What is a cord of firewood, and how many cords do I need for a winter?
Out the rural valleys around Mars Hill — Spring Creek, Gabriels Creek — homes run on propane or wood, and wood-heated houses here burn two to four cords a winter given the colder air at 2,350 feet. A cord is 128 cubic feet, four by four by eight feet. Closer to the university, easy-use gas fireplaces are more common and wood is one to two cords of ambiance.
Two Mars Hills, two cord counts
The rural Spring Creek and Gabriels Creek valleys lean on propane and wood, often as primary heat, so those households plan for the higher end and stock early. The university-area rentals turn over each academic year and favor simple, low-effort gas fireplaces, where wood is occasional at best.
Where wood is the heat, a sealed EPA stove stretches every cord far past what a drafty open hearth wastes — the difference between hauling two cords and four on the same cold winter.
Seasoning and buying in Madison County
This is one of the colder spots we serve, so the season runs long. Season split hardwood a full year, keep it covered and off wet ground, and favor dense oak and hickory that hold heat through the night instead of soft wood that flares and fades.
Buy by the true full cord's stacked dimensions, never a vague 'truckload.' We pull the county permit and meet the inspector, and our Asheville showroom is about 30 minutes away. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Mars Hill
We install and service fireplaces throughout Mars Hill and the rest of Madison County — just 30 minutes north from our Asheville-area showroom.
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?