Even today, wood-fired heating remains the cheapest energy source on the market. However, given the current circumstances, it may be worth looking into ways of obtaining firewood for free. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to get hold of firewood.
Go through a professional
You might not realise that these days, the best way to source timber is through certified professionals. When you use a professional, you can get your timber quickly and effortlessly!
Another advantage of using a professional is the quality of the timber. Indeed, professionals are required to ensure the wood is properly seasoned to achieve a moisture content of less than 20%. As you may know, it is essential that your wood contains less than 20% moisture if you wish to burn it. Wood that is too damp will produce a lot of ash and will therefore burn less efficiently than well-seasoned wood.
What’s more, they can select the wood to ensure you receive high-quality timber, which in turn provides efficient heating that will help reduce your heating bill.
So, the simplest – though not the cheapest – option is to use a professional to source your firewood.
The best place for firewood
You may not be aware of this, but there is now a classifieds website offering free wood. This wood can be used for heating as well as for DIY projects.
Indeed, the website montasdebois.fr allows tradespeople, businesses and private individuals to offer their wood for free by posting an advert on the site. The aim is to recycle wood they no longer need. So, you can find offcuts, broken pallets, logs and more…
Please note, however, that you must not use just any type of wood for heating. In fact, the wood you use for heating must meet certain criteria if you do not want to damage your appliance.
To find out more about these criteria, please read our article on how to choose the right firewood.
We therefore advise you to be careful about what you collect and, above all, not to use just any wood for heating.
Firewood gathering: an age-old practice for obtaining free wood
Have you heard of ‘affouage’? This practice, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is a great way to get free, high-quality firewood. Whether in the Gard, Isère, Loiret or anywhere else in France, you’ll find communal forests.
Today, this practice has been preserved through communal forests, particularly in north-eastern France, where the highest concentration of communal forests is found.
In fact, in the Middle Ages, French lords used to allow the inhabitants of their kingdoms to enter their forests to gather firewood; this was known as ‘affouer’.
The ONF (National Forestry Office) therefore regularly organises firewood sales for private individuals. However, this practice is strictly regulated and monitored by the local council to ensure the protection of France’s forests.
Before each timber sale, the various parties involved – the local council, the forestry committee and the forester – must draw up a set of specifications to ensure that the person with a firewood-gathering right does not damage the forest or fell any tree indiscriminately.
“In 2020, one million cubic metres were made available to local authorities for firewood” Source: National Forestry Office
As such, gathering firewood is now a good way to obtain wood for free whilst helping to protect France’s forests.
We would, however, advise you to contact your local council for further information.
As you will have realised, there are now many ways to obtain wood, whether for free or not. However, we would advise you to consult a professional to ensure the wood is of good quality and thus avoid damaging your heating system.