- The official measure for the heat, or energy, content of wood is BTU (British Thermal Units). Every type of wood will produce a different BTU when burned.
- Hardwoods, wood with a thicker density, will burn at high temperatures for a longer period of time. Softwoods, wood with a lighter density, will quickly catch fire but burn away faster.
- Hickory, beech, oak, ash, and walnut are common examples of hardwoods used with indoor furnaces. Hardwoods are recommended for the bulk of winter firewood supplies.
- Fir and pine are common types of softwoods used for burning. This wood should be reserved for kindling because it burns quickly and will leave creosote deposits in chimneys.
- The best wood is always seasoned. Seasoned wood is wood that has been dried out to a gray or dark color for at least six months to a year. This wood burns best because it has lost some of its water content.
- Per cord of dried hardwood, bitternut hickory produces 29,200 BTU, red oak 23,700 BTU, red maple 24,000 BTU and black cherry 23,500 BTU. Softwoods such as white pine at 17,100 BTU and balsam fir at 15,500 BTU produce less heat energy per cord.
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