4 Ways To Minimise The Expense Of Firewood This Winter

Winter has arrived, and for many people around the country, the time has come to organise their firewood supply for the coming months. If you've recently moved into a home that uses a fire to provide heat, then you may be wondering how you can save money when ordering your firewood. Here are four ways that you can minimise the expense of firewood this winter.

1. Buy it in bulk

Bulk buying is the most cost-effective way to buy many commodities. This is certainly true for firewood. Although the initial expense will be more than for buying a smaller load, bulk firewood will cost significantly less per cubic metre. This means your overall heating cost for the winter will be lower, and it also means you won't need to order a second load halfway through the winter.

2. Buy it unchopped

Buying firewood that is still in large pieces is another way to save a considerable amount on the cost of the wood. Chopping firewood into smaller pieces that will fit into your fireplace requires a lot of labour, and the cost of this labour will be reflected in the price. Buying it unchopped will require some time-consuming work on your part, but the money saved and the sense of satisfaction you'll feel when it's all chopped and stacked will be worth the effort.

3. Buy it unseasoned

Before it will burn properly, firewood needs to be properly seasoned. This is the process of drying the wood out to reduce the moisture content. Unseasoned, green timber won't burn effectively and will also produce a lot of smoke. The process can take a year or two, which adds to the overall price of the firewood. Ordering a load of unseasoned timber and storing it in a dry, weatherproof location will give you a seasoned yet inexpensive firewood supply for future winters.

4. Buy hardwood

Although softwood is cheaper to buy, it isn't actually the most cost-effective option. Softwood burns a lot faster than hardwood, so you'll use it up more quickly, and you'll also need more of it to adequately supply your home with heat over the winter period. Hardwood is denser and burns more slowly, so you'll use less over the same period of time, saving you money in the long run.

For more information on buying firewood, contact your local firewood supplier. They can also help you to choose the best timber variety to suit your fireplace or wood burning heater.

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