There are a number of things you need to consider and ask if you are planning to buy your wood logs from a supplier.

  • Price – does it include delivery.
  • Size of logs (will they fit in your stove). You really don’t want to have to re-split it all yourself.
  • Green or seasoned (green will be cheaper but you will need to store them and dry them yourself to get the best results from your wood – you will also need to allow for space for log drying).
  • Buying buy weight or by volume.
  • Origin of the wood (carbon footprint, is it a sustainable wooded area).

There is a list of log suppliers available on the Biomass Energy Centre website: www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk

Alternatively, you can find local log suppliers in your Yellow Pages or even contact your regional woodfuel officer from the Forestry Commission.

Other tips for buying good firewood are:

  • Ask friends and neighbours for recommendations
  • Shop around.
  • Don’t just order your logs by phone. If you can, pay them a visit and see the wood for yourself.
  • Check that the wood is clean. Sand and dirt affects the burn.
  • Only buy stack logs that can be counted. Don’t buy randomly piled stacks.
  • Measure the stack before delivery. That way, once it is delivered you can measure it and make sure you get the volume you pay for.
  • If possible, buy the wood in spring so you can stack it yourself and control the seasoning process until winter.

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