Some people heat their homes with firewood. Firewood is sold by a measurement called a "cord".

A cord is 128 cubic feet of firewood. To be sure you have a cord, you can stack and measure the wood. For example, a cord of firewood, when stacked could be a pile that is either:

• 4 feet wide, 4 feet high, and 8 feet long (4 X 4 X 8 = 128);
  or
• 2 feet wide, 4 feet high and 16 feet long (2 X 4 X 16 = 128).

You can stack the wood in other ways, too. If the width times the height times the length (all in feet) equals 128 cubic feet, you have a cord of fire wood.

A seller may not use terms such as "truckload," face cord," "rack" or "pile."

What You Can Do:

When you buy firewood, ask the seller to stack the wood (you may have to pay extra for this service) or stack the wood yourself.

Get a receipt which shows the sellers name, address, and phone number, and the price, amount, and kind of wood purchased. Write down the license plate of the delivery vehicle.

Measure the wood before using any.

Take a picture of the stack if you think there is less than a cord.

If you feel you have a problem, contact the seller before you burn and wood.

If the problem cannot be resolved, contact your weights and measures office before you burn any wood.

Next

Department of Consumer Protection, Weights and Measures, 112 East Post Road, White Plains, NY 10601. (914) 995-2179.