How Much Firewood Do You Need for Winter?

As a general rule, a home burning firewood as its primary heat source uses about 3 to 5 cords per winter, while a home using firewood occasionally for supplemental heat or weekend fires typically needs closer to 1 to 2 face cords a month of regular use. The exact number depends on your climate, how airtight your home is, and how often you're burning.

A Simple Breakdown

Primary heat source: if a wood stove or fireplace insert is doing most of your heating through the winter, plan on 3 to 5 full cords. Colder climates and older, draftier homes land on the higher end.

Supplemental or regular use: a few fires a week through the season usually works out to a Half Cord or Full Cord for the winter.

Occasional or weekend fires: if you're lighting a fire now and then, our Weekender or Quarter Cord sizes are usually plenty for a season of casual use.

Ordering for the NC Mountains

If you're heating a home or cabin in Scaly Mountain, Highlands, or Cashiers through a full winter, we recommend ordering a full cord (or two, for heavy use) by early fall so it's stacked and seasoned before the first hard freeze. Homes at higher elevations tend to burn through wood faster once temperatures drop, so it's worth ordering a bit more than you think you'll need. See our guide to timing your order for more on when to plan ahead.

Ready to Order?

Call 828-200-3050 or contact us online to get your delivery scheduled, or see our current pricing for cord sizes.