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Choosing Dry Wood
More than 50% of the weight of fresh cut wood can be water. That’s why wet or “green” wood is hard to light, doesn’t produce nearly as much heat as dry wood, and releases clouds of smoke. It takes from six months to a year to dry wood properly. Dry wood has a water content of 15%-25% by weight. Some of the signs of properly dry wood are loose bark and radial cracks in the ends of the logs. Dry wood should have a faded, lighter color, and won’t smell as much as green wood. Dry wood makes a “crack” when two pieces are hit together. Green wood makes more of a “thud.”
How To Store Wood
Drying wood gives off a lot of water. To prevent rot and speed drying, you should provide good air circulation around the woodpile. Go ahead and cover your wood with a waterproof tarp, but make sure you let the sides of the pile breathe. A woodpile is heavy, and needs a good foundation. Use a few boards or a used pallet to keep your wood level and off the ground. Open-sided sheds offer an ideal way to store wood and keep it dry.
How Much Wood Is In A Cord?
A standard cord of wood is a unit of volume. A cord is 8 feet long, 4 feet high and 4 feet wide or 128 cubic feet. But the type of wood and how the wood is stacked mean that the amount of wood in cord can vary by a considerable amount. A “run” is 1/3 of a cord and measures 8 feet by 4 feet by 16 inches. A “face cord” is a non-standard measurement. Generally it is 8 feet by 4 feet high, one length of wood deep. Note that depth can vary considerably, making a “face cord” an imprecise term at best. If you buy over-length logs and cut them to fit your firebox, remember that cutting converts a significant amount to sawdust, not to mention wasting time and effort.
More Helpful Articles On Wood Heat Can Be Found At:
CHOOSING What is best for you...
When planning your selection of a heating appliance two important factors must be considered. The first of these is the fuel you wish to burn: wood or gas (natural gas or propane).
Wood is the traditional fuel for stoves and fireplaces. Wood creates a hot and cheerful fire. If you are thinking about wood as a fuel, consider that you will need a reliable source of quality cordwood.
Gas is a reliable and easy to use fuel, which will provide a fire every bit as lovely as a wood fire. Gas appliances have the advantage of using a thermostat to regulate the temperature in the home, providing hands-off heating. If you choose gas for your fuel, you will need to ensure your home is plumbed for natural gas or have propane (LP) gas service established.
The second factor to consider is whether you wish to purchase a freestanding stove (available for wood or gas fuel), a fireplace insert (also available for wood or gas fuel) or a fireplace (available for gas fuel only).
Freestanding stoves have the benefit of providing radiant heat from all sides as well as natural and fan assisted convection of warm air. Freestanding stoves are generally the easiest appliance to install because they can be placed almost anywhere in a home.
Fireplace inserts provide an attractive way to upgrade an existing masonry or steel wood-burning fireplace into an efficient, heat source. Inserts can burn wood or gas fuel. Gas inserts require a natural or LP gas connection into the fireplace. All inserts require a flue liner running the length of the existing chimney.
A fireplace is always a centerpiece for a room. Gas fireplaces are efficient heaters and have a realistic, dancing fire. Because of the additional construction required to enclose a fireplace and the chimney, fireplaces require more planning and alteration to the home.
Green from the Beginning