Fuelwood consumption in small-scale housing, 2016/2017

Forests and forestry

Economy and markets

Statistics

During the 2016/2017 heating period, small-scale housing consumed 6.9 million solid cubic metres of fuelwood. This was 3 per cent higher than during the previous statistics period 2007/2008.
Of all fuelwood, roundwood removed directly from forests accounted for 6.5 million cubic metres. Smallwood accounted for two-thirds, i.e. 4.7 million cubic metres, logwood for one-sixth, i.e. 1.2 million cubic metres, and wood chips for one-tenth, i.e. 0.6 million cubic metres. In addition, 0.4 million cubic metres of other types of wood were consumed.
Smallwood, logwood and wood chips made up 9 per cent of all domestic roundwood consumed in Finland. Birch was consumed the most, i.e. 2.7 million cubic metres. Other hardwood, pine and spruce were consumed 1.2–1.3 million cubic metres each.
One-sixth of all fuelwood, or 1.2 million cubic metres, was consumed in residential and production buildings on farms. Other detached houses consumed two-thirds of all fuelwood, i.e. 4.6 million cubic metres, while holiday homes consumed 0.9 million cubic metres. Two-family and terraced houses only consumed 0.2 million cubic metres in total.
Farms that use fuelwood consumed 18.0 cubic metres per year on average. Average consumption was 5.2 cubic metres in detached houses and 2.4 cubic metres in holiday homes.
The most wood was burned in heat-storing fireplaces and ovens, totalling roughly 2 million cubic metres, or 28 per cent of the total amount. Different smallwood and wood chip burners consumed 27 per cent of all fuelwood, while sauna stoves consumed 19 per cent and baking ovens consumed 14 per cent.
The energy content of the fuelwood consumed in small-scale housing was 15.3 terawatt-hours. In 2017, the significance of fuelwood on total energy consumption was equal to that of forest chips in combined heat and power plants (14.3 terawatt-hours), hydropower (14.6 terawatt-hours) or peat (15.6 terawatt-hours).
The statistics are based on data provided by residents or owners of 4,100 small-scale houses. The amount of fuelwood is usually measured in stacked or loose square metres. However, Luke compiles its statistics in solid cubic metres, including bark.