How To Get The Best Firewood For Affordable & Clean Energy From Harlem To Hawaii

If you have landed on this post then you probably already recognize that there are many benefits associated with using firewood to warm your home. Not only is this a cost-efficient and energy-efficient solution, but it presents a unique method of heating – one that is warm and cozy. Most people agree that it is the best way to keep warm during the winter period. Nevertheless, you cannot simply set any wood alight when it comes to heating your property. Of course, you will want to make sure that the wood you get your hands on is cheap in terms of price. But it is also important to acquire clean firewood for a safe and enjoyable fire. So, keeping that in mind, continue reading for some top tips on buying firewood.

Why care about firewood in the middle of summer?

Depending on where you are based right now, the weather may be quite warm and so you may not be considering how to heat your home. However, now is as good time as any to give this some consideration. After all, things take time, and you need to prepare. You must source wood, and you also need to have a good place for storing the wood as well. There is a lot to take into account, so the sooner you can get started and make sure that your house is able to use firewood, the better.

Firewood can be part of your sustainable future

Before we explain a little bit more about purchasing firewood and what to consider, it is worth establishing why making moves like this is so important. You do not need us to tell you about the troubles we face all around the world in terms of global warming and running out of resources. This is why we all need to do everything in our power to make sure that we protect our planet by becoming as sustainable as possible. The use of firewood is one of the ways that you can do this. Consider teaming this with the installation of solar panels so that you really do have everything you need to run your home in a sustainable way.

Investments like this really do pay off over time. Not only are you taking steps toward being more sustainable, but you will find your energy bills reduce considerably as a consequence. As time goes on, you will end up paying for the investments that you have made in terms of the savings you are now reaping the rewards of.

You need to make sure you purchase seasoned fire logs

Now, let’s move onto some of the different things you need to consider when it comes to buying fire logs for your home. There is only one place to begin and this is with the fact that you simply must purchase seasoned logs. This is firewood that has dried for a minimum of six months. If you were to go for freshly cut logs, i.e. green firewood, the moisture content would be far too high. As a consequence, you would really struggle to get a fire going. Nonetheless, this is not the only disadvantage. Once you do get the fire going it will not be very effective and it will not be very safe either. The fire is assured to produce an excessive amount of smoke. Moreover, it can often be somewhat erratic as well. Therefore, under no circumstances should you ever cut corners and buy freshly cut logs for generating heat.

Consider the wood type

Naturally, some woods are better when it comes to producing heat, whilst some types of wood should be avoided. It’s imperative to consider the type of wood you are going to purchase. Don’t simply assume they are all the same. All it takes is a quick search online and you will be able to determine whether the kind of wood in question is an effective one. Some of the best options to go for include the likes of beech, ash, hawthorn, rowan, yew, and thorn. Let’s take a look at the qualities of each in further detail…

• Thorn – Thorn boasts several qualities that make it one of the best options for burning. Very little smoke is produced and you will also benefit from an exceptionally good heat output as well as a steady flame.
• Yew – Yew also produces a very good heat output and has the added benefit of a slow burn as well. 
• Rowan – Similarly to yew, rowan burns slowly and has a great heat output.
• Hawthorn – This has long been one of the traditional choices when it comes to burning output. It also has a slow burn rate and a good heat output.
• Ash – If you want one of the best and most popular woods for burning, ash is it. The heat output is impressive and ash creates a steady flame.
• Beech – Finally, with beech, you have a wood that is very similar to ash when it comes to burning.

Now you know all you need to in regards to the best options that are available to you, but what about the worst? Here are some examples of wood types you should stay away from and the reasons why…

• Poplar – This is a wood that has a very poor burn and produces extremely smokey results.
• Laburnum – Despite having burn in the name, laburnum is certainly a wood you should stay away from. Similarly to popular, the burn is poor and the wood is very smokey.
• Alder – Not only is the heat output of alder poor, but it does not last well either.
• Eucalyptus – If you use this wood you will run the risk of a chimney fire. This is because the wood is fast burning and thus deposits can form in the flue because of the sap. This of course results in the possibility of a fire.
• Firs – Firs, such as Douglas, should also be avoided. The formation of deposits in the flue is also a problem with firs, as is the fact that it offers poor heat output and a small flame.

Read reviews about the company

Aside from this, it is also a good idea to read reviews that have been left by previous customers. You want to be certain that the company is a credible one. The last thing you want to do is fall victim to a poor-quality supplier. Unfortunately, there are a few people in this industry that try to pass off green logs as seasoned firewood. You now know the severe negatives associated with freshly cut logs, which is why it is even more important to find a high-quality supplier. By reading testimonials you will get an honest insight into the level of quality you are likely to experience. If there are any red flags you will be alerted to them and thus you will know to look elsewhere instead.

Log size

Another important factor to consider is the size of the logs. There are various different reasons why this is the case. It is likely that you will have already set a storage space aside for your firewood. You will of course need to be sure that the firewood is going to fit into this space. Additionally, the size of the logs is also important when it comes to the effectiveness of the fire you experience. The right diameter will not only make sure the logs dry more efficiently but that they burn more efficiently as well. 

The cost of firewood

As mentioned in the introduction, you will of course want to make sure you get a good deal in monetary terms when purchasing firewood. After all, one of the main reasons for going for this approach is because you can save money. Nevertheless, simply choosing logs because they are the cheapest is not an advisable approach to take. Use all of the tips that have been provided in this post and then let price be your final determining factor. If something seems too good to be true, then the chances are that it probably is. You don’t want to end up purchasing freshly cut logs or one of the poor wood types that have been mentioned. It is always a good idea to look at several options in order to get an understanding of the average prices being charged.

All in all, when it comes to using firewood as a heating source, you will undoubtedly take advantage of an abundance of benefits. You will experience a more enjoyable form of heating and one that is cheaper and more environmentally friendly as well. However, this is only the case if you are mindful of the tips that have been presented in this post and that you choose your firewood with a great amount of care. Looking for the right type of firewood and ensuring it is seasoned is of the utmost importance, so don’t overlook these aspects.