Maine has clear-cut regulations on the sale of firewood

There is a definite chill in the morning Maine air, a harbinger of the cold winter not so far away.

Thanksgiving is over and December arrives later this week. Summer is long gone and snowbird out-migration is about to begin.

For those of us who remain, staying warm without breaking the family budget becomes of paramount importance.

For many folks, heating completely or partially with wood is a part of the solution, given the high cost of home heating oil.

Heating with firewood has been going on here since the introduction of humans thousands of years ago.

Bangor’s first European settler, Jacob Buswell, surely used this natural resource to keep his family warm in his tiny cabin on the banks of the Penobscot in 1769.

Wood burning has many wonderful properties for the user, including the satisfaction of getting it ready, warming in front of the fire, and the smell of smoke in the winter air. It is a cherished Maine experience.

More than a million cords of firewood are burned each year, almost one cord for every Mainer.

Many consumers, however, do not have a woodlot to cut and process their own firewood and must rely on local firewood vendors. Getting what you pay for can be a challenge for some buyers.

Fortunately, the state Attorney General’s Office (www.maine.gov/ag) has well-defined regulations for the sale of firewood, which are very helpful to the Maine consumer.

First, terms like “truckload,” “rack” or “pile” are not permitted in the sale of firewood as they are undefined or subject to a variety of meanings.

There are two terms that are permitted under statute: “stacked cord” and “loose thrown cord.” A “stacked, standard cord” is a measure of wood, bark and air that is 4 feet wide, 4 feet high, and 8 feet long, or its equivalent, containing 128 cubic feet, that is “ranked and well stowed.” This means the wood is stacked in a compact manner.

A “loose thrown cord” is sold by the cubic foot in lengths of 12, 16, or 24 inches. A cord of 12- or 16-inch wood shall contain 180 cubic feet, and for 24-inch wood, 195 cubic feet. Firewood dealers usually deliver loose thrown cords. This is best measured in a container such as a truck bed. If the consumer were to stack the loose thrown cord, it should measure between 115 and 124 cubic feet.

When buying wood, always ask for a receipt. If the sale is more than $20, a receipt is required by law. This receipt must contain the names and addresses of the buyer and the seller, the date delivered, the quantity of wood delivered, the price, a description of the species of wood or woods, and a statement of quality, such as “dry” or “seasoned.”

Seasoned wood should be at least a year old before burning. Store the wood so that air can easily circulate and further dry the product.

Remember that often there are sources of low-cost or no-cost wood scraps available at sawmills or lumberyards. Municipalities or private citizens are often removing deadwood or diseased trees and would be glad to have it taken off their hands.

If you feel that your firewood dealer has shortchanged you or misrepresented the condition of the wood, you can request assistance from Northeast CONTACT or the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Weights and Measures. Remember to have your receipt for the firewood handy.

Burning firewood as a source of home heat this winter can be very satisfying and cost-effective. Using a proper stove, with a proper installation, and an appropriate chimney all inspected by the local fire department each year will help ensure a more positive experience.

Now warm and toasty in our wood-heated abode, let the cold, icy winds blow and the snow fall.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT for Better Business Inc., Maine’s membership-funded, nonprofit organization. An individual annual membership is $25; business memberships start at $125. For consumer help and information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.