The quality of firewood is not enough to optimize its efficiency. The place of storage and the way to store it also play an essential role. Here is how to do it in five points.
1- Ideally, we have the wood delivered in the spring or early summer, so that it has time to dry before the onset of the cold season.
2- The diameter of the logs must not exceed 150 millimeters (6 inches) for three reasons: faster drying, easier storage and better combustion efficiency.
3- The wood dries adequately if it is stack in the open air and in the sun. Placed in the north, it may remain wet for several years. Also, it should never be stored indoors, as there is no air circulation and fungi can form.
LITTLE ADVICE...
If you don't have time to stack up the lumber quickly after delivery, cover it with a tarp to protect it from the rain.
4- Once the location is defined, we create a base (with 2 x 4, for example) to insulate the logs from the ground and to avoid humidity. Then we stack them, being careful not to pack them too tight - so that the air circulates - and to balance the whole to make it strong enough. Once the wood is stacked, we cover only the top, not the sides, with a plastic tarp to prevent water from entering and seeping between each piece of wood.
5- In the fall, bring the wood needed for the winter closer to the entrance and eventually bring a small amount into the house. It's best to wait until the end of October, as the bugs will be less present and you will be less likely to bring them indoors.
Source: Magazine de l’Association des professionnels du chauffage (APC).
