Choosing Between a Wood and Pellet Stove
Wood and pellet stoves come in a variety of styles that fit into preexisting fireplaces. They are both attractive and provide warmth for homes.
Pellet stoves produce hot air by burning wood waste like sawdust and shavings. They also use a fan to force exhaust gases through specially designed venting systems.
Cost
One of the main factors when comparing a wood heater to a pellet stove is the cost. While pellet stoves are likely to be more expensive in the beginning than their counterparts, their prices are significantly lower when contrasted with home fossil fuels and electric heat sources. Additionally, the long-term savings that can be derived from less dependence on a central heating system can be more than the initial investment.
Pellet stoves employ an internal combustion chamber to burn compressed pellet fuel, such as alfalfa, oat or timothy. pellet stoves cheap -like pellets have a higher percentage of heat per pound than cordwood and they burn hotter to produce more BTUs per hour. In addition, pellet fuel is available in bulk to reduce the time required to refill a stove hopper.
The main benefit of a pellet stove is that it operates automatically. You can set the desired temperature on a thermostat and the stove will keep the room at this precise temperature. It is also easier to keep the fire at a constant temperature and avoids the extreme temperature fluctuations that can occur when cooking with an oven.
The pellet stove is less prone to maintenance than a wood burning stove. A wood stove must be maintained regularly to avoid creosote buildup. However, pellet stoves produce a minimal amount of dust and require only regular cleaning of the chimney vent to ensure the best performance.
The initial investment in pellet stoves is typically more expensive than wood heat stoves. However the energy savings could be offset over time. A pellet stove requires power to put pellets into the combustion chamber. This can be a problem if there is an outage in power. However, battery backup systems are readily available to reduce the risk.
If properly maintained, both wood heat stoves as well as pellet stoves are safe to use. To ensure the safety of your wood heating stove, make sure you adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines for operation and maintenance. This includes removing unused pellets from the stove hopper and feed system at the end of each heating season and cleaning the vents of the flue regularly to minimize the accumulation of soot.
Energy Efficiency
A pellet or wood heater can be an excellent choice for your home, as they are much more cost-effective than oil or gas heaters. They can also be used to create a cozy atmosphere and also as an alternative method of heating like furnaces or fireplaces. However, if you're shopping for a new stove, it is crucial to select the right model for your needs and your budget.
Pellet stoves have a rectangular shape. They include an hopper, a combustion chamber and vent to exhaust the combustion gases. The stoves can be self-lighting and come with a thermostat to allow you to control the temperature of your home. They can be used for heating small to large homes, depending on the capacity of the unit as well as its ability to produce a sufficient amount of heat per hour.
A variety of different kinds of pellet fuel are available that include nutshells, wood, grain, and other byproducts from paper and cardboard. Depending on the kind of pellet you select, you'll have to consider whether it's burning properly or produce excessive ash. The highest quality pellets will have an energy density that is high that means they'll generate more heat than lesser-quality brands.
Like a wood stove, pellet stoves are powered by electricity which is used to run fans and augers that feed the pellets into the combustion chamber. An interruption in power can impact how much heat you're able to generate therefore you might consider installing an additional generator or backup system in case of a power failure. Pellet stoves are more efficient than wood burning stoves due to the fact that they require less air to burn, and produce less ash or creosote.
Both pellet and wood stoves require some attention. However, best pellet stove inserts require more attention. You'll need to periodically clean out the accumulation of "clinker" and ash from the bottom of your stove. You should use a metal vacuum cleaner with an hose that is flexible to remove the hot material. You might also have to replace the fire screen on your stove at least once per year, based on the model you purchase.
Environmental Impact
Wood-burning stoves generate huge quantities of air pollutants which include nitrogen oxides as well as volatile organic compounds like furans and dioxins. These emissions can also cause fine particle pollution that is dangerous to human health. The burning of wood also generates creosote. This carcinogenic and toxic substance can build up in the flue and trigger house fires. Wood pellets, on the contrary, produce less air pollution, and they do not produce creosote, and require much less storage space than logs.
Pellet stoves are also more complex than log fireplaces, and require regular inspections by homeowners and by an expert on a regular basis to ensure they operate properly. Electricity is also used to power controls, fans, and pellet feeders. In normal use the pellet stove consumes approximately 100 kilowatt-hours a month. If the power is cut off the stove won't function, unless it has a battery backup.
The energy efficiency and environmental impact of a pellet or wood stove are dependent on the species size, the moisture content and the size of the timber that is used. Wood pellets made from dense hardwoods like oak and hickory generate more heat on a pound-for-pound basis than pellets produced from softwoods, such as pine or spruce. The heat-toweight ratio is also an important factor.
Although the initial cost of pellet stoves is less than a wood stove, it will still require replacement every 10 to 15 years. Most manufacturers recommend removing all pellets that are not used from the stove's hopper as well as feed system at the conclusion of the heating season which will help to keep the stove from rusting and make lighting the appliance at the beginning of the next heating season more straightforward. It is also recommended that the flue vent be regularly cleaned to prevent soot buildup.
Although the pellet stove did better than the fireplace and the split log burner made of spruce for most impact categories, the results of this study are specific to the appliances tested and the conditions under which they used. More research is required to compare the performance of various wood-based heating systems in homes from a cradle-to-grave standpoint considering the management of forests pellet and wood split log production, storage and transport and thermal energy generation.
Maintenance
Wood and pellet stoves require regular maintenance to keep the combustion process functioning smoothly and efficiently. A weekly cleaning is necessary to eliminate ash and other debris. They also need to be cleared of their ash pans and the vent pipes on a regular basis. Being on top of these requirements helps to prevent build-up of creosote, which can lead to the stove malfunctioning.
A skilled technician should conduct the cleaning and inspection of a pellet stove prior the start of each season. This can help to identify and resolve any mechanical problems before they become serious. The technician must also clean and inspect the venting system to ensure proper operation. The technician should also lubricate the fans and clean any obstructions.
Pellet stoves need more maintenance than wood stoves, as they are more complicated. They require electricity to power the blower, controls and the hopper. In addition, they need to be connected to an exhaust pipe which could be a tiny chimney for the roof or a direct vent through the wall behind the stove. The installer can advise the homeowner on the best way to arrange their home and stove style.
Both wood and pellet stoves are best kept in a dry, clean area to avoid exposure to moisture. They should not be stored directly on concrete floors, since this could cause them to absorb moisture and become contaminated. They should be kept in sealed storage containers to protect them from pests as well as other contaminants. They should be inspected regularly and filled with pellets of the highest quality.
Wood and pellet stoves are not only efficient heating sources, but they can also aid in saving money on your energy bills. But, it's important to select the correct kind of pellets or wood to ensure that they burn correctly. The three species of maple, hickory, and oak are excellent choices because they are less likely to produce creosote and have a high percentage of heat per pound.
It is important to keep your pellet or wood stove on a regular basis to avoid costly repairs. This will also extend the lifespan of your stove. In addition to cleaning it regularly, it is important to examine the ventilation system for obstructions and clean the glass door.