31st Dec 1969

Annual Cost Of Operating A Wood Insert - FireplaceSurplus

The cost of operating a wood insert can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including the size of the insert, the cost of wood in your area, and how efficiently the insert is used. Here are some factors to consider when estimating the annual cost of operating a wood insert: 

  1. Size of the insert: A larger wood insert will typically burn more wood and therefore have a higher operating cost. 
  2. Cost of wood: The price of wood can vary significantly depending on your location and the type of wood you use. Hardwood, such as oak or maple, typically burns longer and produces more heat than softwood, such as pine or spruce. 
  3. Efficiency of the insert: An insert that is well-insulated and has a good seal around the firebox will be more efficient and use less wood than an insert that is poorly insulated or has a leaky seal. 
  4. Usage patterns: The more you use your wood insert, the more wood you will burn and the higher your operating cost will be. As a rough estimate, you can expect to pay around $500-$1,500 per year in operating costs for a wood insert, depending on the factors listed above. However, it's important to note that this is just a rough estimate and your actual operating costs may be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances.

There are several environmental factors that can affect the cost of operating a wood insert. These include:

  • Climate: In colder climates, you may need to use your wood insert more frequently to heat your home, which will increase your wood consumption and operating costs. On the other hand, in milder climates, you may be able to use your wood insert less often, which will lower your operating costs.
  • Outdoor temperature: The outdoor temperature can also affect the cost of operating a wood insert. On very cold days, you may need to use more wood to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, which will increase your operating costs.
  • Size of your home: The size of your home can also impact the cost of operating a wood insert. If you have a larger home, you will likely need to use more wood to heat it, which will increase your operating costs.
  • Insulation: The level of insulation in your home can also affect the cost of operating a wood insert. A home that is well-insulated will require less wood to heat, which will lower your operating costs.
    • By considering these environmental factors, you can get a better idea of the likely operating costs of a wood insert in your specific situation.

    The moisture content of wood is an important factor to consider when using a wood insert, as it can affect the efficiency of the insert and the amount of wood you need to use. Wood with a high moisture content will require more energy to burn and will produce less heat than dry wood.

    The moisture content of wood is typically measured as a percentage of the weight of the wood. For example, if a piece of wood weighs 10 pounds and contains 2 pounds of water, its moisture content would be 20%.

    The ideal moisture content for wood that is burned in a wood insert is typically around 15%. Wood with a moisture content above 20% is considered too wet to burn efficiently and may produce a lot of smoke and creosote, which can be harmful to your chimney and potentially cause a chimney fire.

    To ensure that you are using dry wood in your wood insert, it's important to store the wood in a dry location and allow it to season (or dry out) for at least six months before using it. You can also purchase a moisture meter to test the moisture content of your wood before burning it.

    Note: Prices for wood will vary dramatically throughout North America and as such three benchmarks were chosen. Cords and Costs were calculated on standard unit size, efficiency, daily usage, and used an average heating season of 26 weeks. Actual numbers will vary, this table is meant simply as an educational tool and does not guarantee any real world savings or costs.