What is a cord of firewood, and how many cords do I need for a winter?
A full cord is a stacked pile measuring 4 feet high by 4 feet wide by 8 feet long — 128 cubic feet of wood. For a WNC winter, plan on roughly two to four cords if wood is your main heat, or one to two cords for evening and weekend ambiance fires. Insulation, house size, species, and how cold your winter runs all move that number.
The cord, defined
A full cord is a specific, legal measure: a stack four feet high, four feet wide, and eight feet long — 128 cubic feet of tightly stacked wood. That's the only unit you should buy by. Firewood is one of the few products still sold by a legally defined volume, so it pays to know it.
Watch for sellers quoting a 'face cord' or 'rick,' which is a stack four feet high and eight feet long but only one row deep — usually around a third of a full cord. A 'truckload' or 'pile' means nothing measurable, so always confirm dimensions before you pay.
How much a WNC winter takes
For a mountain winter, plan on roughly two to four full cords if wood is your primary heat source, and one to two cords if you're burning for evenings, weekends, and ambiance. Our cold snaps and long shoulder seasons push consumption up compared to the flatlands.
An efficient stove stretches every cord — the Regency Cascades F1500 heats up to 1,500 square feet on far less wood than an open fireplace would waste chasing the same warmth.
What moves your number
Your real total depends on how tight your house is, how high and cold your property sits, what you burn, and how you burn it. Dense hardwoods like oak and hickory pack more heat per cord and burn longer than soft maple or poplar, so a cord of oak simply lasts longer. An open fireplace devours wood for little heat; a sealed insert or stove sips it.
If you're new to wood heat, start with two or three cords, track what you actually use through one winter, and adjust. Call (828) 545-0525 to talk through a stove that fits your space.
Related questions
- What's the difference between a face cord (or rick) and a full cord of firewood?
- How much does a cord of firewood cost in Western North Carolina?
- Should I stock up on firewood before winter, and how early should I order it?
- What should I look for when buying firewood?
- How much wood does a wood stove burn per day?
- How do I know if my house has natural gas or propane?
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