Firewood: Types, Calorific Value, and Benefits of Ecological Heating

Firewood – What types do we know?

Heating with wood is one of the most traditional methods of heating. Firewood has been used for heating for centuries and remains a popular source of heat for many households. There are many types of wood that can be used as fuel, but not all are equally effective. In terms of use as a solid fuel, wood is typically divided into softwood and hardwood.

Softwood comes from coniferous trees such as spruce, pine, and fir. Its advantage is that it burns quickly and is easier to ignite. Its disadvantage is that it has a lower density and contains more moisture, so it has a lower calorific value than hardwood. It is suitable for quick heating or short-term burning.

Hardwood comes from deciduous trees such as oak, beech, maple, chestnut, and walnut. Its advantage is that it has a high density and contains less moisture, so it has a higher calorific value than softwood. It is suitable for longer burning or all-day heating. Hardwood also has less bark and branches, making it burn more efficiently and cleaner.

Advantages and disadvantages of heating with wood

Heating with wood has its advantages and disadvantages. Compared to pellets or briquettes, wood requires more storage space and is more susceptible to pests or mold. Also, handling wood can be less safe since it is unprocessed, meaning it’s not as convenient to handle as pellets or briquettes. If you choose to heat with wood, it is important to focus on proper storage and drying to minimize moisture and avoid problems with combustion quality and emissions. On the other hand, heating with wood is eco-friendly, as it uses a completely natural resource. Firewood is available almost everywhere, and the cost of wood is lower than heating with gas or electricity.

• Wood is a renewable energy source since trees grow continuously.
• Wood is relatively cheap and easily available.
• Wood has a pleasant scent and adds to the atmosphere in a room.
• Using wood for heating has a smaller environmental impact because it releases less CO2 during combustion compared to fossil fuels.

Calorific value of wood and price

The higher the calorific value of wood, the less wood you will need for heating. Hardwood has a much higher calorific value compared to softwood, which is why hardwood is typically used in households for heating.

Although wood has a lower calorific value than fossil fuels (such as coal or oil), for households with a fireplace or chimney, heating with wood can be a cheaper and more sustainable solution than other fossil fuels.

Here is a table with the calorific value of different types of wood, calculated in MJ/KG at ideal moisture content.

The price of firewood depends on the type of wood chosen. However, based on calorific value, it should be assessed that it is not always advantageous to look for the cheapest firewood, but rather to focus on dry hardwood, which will ultimately do a better job. Specific prices for selected types of wood can be found in our price list.

Consumption, heating requirements, and wood storage

Heating with wood requires certain requirements for wood storage, drying, and proper handling. Wood should be stored in a dry place, protected from rain and snow. Ideally, wood should be kept under a roof or in a garage. It should be stored on wooden pallets or other elevated platforms to minimize moisture from the ground. Before using wood as fuel, it must be properly dried. Wood drying typically takes a year for most of the moisture to evaporate. If the wood is too moist, it can cause problems with combustion quality and increased emissions. Wood can be stored for several years if kept in a dry environment. However, as wood ages, its quality may decrease, and it may become less effective as fuel.

The amount of wood needed for one heating season depends on the size and insulation of the house, the climatic conditions in the area, and the desired temperature setting. The average household, therefore, uses varying amounts of wood. Generally, it is estimated that a household with a single fireplace requires about 4 to 6 cubic meters of wood for one heating season. Larger homes or households with multiple fireplaces or chimneys may require up to double the amount of wood.

Advantages of importing wood from Ukraine

Ukraine, as one of the few European countries, boasts large forested areas. As a result, wood from Ukraine is a relatively inexpensive option if you want to heat with wood. However, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the wood, ensuring it is properly dried and stored. This helps avoid other problems with heating, such as combustion quality and emissions. That’s why we only import wood from trusted suppliers with whom we have good experience.

Recommendation

When purchasing wood as fuel, it is recommended to focus on hardwoods such as oak, beech, or chestnut, as they have higher calorific value and burn more efficiently. Wood should be stored in a dry place and must be properly dried before use. It is important to ensure an adequate amount of wood for the entire heating season and proper storage of the wood during this time.