Energy affordability is commonly quantified in terms of energy cost burden--the percentage of household income spent on residential energy needs. These can include electricity, gas, and fuels such as propane or biomass. As a metric, energy cost burden helps us visualize energy affordability. Energy cost burden is also a key driver of energy insecurity, defined as the inability of a household to meet their basic energy needs.

The author discusses the value of burning wood for heat, the various woods, how to buy firewood, woodburning safety, and much more.