddish or golden in color, and not have a woody smell. If you knock two logs together, the will make a sharp, ringing sound.
We generally sell seasoned or dried wood. You would need to make a special request from green wood.
In Ottawa the price for one cord of split, seasoned hardwood is about $100 to $180. The cost will vary depending on the type of wood you choose, if you have it delivered and/or stacked.
On the retail level in Canada, firewood can be sold two ways:
Chimneys should be cleaned at least once a year. The chimney provides air flow to the fireplace or stove. If the wood is too wet, it will emit creosote, which is unburned gasses. Creosote is a sticky and highly flammable substance that can accumulate in the flue impeding air flow. A clean chimney is essential to your safety.
A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is a measurement of energy output. It is the amount of energy needed to raise the heat of one pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. So, 1 BTU calculates to 1,055 joules, or 252 calories, or 0.293 watt hours, or the energy released by burning a single match.
