When the cold season approaches, it is time to light the fireplace and enjoy that pleasant heat they produce. But if we want to be well prepared we must be proactive and buy in advance the firewood necessary to cover the needs of the whole winter.
USE WOOD FOR THE FIREPLACE WHY?
The heat generating capacity of firewood far exceeds that of any other fuel. Neither coal nor briquettes can compete with the calorific value of firewood, which is undoubtedly the best fuel for any fireplace.
Although among the different types of firewood the calorific value is also different, a little below we tell you what type of firewood to choose according to your needs.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO BUY FIREWOOD?
Taking into consideration that the wood contains a lot of moisture and it is advisable to keep it reserved for drying, it is best to store it from one year to the next.
If it is used without drying enough, a lot of energy is wasted, as the heat of the fire is wasted to evaporate it. Therefore, we must buy firewood that is already dry or let it dry before using it.
Therefore, the best time to buy firewood is late summer or early autumn. At this time the woodcutters have already cut it and left it to dry in the warehouses for months, which means that it is dry when we buy it. If firewood that is still green is used, the energy efficiency achieved will be minimal, in addition more dirt will be generated.
On the other hand, if you wait to buy it in the middle of winter, it increases the probability of buying a firewood that has a lot of humidity or that is wet, in addition to its cost will be higher.
Once purchased, the ideal will be to keep it well covered near the fireplace and placing the one that could be left from the previous year ahead to use first. So if you are thinking about when to buy firewood for your fireplace, be proactive and do it before winter arrives, you will save money since the demand is usually lower and you will make sure you have it dry when the time comes to use it.
In addition to when to buy firewood, it is also important what type of firewood to choose to get the most out of our fireplace and where to buy it, to avoid possible abuses.
DISCOVER SOME OF OUR SERVICES
WHAT TYPE OF FIREWOOD TO CHOOSE
There are different types of firewood and depending on its hardness it has one purpose or another.
The firewood from the pine, which is very soft, is ideal for lighting the fireplace, although its high resin content makes it a firewood that dirties more. This component, in addition to preventing the fire from reaching a high temperature, favors the formation of creosote, a residue that adheres to the walls of the chimney and can eventually cause a fire.
Oak or holm oak wood is most useful to keep the fire alive. They are hard firewood, which burns slowly and generates a lot of heat.
In many cases, a highly prized firewood is that of the orange tree. Its delicate smell and durability make it a very desirable choice for fireplaces.
As far as eucalyptus is concerned, its firewood is very hard and has a high calorific value. However, in its combustion a lot of waste is generated that dirties the ducts of the chimneys. To avoid this inconvenience it is best to let the firewood of the eucalyptus tree dry for several months or even years before using it. We only have the foresight to keep it cut from the size that will later be used, since once dry it is difficult to cut.
And remember, for your fireplace to perform at its best when winter comes, you must perform a review before its start-up.