How do I use this Tool?

This tool is designed to calculate the potential savings of using firewood vs. using a different type of heating for your home. It calculates the BTU ratings (British Thermal Unit: a measurement of heat) for each different type of wood and heat source. After entering the price you pay for each option selected it will calculate how much more, or less efficient firewood is than your alternate or main heat source.
e.g. If you use or want to use Apple wood to heat your home at $200 per cord, and you also use a gas furnace that costs $13.68 per Mcf (one thousand cubic feet of gas). The calculator will show that burning Apple wood at $200 per cord is 45% more efficient than Gas at $13.68 per Mcf.

If you do not know the prices for other sources of heat click here for averages.

If you do not know how much firewood costs per cord click here

What Firewood do I choose?

You want to choose the type of firewood you have, or the type of firewood that you may want to buy. We suggest trying a few different types of woods that are native to your area or are easiest to aquire.
If you are unsure of what's available in your area or how much it costs. Go to www.craigslist.com for your area and simply search "firewood". This usually returns the most common wood for your area and a price as well.

How Much Does Firewood Cost?

Firewood ranges anywhere from $150-$500 per cord depending on whether its dried, cured, wet, type, split, stacked, delivered, etc, etc.
If you don't know what firewood costs we suggest: going to www.craigslist.com and searching "firewood" in your area. This will give you a good idea of what type of firewood your area has and how much it costs.

What Type of Heat Does my House Have?

This section of the calculator requires you to enter the main/alternate type of heat your home would rely on if you didn't/don't have a fireplace, wood, or pellet stove.

Heat Prices

For best results we suggest looking at your actual prices on your bill or receipt of oil, propane or kerosene. For a simple national average see below:



Heat Prices: National Averages
Please note, these prices are based on a national average, actual prices for your area may be drastically higher or lower for your area and heat type. For most accurate answer see your actual heat costs/bill or check you local prices.

Based on 2009 National Averages

Electricity- $0.12 per Kwh (Areas with hydroelectric sources can be up to half of this)
Natural Gas- $1.36 per Therm (Therm = 100 cubic feet; Mcf = 1000 cubic feet)
Heating Oil- $2.98 per Gal (These prices can change daily, check your local prices)
Propane- $2.85 per Gal (These prices can change daily, check your local prices)
Kerosene- $3.14 per Gal (These prices can change daily, check your local prices)
Pellets- $2.40-$4.00 per Bag (Depending on Season and Location)



Unit Measure Definitions

Wood
Cord - Based on a 4' X 4' X 8' stack, or 128 Square Feet.
1/2 Cord - is 64 square feet of wood
1/4 Cord - is 32 square feet of wood

Pellets
Bag - 40 pound bag of pellets
Ton - 2000 pounds or 50 bags of Pellets

Electricity
Kwh - Kilowatt hour

Gas
Therm/Ccf - 100 cubic feet
Mcf - 1000 cubic feet

Heating Oil
Gal - One Gallon

Propane
Gal - One gallon

Kerosene
Gal-One gallon