I thought it might be intresting too see the differences in annual wood consumption region to region, stove to stove. I'm aware that the variables are endless. The poll is unscientific. Please vote and also leave a response including your selection and the some of the specific variables that bring you to that number Ps I've never started a poll before I hope this works!
My house was built around the idea of wood heat. It's small well insulated and my stove is efficient. I use about 2.5 cord a year.
4-5 cords, 1900 sq ft with a much too small insert as the workhorse in coastal Mass. Insulation is pretty decent, windows are not but are being addressed.
Typically 3.25-3.5 Last 2 years being extra cold and snowy, around 4.25-4.5 I think this year will be like the last 2 seasons.....
I voted 3-5 as that was the range with my old stove. Looking forward to seeing how much I use this winter with my new WS Fireview. Variables: ~2500 sq ft two story (2x6 walls, good attic insulation, poor windows all sealed with 3m kits) target temp range 70-72 day, down to 65 at night is OK 28 foot class A on high ground (installed key damper - not sure if/how I will used it) mixed hardwoods (white & red oak, black cherry, elm)
Yeah well seasoned, we are expecting colder than average here too. Harvestman keep us posted on that Fireview. Woodstock makes some damm fine looking stoves.
Almost invariably 5 full. I voted 5-7, but could have gone 3-5. As I've mentioned in the past, in more recent years the BTU count has dropped as I've been using more and more Pine and Maple. When we first got here, it was all Oak, all the time. 5 cords of Oak isn't the same as 5 cords of mixed. Last 2 winters were bad. I thought for sure, with the new stove, I'd use less, but nope. That's what happens when the temps stay lower than normal....longer than normal. Some other variables that I won't mention, but the insulation has been somewhat improved, with more to go. Need....NEED, new windows in the stove room. Those have to wait until next year. New attic stair hatch insulated cover which helped a lot, and I may put a new storm door in the back of the house before the cold hits. With a house built back in the early 70's, I struggle with what is now considered crappy workmanship (I would have considered it crappy back then too).
Heat with a owb, in a old farm house that leaks air like crazy, but it's getting better with better windows tyvek and more insulation in redone rooms, west central Wisconsin, and I burn anything and everything for wood, so long as it's at least somewhat dry, summers have been pretty busy but I'm hoping to get 4 years ahead next summer
Uphill battle Shaggy! Keep up the good fight. With the amount you must burn four years ahead is quite a feat!
Oh it is, but it helps all the wood I've been getting is from the wood dump about 6 miles away, so getting a full cord in a day with the pickup and a trailer isn't a gigantic undertaking.
I voted 1-3. Hardy outdoor wood furnace heating about 1700 sq ft. Plus domestic hot water. Insulation isn't the best, but not the minimal either. 2.5 is my normal use.
This will be my first year burning, so I did not vote. Great thread! Good to see everyone's high-level breakdown. I have 2,350 sq ft ranch built in 2001 with good blown-in attic insulation, 2x4 walls with batt insulation, and average windows/doors. Have the Woodstock IS. I've already purchased a little over a cord of mixed, with plans to buy 3 more. (Going cl shopping for the free stuff for '16-'17) hope that'll be enough btus!
Historically we did 6-8 with old pre-epa stove in old house. First winter in new home was about the same with 2 stoves, a dilapidated cat stove and a second pre-epa stove. Second winter in new home, replaced both stoves, 8 tons of pellets, and 2-3 cords through xsmall epa insert.
last winter 12 plus but inefficient stove and wood must have not been seasoned enough. 85 % sugar maple..
