Vermont Firewood Costs Have Driven Rising Demand
As cord prices hit $500, regional wood banks are managing an influx of new assistance applications for heating.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Local wood banks across Vermont are reporting increased demand for free heating fuel as the cost of a cord of wood reaches approximately $500. Nearly one-third of state households rely on cordwood, and many are now turning to community aid to meet their heating needs.
Why it matters
High procurement costs and labor demands have created significant financial barriers for households that depend on wood as a primary heating source. These organizations bridge the gap for families, including those where alternative heating methods have failed.
Approximately one-third of Vermont households use cordwood, with nearly two-thirds of those relying on it as their primary heat source. Statewide, households burned more than 400,000 cords during the 2018-2019 season, while current market prices for a single cord have climbed to $500.
The players
United Way of Lamoille County
A regional nonprofit that coordinates social services and distributes between 40 and 65 cords of firewood annually.
Wood4Good
A nonprofit established in 2019 that processes and delivers approximately 50 cords of wood annually.
Vermont Warm Hearts
An organization based in Stowe that provides emergency wood deliveries to families in Lamoille and Windsor counties.
Vermont Department for Children and Families
The state agency responsible for overseeing and distributing heating and fuel benefit programs to eligible households.
The details
Volunteer-run organizations process donated logs using splitters to supply residents with home deliveries of firewood. To manage limited resources, these wood banks coordinate requests through collaborative meetings to share energy and equipment. These groups operate alongside state programs that provided fuel benefits to under 2,000 wood and pellet heating households last year.
Timeline
2018-2019 heating season: Vermont households burned over 400,000 cords of wood.
2019: Wood4Good launched and baseline fuel assessments occurred.
2023: State issued benefits to under 2,000 wood-heating households.
Last year: Vermont Warm Hearts delivered wood to 20 families.
2026: Wood banks are preparing for the upcoming winter season.
Market Landscape
This trend of increasing demand for wood banks follows a pattern established by the state's reliance on the Vermont Department for Children and Families fuel assistance program. It reflects a shift where rising fuel prices are outpacing the capacity of existing social support structures.
Operators in sectors involving forestry, logistics, or property management should note the increased demand for firewood as a potential signal of regional economic strain. Businesses should evaluate their supply chains for wood products as local nonprofits compete with commercial buyers for limited inventory.
The takeaway
The rise in firewood demand suggests that many households are struggling to absorb current fuel costs, making energy assistance a critical local issue this winter. Business owners should monitor regional fuel price trends and consider how such cost pressures impact the spending power of their local customer base.
Further reading
For more on community support initiatives, see our Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by VTDigger.
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Should your local government increase funding for community-based firewood assistance programs?
