A couple of critical variables are difficult < impossible > to factor in to a calculator - what type of structure ? - old & drafty - or new and sealed ? somewhere between ? How warm do you like to keep it ? Also - if the structure is open to the howling winds - it will affect things as much as degree days. I would ask a few wood-burning neighbours before trusting a guess-work calculator. John T.
I use he rule of thumb as 1 cord = 100 gallons of oul. Many variables, of course.
These days I find it easier to write a check than split and haul in wood. I do miss using the stove to cook on at times, or getting the fire go down enough to open the doors and grill a steak.
And what kind of apparatus is burning the wood, it's efficiency?
New construction , insulated R-11 walls and R-17 ceilings . All double glazed windows and doors . Crawl space insulated with 1" foam as skirting - to be covered with stone later, leaving foam panels in place . I didn't make it super air tight simply because we need some air infiltration for combustion air . But it's not drafty , no big cracks or anything . I did find some info online , like in our cold zone I should need 3 million BTU's/month as a base figure for a 1500 sf house . I have 3 cords of red/white oak out there , at around 24m BTU's per and 50% efficiency that's enough wood for a whole 12 months . I have my doubts ... I figure that's some kind of average .We like to keep it around 74° , we're sheltered by deciduous woods and down in a holler , and my neighbors were no help , they don't so much stockpile as cut as needed - standing dead if they got it , green if not . They're idiots . I miscalculated last year after increasing the size of the house , I think I actually burned about 2 cords . I'm not planning on getting caught short again . Been cutting all summer in the hope that I can get ahead of things again - and plan on cutting all winter , got a bunch of dead/dying/diseased and leaners marked with orange paint so I can find 'em later . I prefer cutting in winter , no ticks ... -- Snag
This site agrees that your oak is 24 million btu per cord - but warns that your cord might be only 70 - 90 cubic feet of actual wood - not the full 128 cubic feet - depending on stacking.
Where did you get the 3 million per month ? .. perhaps closer to 30 million ? in Jan. & Feb, ? dunno. John T.
That's the same web site I got that number from . Here's a link to the other web site . I think their estimates are a bit optimistic ...
there are new homes being built today that use almost no heat. like a 600 w att hairdryer heats the entire home all winter..
super indsulated r60 cielings and walls, triple insulated windows etc...... ..
when considering the costs of super insulation its not a deal breaker becau se the energy costs are so low.
there are companies building brand new homes of poured concrete, rebar rein forced. a foot thick high strength concrete with storm shutters can ride ou t a harvey sized storm as long as you are high enough elevation wise
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