Firewood Budget for Fall: Buy in Larger Quantities Now or Restock Piece by Piece?

Introduction

The question of buying in bulk vs. restocking piece by piece comes up for many households that heat with wood: Do you really save money if you order a lot of wood in the fall, or is flexibility in winter cheaper? In this article, we compare both strategies, provide simple calculation examples in euros and kWh, share seasonal money-saving tips, and help you make a decision for your household type.

How Much Wood Do You Need? A Simple Usage Check

Before you order: estimate your needs realistically. Three simple steps:

• Review last heating season: How many stacked cubic meters (RM) did you use last year? If you don’t know: see rough reference values below.
• Estimate stove efficiency: Older stoves run at 60–70% efficiency, modern wood stoves up to 80–90%. Lower efficiency means you’ll need more wood.
• Build in a reserve: Plan a 5–10% buffer for very cold winters or delivery delays.

Typical annual usage (for orientation):

• Students / single (partial heating, room stove): approx. 0.5–1.5 RM
• Small family / apartment with wood stove as a supplement: approx. 2–4 RM
• Single- or two-family home with wood as the primary heat source: approx. 4–8 RM

Price Ranges and Energy Content (for Orientation)

Prices and energy content vary; here are plausible example values we’ll use in the calculations:

• Softwood (spruce/fir) energy content: approx. 1 700 kWh/RM
• Hardwood (beech/oak) energy content: approx. 2 000 kWh/RM
• Example fall prices (early buy, dry wood): 70–90 EUR/RM
• Example winter prices (restock, tight market): 90–120 EUR/RM

Quick Comparison: Pros and Cons of Buying Big in Fall vs. Restocking in Small Batches

Buying Big in Fall (Bulk)

• Pros: Better price per RM, lower risk of delivery disruptions, wood is often well-seasoned (if the dealer is prepared seasonally), less administrative effort.
• Cons: You need storage space, risk of moisture with poor storage, cash tied up (larger upfront payment).

Restocking Piece by Piece in Winter

• Pros: More flexibility, avoid overbuying, can react to price drops, less storage space needed.
• Cons: Higher prices per RM are possible, delivery bottlenecks during cold snaps, often wetter wood or longer delivery times.

Cost Comparison: Example Calculations

In the following example, we compare two purchase times with concrete numbers. For simplicity, we assume softwood with 1 700 kWh/RM.

Example calculation for three household types (excluding delivery costs):

• Student (1 RM/year): fall 80 EUR vs. winter 110 EUR -> savings 30 EUR
• Small family (3 RM/year): fall 240 EUR vs. winter 330 EUR -> savings 90 EUR
• Family home (6 RM/year): fall 480 EUR vs. winter 660 EUR -> savings 180 EUR

Note: Delivery costs, wood species, moisture, and regional differences change the numbers. A delivery discount for larger quantities or combining an order with neighbors can increase the savings even further.

Seasonal Savings Tips & Storage

• Group orders: Team up with neighbors to order a larger quantity and split delivery costs.
• Split a wood pile: If storage space is tight, order together and store it in a shareable, separated way. Choose dry, well-ventilated storage locations.
• Store properly: On pallets or wood slats, with clearance from the ground and the house wall, cover only the top, keep it breathable. Ideal: a dry, covered spot with airflow.
• Avoid moisture: Logs should dry for 6–12 months before burning. Target: residual moisture under 20% (a moisture meter helps).

Good Alternatives and Extra Savings Measures in Fall

Reducing wood consumption means saving money. Pair your purchasing decision with measures that lower usage:

• Combined heating pattern: Fire strategically: heat up strongly for a short time in the morning, then reload moderately instead of keeping small flames going continuously.
• Seal drafts: Quickly check windows and doors—especially in older homes—and add small seals where needed.
• Room-heat routines: Use the thermostat wisely, heat rooms selectively, lower temperatures at night, use heavy curtains.
• Use wood intelligently: Dry, properly cut wood has a better heat value; avoid wood with high residual moisture.

Decision Aid: Which Approach Fits You?

• If you have storage space and budget: Buying in bulk in fall is often cheaper and less stressful. Good for families and high-usage households.
• If you have little storage or limited cash: Restocking in smaller batches reduces storage issues and ties up less money. Good for students and singles with low usage.
• If you’re unsure about price trends: A mixed strategy: buy a partial amount in fall (e.g., 50–75% of your expected needs) and top up as needed.
• If you want to avoid delivery or quality risks: Order early from a trustworthy dealer and insist on seasoned wood. Document price and moisture if appropriate at purchase.

Practical Checklist Before You Buy

• How many RM do you realistically need? (last year + 5–10% reserve)
• How much storage space is available? (m2 and protection from rain)
• Which wood species do you want, and what is the estimated kWh value?
• Compare prices in EUR/RM and calculate EUR/kWh (price/RM divided by kWh/RM).
• Do you have neighbors for a group order? Split delivery costs.
• Do you have a moisture meter or a way to verify that the wood is seasoned?

Conclusion

For households with medium to high firewood consumption and sufficient storage space, buying larger quantities in the fall usually pays off: better unit prices, lower risk of delivery bottlenecks, and typically drier wood. If you have limited space, tight finances, or very irregular heating needs, you’ll benefit from restocking piece by piece or using a mixed strategy. Combine purchasing with savings measures like sealing drafts, heating strategically, and group orders to achieve the best price-to-performance mix.