Should I stock up on firewood before winter, and how early should I order it?
Yes, and in Leicester wood is often the heat you can most count on. Out Sandy Mush and Turkey Creek way, many homes run propane and wood, and some remote properties have limited electrical capacity — so a woodpile is real independence. Order green in spring and season it all summer; cold-air drainage runs these valleys colder than Asheville.
Out here, wood is independence
Leicester's rural, large-property character means a lot of homes aren't on a gas main — they run propane and wood, and some of the more remote places have limited electrical capacity to begin with. That makes a stack of seasoned wood the most dependable heat on the property: no line, no meter, no grid required. On clear winter nights, cold-air drainage runs these valleys five to eight degrees colder than Asheville, so that self-reliant heat gets a real workout.
Buy more than you think, and earlier
Colder valleys and heavier reliance on wood add up to more cords than a town home burns, so estimate generously by how hard you actually heat. The good news is the rural lots give you room to store it right. Buy green in spring — cheaper and easier to find than seasoned wood in a scarce fall market — and let a full summer of sun and mountain air do the drying for you.
Season and store it right
Stack off the ground on rails or pallets, split faces open to the sun and wind, top covered against rain and sides open to breathe. Damp, poorly stored wood is behind most of the won't-catch, smoky fires and the creosote that leads to chimney fires — a bigger worry the harder you burn. Have the chimney swept and inspected before the season. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Leicester
We install and service fireplaces throughout Leicester and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.