How much does firewood cost per cord, and how many cords do you burn in a winter?
Right here in Asheville, what you'll spend on a cord depends far more on which supplier you call than on any citywide going rate, so get two or three quotes and compare seasoned hardwood by the full 128-cubic-foot cord. On volume, an occasional-fire household usually stacks one or two cords a winter, while a home leaning on wood for real heat burns three or more.
Montford masonry versus a modern box
The single biggest variable in an Asheville woodpile isn't the neighborhood, it's the firebox. Montford and North Asheville are full of original open masonry fireplaces that look wonderful and heat poorly; an open hearth can run a net heat loss, pulling warm room air up the flue faster than the fire replaces it, so it burns through cordwood for surprisingly little warmth. Newer South Asheville construction pairs far better with a sealed wood insert or an EPA-certified stove, 70% efficient or better, which is how two similar houses can burn three cords versus one.
What our elevation adds to the pile
At 2,134 feet the city stays colder longer than newcomers expect. Nighttime temperatures sit in the 20s well into early spring, so the burning season runs an extra few weeks past when the calendar says it should. That tail end is exactly where local burners underestimate the woodpile, then find themselves buying a half-load in March at whatever price they can get. Lay in enough in spring, let it dry through summer under a cover, and you're never the person shopping for dry wood mid-winter.
The upgrade that shrinks the cord count
Converting a drafty open firebox into a sealed insert is the cleanest way to cut what you burn while keeping the masonry surround you like. We handle the whole job, pull the Buncombe County permit, and meet the inspector, and it's a short run from our Emma Road showroom. Call (828) 545-0525 or stop by to see what your open fireplace could become.
Fireplace help in Asheville
We install and service fireplaces throughout Asheville and the rest of Buncombe County — we're headquartered right here.
Related questions
- Is heating with wood actually cheaper than gas?
- How much does it cost to heat a home with a wood stove for a whole winter?
- What does a wood-burning fireplace cost per year in upkeep?
- How long does it take a wood stove to pay for itself?
- Does using an open wood-burning fireplace actually increase my heating bill?