Not All Firewood is Created Equal
Firewood is not a one-size-fits-all proposition: different species of wood have diverse characteristics that affect their suitability as fuel.
In general, for sustained heating, hardwoods are a better choice. Hardwoods include species like oak, maple and birch — trees that have leaves and lengthy growing cycles. Their wood is dense and strong and burns with greater heat and less smoke than softwoods.
Softwoods include evergreen species such as pine, spruce and fir. The wood from these trees is more resinous and burns much more quickly than hardwood. While softwoods are typically considered to be less suitable than hardwoods for home heating, they are usually easier to ignite and can be a good way to start a fire.
How Do I Get Good Firewood?
If you’re lucky enough to have a lot of spare trees on your property, assembling a cord or two of firewood for the winter may not be much of a challenge — provided, of course, that you’re handy with a chainsaw and don’t mind working up a sweat. For many people, though, buying firewood is the only option.
When purchasing firewood, it’s important to deal with a reputable supplier who can provide information about the wood — particularly its moisture content. Wood that has been thoroughly dried is referred to as “seasoned” firewood.
The drier the firewood, the easier and more efficient it is to burn. Contrary to misconception, the buildup of creosote — a contributing factor to chimney damage — results primarily from low-temperature fires rather than the type of wood burned, so it’s important to burn only seasoned firewood whenever possible.
Kiln-dried wood is often considered a great choice since it’s dried in a controlled environment to ensure moisture is evenly removed. If you’re buying firewood from a third party, ask how it was seasoned and for how long. If you’re buying undried wood (or cutting it yourself), make sure to dry it for at least six months to a year before use.
Storing Firewood the Right Way
Once you’ve collected your firewood, you’ve got to store it properly. If it’s unseasoned wood, it must be allowed to dry, and if it’s seasoned wood, you’ve got to make sure it stays dry.
Three factors are important to keep in mind when storing firewood:
- Keep it dry. As noted, dry wood burns much more efficiently, so keep your firewood out of the rain and snow by covering it with a waterproof tarp.
- Make sure it’s ventilated. Take care when weatherproofing your firewood so that it remains adequately ventilated. Cover only the top of the wood so that air can still pass through the spaces between the logs and carry away moisture.
- Keep it off the ground. Wood left on the ground will absorb moisture and begin to rot. It also becomes an inviting haven for creatures looking for a safe place to build nests.
If you’re serious about firewood, you may want to consider a shed or ramada where you can conveniently store your wood on a rack, pallet or solid slab to keep it dry and critter-free.
Fireplace and Woodstove Safety
Now that you’ve got your stash of well-stored, seasoned firewood, it’s time to get things blazing. But, before you strike that first match, make sure you’ve understood and observed the following safety tips:
- Inspect regularly. A clean and unobstructed chimney is crucial to safely heating your home with wood. Have your chimney and wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a professional.
- Burn clean. Wood treated with chemicals of any kind can release harmful fumes when burned. Never burn treated or painted wood.
- Don’t overload. Excessive heat can damage stoves, hearths and chimneys. Be sure not to overload your fireplace or wood stove.
- Use barriers. If you’re burning in an open hearth, use a fireplace screen or glass door to prevent sparks from flying out of the fireplace. If you’re using a wood stove, keep the door closed while burning.
- Extinguish thoroughly. Before leaving the house or going to bed, completely extinguish your fire. Remember: if it’s still smoking, it’s still burning.
Safe handling of firewood not only helps prevent nasty mishaps and protects your home from damage, it also ensures burning efficiency and even household air quality.
Comfort and Security
As you look forward to enjoying the colder months by the mellow warmth of a cozy fire, always keep in mind that fire is inherently dangerous. With a bit of preparation, though, you can prop your feet up by the hearth knowing you’ve taken the necessary steps to ensure your peace of mind.
With Guaranteed Replacement Cost (GRC) insurance from Erie Insurance, you can take another important step toward peace of mind — one that can help get your home back to its previous state in the event of an accident. Talk to a local ERIE agent today about our homeowner policy options, and we’ll show you how to make sure you’re covered all year round.