How Much Firewood Do I Need for a Season?
Winter is approaching, and homeowners everywhere ask themselves: how much firewood do I need to keep my home warm, cozy, and energy-efficient all season long?
Buying too little can leave you shivering in the cold, while buying too much may be expensive and take up unnecessary space.
Calculating firewood needs depends on several factors: your home’s size, the efficiency of your stove or fireplace, the type of wood you burn, and the length of your heating season.
If you’re in Ontario, firewood suppliers make this much easier by offering seasoned hardwoods cut to standard sizes, so you can focus on calculating how much you need instead of worrying about quality.
This guide will break down the math and provide practical storage advice so you can plan confidently for the season ahead.
Let’s get started.
How Much Firewood Per Season?
As we already established, determining your firewood needs starts with a few key considerations: your home’s size, heating system, wood type, and the length of winter.
1. Assess Your Home’s Heating Requirements
Your home’s size significantly influences how much wood you’ll need:
- Small homes (under 1,000 sq. ft.): 2–3 cords per season.
- Medium homes (1,000–2,000 sq. ft.): 3–5 cords.
- Large homes (over 2,000 sq. ft.): 4–6 cords or more.
A cord is the standard measurement: 4 ft high, 4 ft wide, and 8 ft long (128 cubic feet). Knowing this ensures accurate planning and prevents overbuying.
Keep in mind: One cord can roughly heat a small home for a whole season, depending on your stove type and wood efficiency.
2. Consider Your Stove or Fireplace Type
Efficiency varies widely between open fireplaces and modern wood stoves:
- High-efficiency stoves can reduce wood use by 25–30%.
- Open fireplaces often consume 50% more wood due to heat loss.
For older homes with poor insulation, you may need extra wood to maintain warmth. Modern homes with efficient heating will use less.
Quick tip: Modern stoves save money on firewood and provide consistent heat, so they’re definitely worth the investment.
3. Choose the Right Type of Wood
Choosing the right type of firewood matters because different woods burn differently:
- Hardwoods (oak, maple, hickory): Burn longer and hotter, fewer cords required.
- Softwoods (pine, fir, spruce): Burn faster, produce more sparks, require more frequent replenishment.
Obviously, hardwoods and softwoods aren’t the same. Hardwoods make a great choice for long, cold winders, while softwoods suit shorter heating periods or quick heat bursts. Mixing hardwoods with a small portion of softwoods can help ignite fires faster while still providing long-lasting heat.
Pro tip: Ordering mixed cords from a trusted source like Timber Ridge Firewood can give you the best of both worlds—easy-starting softwoods and long-lasting hardwoods delivered together.
Burn Time by Wood Type
Knowing how long each type of wood burns can help you plan your supply efficiently:
| Wood Type | Burn Time per 20kg | Notes |
| Oak (hardwood) | 1.5–2 hours | Long-lasting, high heat output |
| Maple (hardwood) | 1.5 hours | Consistent burn, minimal sparks |
| Hickory (hardwood) | 2 hours | Hot and long burn, ideal for winter |
| Ash (hardwood) | 1.5–2 hours | Burns well even when slightly green |
| Beech (hardwood) | 1.5–2 hours | Excellent heat and slow burn |
| Pine (softwood) | 30–60 mins | Burns quickly, produces more sparks |
| Fir (softwood) | 45–60 mins | Good for quick heat, lighter wood |
| Spruce (softwood) | 30–50 mins | Fast burn, often used for kindling |
Quick tip: Rotate wood types in your stove. Start with softwoods to ignite quickly, then add hardwoods for long-lasting warmth.
Firewood Calculator: Estimate Your Needs
Here’s a simple approach to calculate firewood per season:
Step 1: Determine Base Requirement
- Small home: 2–3 cords
- Medium home: 3–5 cords
- Large home: 4–6 cords
Step 2: Adjust for Efficiency
- Modern stove: reduce by 25%
- Open fireplace: increase by 50%
Step 3: Adjust for Wood Type
- Hardwoods: no change
- Softwoods: add 20%
Example 1:
Medium home, high-efficiency stove, mix of hardwoods and softwoods:
Base = 4 cords → Reduce 25% = 3 cords → Add 10% for mixed wood = ~3.3 cords.
Example 2:
Large home, open fireplace, hardwood only:
Base = 5 cords → Increase 50% = 7.5 cords → Hardwood, no change = 7.5 cords needed.
Example 3:
Small home, open fireplace, softwoods:
Base = 2 cords → Increase 50% = 3 cords → Add 20% for softwoods = ~3.6 cords.
Pro tip: Keep a small buffer of 10–15% extra wood for unexpected cold spells.
Firewood Needs by Home Size, Stove Type, and Wood Type
| Home Size | Stove Type | Wood Type | Base Cords | Adjusted Cords | Notes |
| Small (<1,000 sq. ft.) | High-efficiency stove | Hardwood | 2 | 1.5–2 | Long-lasting, efficient heating |
| Small (<1,000 sq. ft.) | Open fireplace | Softwood | 2 | 3–3.5 | Burns faster, more frequent refills |
| Medium (1,000–2,000 sq. ft.) | High-efficiency stove | Hardwood | 4 | 3 | Reduces wood consumption by 25% |
| Medium (1,000–2,000 sq. ft.) | Open fireplace | Softwood | 4 | 5–5.5 | Quick-burning wood, extra needed |
| Large (>2,000 sq. ft.) | High-efficiency stove | Hardwood | 5 | 4 | Efficient stoves save wood even in large homes |
| Large (>2,000 sq. ft.) | Open fireplace | Softwood | 5 | 6–6.5 | Frequent refilling required, plan buffer |
NOTE: Use this table as a quick reference before ordering your firewood. Adjust slightly for mixed wood types or longer winters.
Expert Tips Proper Storage and Handling of Firewood
Even correctly calculated firewood can be wasted if not stored properly. Proper storage ensures dry, safe, and efficient wood.
Keep Wood Dry
Cover the top of your stack with a waterproof tarp or shed, leaving sides open for air circulation. Moist wood burns poorly, produces excess smoke, and increases creosote buildup.
Elevate Off the Ground
Use pallets, bricks, or racks to prevent moisture absorption from the soil. This also protects your wood from pests.
Seasoning Your Wood
Wood should ideally dry for 6–12 months. Hardwoods benefit from longer seasoning for maximum heat output. Split logs dry faster than full rounds.
Pro tip: Not all homeowners have the space or time to season their logs, which is why many choose ready-to-burn seasoned wood. It saves effort and ensures your firewood burns cleanly and efficiently.
Rotate Stock
Always use older wood first. This ensures your wood burns efficiently and you don’t end up with unseasoned logs at the end of the season. Additionally, stack wood loosely for airflow, cover only the top, and check occasionally for mold or insect activity; treating a small issue early prevents larger losses later.
How to Maximize Space and Efficiency
Stacking your firewood correctly is just as important as calculating how much you need. A well-organized stack improves airflow, accelerates seasoning, and saves space.
Here’s how to do it:
- Choose a solid base: Use pallets, bricks, or a firewood rack to elevate your stack off the ground.
- Stack in a crisscross pattern: Alternating directions every few layers increases stability and airflow.
- Keep rows straight and tight: Prevents leaning stacks and ensures easy access to older wood.
- Leave space between the wall and stack: This prevents moisture buildup and allows air circulation.
- Cover the top only: Protects from rain and snow, but leaves the sides open for ventilation.
Example:
For a 4×8 ft cord, stacking properly can reduce space loss by 10–15%, giving you more room for extra firewood.
Keep stacks at least 12–18 inches from walls or fences to reduce moisture buildup and fire hazards. Lastly, label your stacks by date to ensure you use the oldest wood first.
Firewood Safety and Maintenance
Safe handling of firewood, stoves, and chimneys is critical for a more efficient heating season:
- Chimney cleaning: Regularly remove creosote buildup to prevent chimney fires.
- Stove inspection: Check seals, flues, and gaskets annually.
- Safe storage: Keep firewood away from structures and open flames.
- Ventilation: Ensure proper airflow in your wood-burning area to reduce smoke and improve heat efficiency.
Quick tip: Never burn unseasoned wood indoors because it produces excess smoke and lowers heating efficiency. Additionally, always keep a fire extinguisher nearby when using a stove or fireplace for added safety.
Alternative Uses and Leftover Wood
If you have leftover firewood:
- Use smaller pieces for outdoor fire pits or camping.
- Split logs can serve as kindling for the next season.
- Old wood can be repurposed for garden edging or DIY projects, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Always store leftover wood in a dry, ventilated area to prevent rot.
Final Tips
Planning your firewood needs doesn’t have to be complicated.
Start by evaluating your home’s size, heating system, and seasonal habits. Then, choose hardwood for long-lasting heat, and make sure to store your wood in a dry, ventilated space.
Additionally, ordering slightly more than calculated can give you peace of mind during unexpected cold snaps. It also helps to regularly monitor your supply and reorder before you run out so your home stays safe and warm.
Finally, working with a trusted firewood supplier like Timber Ridge Firewood ensures consistent quality, fair prices, and reliable delivery right to your home. If you’re ready to prepare for winter, consider placing your order early to secure your supply.
FAQs
How long will 20kg of firewood last?
Burn time depends on wood type and stove efficiency. Hardwoods like oak can burn 1–2 hours, while softwoods like pine may last 30–60 minutes. For continuous heating, larger quantities are recommended.
How much wood do you need for a season?
Most homes use 2–6 cords per winter, depending on house size, stove efficiency, wood type, and season length. High-efficiency stoves require less wood, while open fireplaces may require more. Calculating carefully ensures you don’t overbuy or understock for the entire season.
Is 6 months long enough to season firewood?
Yes, six months is usually sufficient for proper seasoning, especially if wood is stored off the ground and covered. Hardwoods benefit from longer seasoning for maximum heat and minimal smoke, but even a six-month period can produce efficient, dry wood ready for burning.