Based on these figures and even if I were able to buy propane for a "measly" $2 a gallon, that means I now have over $10,000 of firewood that is either ready to be split or already split and dry. I am sharing this with an older friend, and I'll report this to him.While were speaking of Propane
1 gallon propane=91,600BTUs
1 cord ash=21 million BTUs
1 500 gallon propane tank=2 cords hardwood as far as BTUs are concerned.
Makes you feel good about your woodpile doesnt it!
Originally Posted by chainsawaddict
While were speaking of Propane
1 gallon propane=91,600BTUs
1 cord ash=21 million BTUs
1 500 gallon propane tank=2 cords hardwood as far as BTUs are concerned.
Quite a difference though in efficiency new propane heaters can exceed 95% efficiency. Even the best wood stoves burning bone dry wood under ideal conditions are going to be hard pressed to net more than about 50% efficiency. Older woodstoves and fireplaces are going to be much lower yet.
Just filled at $0.80/L wich works out to about $3 cdn or $2.50 US/usg
Suppose you figured 2.5 cords of firewood for 500 gallons. If you've collected 5 cords of wood to heat your house and burn it all, that's the same as buying 1,000 gallons of propane.yep, I agree, still though even at 50% efficiency the dollar amounts add up when compared to $3 gallon propane.
Suppose you figured 2.5 cords of firewood for 500 gallons. If you've collected 5 cords of wood to heat your house and burn it all, that's the same as buying 1,000 gallons of propane.
At $2 a gallon, thats $2,000 of propane equivalent heat. $2,000/5 cords = $400 per cord equivalent.
At $3 a gallon, thats $3,000 of propane equivalent heat. $3,000/5 cords = $600 per cord equivalent.
Suppose you figured 2.5 cords of firewood for 500 gallons. If you've collected 5 cords of wood to heat your house and burn it all, that's the same as buying 1,000 gallons of propane.
At $2 a gallon, thats $2,000 of propane equivalent heat. $2,000/5 cords = $400 per cord equivalent.
At $3 a gallon, thats $3,000 of propane equivalent heat. $3,000/5 cords = $600 per cord equivalent.
I dont think many people charge $400-$600 for a cord of hardwood, and Im talking ash, 21 million btus/cord. When you compare oak at around 26 million thats another 25% better.
The efficiency of your woodstove is far less than that of a furnace because of the exhaust, but if you find a way to capture that heat on the way up, you can get quite a bit out of it. My central brick chimney does a pretty good job of heating my upstairs.
Doing the math sure does make a guy feel good though!!!
Even if you drop the firewood down to willow or basswood, the numbers still make your cordwood seem attractive. To be sure, we cannot really beat the conveniece of propane, natural gas, fuel oil, or electricity, but we can still beat the price per BTU.
Problem is, the firewood price does not include the collection price that everyone who gathers it, delivers it, and processes it must absorb. Add that in, and the other home heating fuels usually win. So, I burn wood for the comfort, and many other reasons, but not for the money that it saves.
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