How Much Firewood Do You Need to Order in Bulk?

Ordering firewood in bulk for the winter is a great way to save money over buying by the bag. But you don’t want to overbuy and end up with piles of unused wood taking up space until next year. Worse yet, you don’t want to run out early into the winter after massively underestimating how much you’ll need. 

Calculating your actual firewood can feel like a minefield – it does take some maths and planning. Well, we’re here to help make it easy for you. Considering factors like your appliance’s kilowatt rating, climate, and previous usage, you can order just the right amount of bulk firewood for maximum savings. 

Take stock of last year’s firewood use 

The best way to estimate your future needs is to look at your past firewood usage. If you track how much wood you burn each season, you can use that as a baseline. 

If you don’t already log your firewood pile over time, try to estimate how much you used last year. Think about the size of the woodpile you started with and how much was left by spring. How many fires did you have on average each week? This will give you a reasonable approximation to work from. 

Remember to account for any expected increase or decrease in your household’s firewood use next year. Maybe you’ll be home more this winter to enjoy extra cosy fires. Or perhaps you had an unusually cold winter last year that inflated your fuel consumption. Consider any lifestyle or home changes to make your estimate as accurate as possible. 

Calculate your stove’s kW output 

Your wood-burning stove’s kilowatt (kW) rating tells you how much heat energy is can produce per hour. All stove manufacturers provide this specification for each model. The higher your stove’s kW output, the more firewood it will consume to generate its maximum heat. 

For example, a small 5kW stove uses less fuel than a larger 12kW model. If you recently upgraded your stove to one with a different kW rating, adjust your firewood estimate accordingly. If your household has multiple stoves, add up their total kW ratings for your calculations. 

Factor in your climate and location 

Where you live in the UK makes a big difference in how much firewood you’ll use for heating. Homes in the cooler northern regions and Scotland tend to rely more heavily on their stoves and fireplaces in winter. Thanks to the heat island effect, urban areas are generally warmer than rural ones. Nearby bodies of water moderate temperatures, too. 

Think about your specific location and climate factors that might increase or decrease your winter firewood usage. Also consider any unusually cold or mild weather last year that may have skewed your baseline estimate. 

Compare types of firewood

Not all firewood is equal when it comes to heat output. Hardwoods like oak, ash and beech release more energy per unit than softwoods like pine. The moisture content and seasoning time also significantly impact the heat generated from burning. 

Well-seasoned or kiln-dried hardwoods and softwoods tend to produce the most heat energy per cubic metre. Take the quality and type of firewood you buy into account. 

Consider your average burn rate 

The wood needed per fire varies based on your appliance and how long you keep it burning. If you’ve just had a new stove fitted and don’t have any previous usage to go by, consider the average amount of wood you’ll need to enjoy a fire based on the stove’s size. 

 Small wood stoves under 5kW usually consume around 20-30lbs per fire. For medium 5-10 kW stoves, allow 40-60lbs. Large stoves with a huge heat output of 10kW and above may require 60-100+lbs for an extended fire. 

Calculate the weight of a cubic metre for your type of firewood and divide by your average ‘per fire’ usage. this estimates the number of fires your yearly supply should provide. 

Make sure you have sufficient storage space 

Take measurements of your firewood storage area before ordering in bulk. Stacked firewood takes up more space than you might think. Trying to squeeze too many cubic metres into a cramped shed leads to problems like mould growth and insect infestations. 

Leave some wiggle room for easy stacking and air circulation. It’s better to order a bit less bulk firewood than overload your storage capacity. You can always get more mid-winter if needed. 

Build in a buffer for the unexpected 

No matter how carefully you estimate and calculate your firewood needs, surprises happen. You might go through wood faster some years due to a freezing winter or a cord that burns quicker than expected. 

Ordering an extra 10-20% buffer allows for these uncertainties without breaking the bank. Store the surplus properly until next year, when it will provide a handy head start on your next bulk purchase. 

Recap calculating your firewood order

To determine your ideal bulk firewood order for the coming winter:

• Review your usage last year as a baseline 
• Factor in any stove kW changes or climate impacts 
• Compare types of wood and burn rates 
• Measure storage space and leave room for stacking 
• Add a 10-20% buffer for unexpected need

With some upfront planning using this formula, you can order just the right amount of bulk firewood to stay cosy all winter while still maximising value. Let us know if you need any help selecting high-quality kiln-dried logs tailored to your needs. Stay warm! 

Check out of wide selection of bulk kiln-dried firewood options here – all with free delivery to the UK mainland, no-hassle 14-day returns, and finance options available. It’s never been easier to get ready for winter! 

Any questions? You can find us at [email protected] or call 0161 376 4191.