Firewood Consumption & Winter Woodlot Planner
Estimate how many cubic metres of hardwood firewood you'll need for the season, based on home size, heater type, and winter severity.
Most firewood calculators online are built around American conventions (cords, square feet) that don't match how firewood is actually bought and sold in Australia. This one uses cubic metres, the standard local unit, based on Australian supplier data.
Firewood Calculator
This gives a seasonal estimate, not a guarantee — wood species, how airtight your home is, and how cold the specific winter turns out to be all shift the number. Many experienced wood-heaters build in a buffer above the calculated estimate for exactly this reason.
Estimated seasonal firewood needed: —
With a sensible buffer (add ~20%): —
Full guide, more detail, and a printable version at https://hollyshomestead.com.au/tools/firewood-consumption-planner.html
Why This Uses Cubic Metres, Not Cords
A cord (128 cubic feet, about 3.6m³) is the standard US and Canadian firewood measurement, and most calculators online are built around it. Australian suppliers overwhelmingly sell and measure firewood in cubic metres of stacked, split wood instead — using the cord as the basis here would mean converting back and forth for no reason, so this tool works natively in the unit you'll actually be buying and stacking in.
Seasoning Time Matters More Than Species
Whatever hardwood you're burning — Red Gum, Ironbark, Yellow Box, or another dense Australian species — properly seasoned (dried) wood matters more to how far your supply actually stretches than the species itself. Green or unseasoned wood can carry up to 50% moisture content, and burning it wastes a portion of its heat energy just driving off that moisture rather than warming your home, while also building up creosote in your flue. If you're cutting your own woodlot rather than buying seasoned wood, plan to cut at least 6-12 months ahead of when you'll actually burn it.
For the rest of your homestead energy and infrastructure planning, see our Off-Grid Energy how-to guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much firewood does an average Australian home use per winter?
A typical home with a medium-sized wood heater used daily burns roughly 2-4 cubic metres of hardwood firewood per season, varying with home size, heater efficiency, and winter severity.
Do sealed wood heaters really use less wood than open fireplaces?
Yes, - modern sealed, slow-combustion heaters can use up to 30% less wood than an open fireplace for the same heat output, thanks to better airflow control and insulation.
How long does firewood need to season before burning?
Commonly at least 6-12 months for hardwood, depending on species and how it's stacked and stored - green wood with high moisture content burns poorly and inefficiently regardless of species.
Why does this use cubic metres instead of cords?
Because that's how firewood is actually bought and sold in Australia - using the cord (a US/Canadian measurement) would mean converting back and forth for no benefit.