Firewood for a 1,500 sq ft house, by climate
EPA-certified stove (70% efficient), red oak (24 million BTU per cord) and average insulation. Face cords assume 16 inch logs.
| Climate | Cords at 50% wood heat | Face cords | Cords at 100% wood heat | Face cords |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild | 0.7 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 4.0 |
| Moderate | 1.3 | 4.0 | 2.7 | 8.0 |
| Cold | 2.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 12.1 |
| Very cold | 2.7 | 8.0 | 5.4 | 16.1 |
Planning your wood
Order in spring or summer so the wood can season (6 to 12 months or more; oak is slowest), check that it measures a full cord, and stack it off the ground with a cover on top only. The firewood guide shows how the wood species and the stove change the number, and the calculator lets you set your own.
Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full How Much Firewood Do I Need for Winter?: edit any number and the results update instantly.
Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How much firewood to heat a 1,500 square foot house?
In a cold climate with an EPA-certified stove burning red oak, about 2.0 cords if wood supplies half your heat, or 4.0 cords if it is your only heat. A mild climate needs a third as much.
How many face cords is that?
A face cord of 16 inch logs is a third of a full cord, so 6.0 face cords at 50% wood heat, or 12.1 for all of it, in a cold climate.
What changes the amount of firewood?
The climate, the insulation, your stove (an open fireplace needs several times more than a modern stove) and the wood (pine needs half again as much as oak).
Related sizes and guides
Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.