Choosing Between a Wood and Pellet Stove
Wood and pellet stoves are available in different styles to match fireplaces of all kinds. They look stylish and offer warmth to homes.
Pellet stoves use compressed wood wastes like sawdust and shavings to produce hot air. They also make use of a fan to force exhaust gases through specially designed venting systems.
Cost
One of the primary considerations when comparing a wood heat stove to a pellet stove is the price. While pellet stoves are likely to be more expensive in the beginning than their counterparts, they are considerably lower they are compared to domestic fossil fuels and electric heating sources. The long-term savings from the reduced dependence on central heating system can be offset by the initial cost.
Pellet stoves make use of compressed pellet fuels such as alfalfa or timothy in a combustion chamber. These pellets resemble wood and have a higher BTU per hour and higher percentage of heat than cordwood. Pellet fuel can also be bought in bulk, which reduces the time needed to refill the stove's hopper.
One of the major advantages of a pellet stove is that it runs on autopilot. The appliance will maintain the temperature you set on the thermostat. This saves you from having to keep adding fuel to your fire and also prevents huge temperature swings within your home that could happen with wood stoves.
The convenience of a pellet stove is also evident in the amount of maintenance it requires than wood stoves. While a wood stove needs to be regularly cleaned to avoid the accumulation of creosote pellet stoves typically produce little creosote, and require regular cleaning of the chimney vent to ensure maximum performance.
The initial cost of pellet stoves is usually higher than that of wood heat stoves. However, the energy savings can be offset over time. A pellet stove requires a power source in order to feed the pellets into the combustion chamber. This can be a problem in the event of a power interruption. However battery backup systems are available to help reduce this risk.
When properly maintained, both wood heat stoves and pellet stoves are fairly safe to use. To ensure the safety of your wood heating stove, be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for operation and upkeep. This includes removing unused pellets from the stove hopper and feed system at the end of each heating season, and sweeping the vents for the flue every day to reduce the accumulation of soot.
Energy Efficiency
A pellet or wood heater can be an excellent choice for your home, since they are cheaper than oil or gas heaters. They can also be used to create a cozy environment and as an alternative method of heating such as a fireplace or furnace. However, if you're looking for a new stove, it's crucial to choose the right type for your needs and your budget.
Pellet stoves are rectangular and come with combustion chambers, a fan, vents, and hopper for exhausting gasses from combustion. The stoves are self-lighting and include a thermostat to allow you to regulate the temperature in your home. They can be used for heating small to large homes, depending on the capacity of the unit as well as its capacity to generate a sufficient amount of heat per hour.
There are many different types of pellet fuel, including wood, nutshells and grain. Other byproducts like cardboard and paper can also be used. Depending on the kind of pellet you select you'll need to think about whether it's burning properly or produce excessive ash. The top quality pellets will have an energy density that is high, which means they'll produce more heat than lesser-quality brands.
A pellet stove uses electricity to power augers and fans that transfer pellets into the combustion chamber. An outage in power can affect how much heat you're able to produce and you might want to install an additional generator or backup system in case of a power failure. Pellet stoves are usually more efficient than wood stoves as they don't require more air to burn and produce less ash and creosote.
Both wood and pellet stoves require some maintenance, but wood stoves tend to need more maintenance than pellet stoves. You'll have to clean out the accumulated ash and "clinker" from the stove's bottom regularly. It is recommended to make use of a vacuum cleaner made of metal with a flexible hose, so that you can get rid of the hot material without burning yourself. Depending on the kind of stove you choose to purchase it is likely that you will need to change the fire screen at least every year, as well.
Environmental Impact
Wood-burning stoves release large quantities of air pollutants including nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds such as furans and dioxins. These emissions also contribute to fine particle pollution, which can harm human health. The burning of wood also generates creosote. This toxic and carcinogenic substance can build up in the flue and cause house fires. Wood pellets create less air pollution, they do not produce creosote is produced and require less storage space than logs.
Pellet stoves also require more maintenance than log fireplaces. They must be inspected by the homeowner and a professional annually to ensure that they are working properly. They also use electricity to power fans, controls and pellet feeders. A pellet stove uses around 100 kilowatts of power per month in normal usage. The stove won't work in the event that power is cut off unless there is an emergency battery backup.
The species size, dimensions, and moisture content of the wood used will determine the energy efficiency and environmental impact of a pellet or wood stove. Wood pellets that are made of dense hardwood timber such as oak and hickory produce more heat pound for pounds than pellets made of softwoods such as pine or spruce. The heat-to-weight ratio is an important aspect.
Although pellet stoves for sale of a pellet stove is lower than that of a wood stove, it will need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years. Most manufacturers suggest removing all unused pellets from the stove's hopper as well as feed system at the close of the heating season which will prevent rusting and make lighting the appliance at the start of the next heating season more straightforward. The flue vent should be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent soot accumulation.
Although the pellet stove performed better than the fireplace and spruce split log burner for the majority of impact categories, the results of this study are specific to the equipment that were tested and the conditions under which they were operated. Further research is required to evaluate the efficiency of residential wood-based heating systems from a to grave perspective. This includes forest management, wood split log and pellet production, transportation and storage, and thermal energy production.
Maintenance
To ensure that the process of burning remains efficient and smooth, pellet and wood stoves need regular maintenance. They must be cleaned regularly to remove ash and debris. They should also be emptied of their ash pans and the vent pipes frequently. Following these guidelines helps to prevent build-up of creosote that could cause the stove to malfunction.
Each season, a professional technician should clean and inspect the pellet stove. This will allow you to identify any mechanical issues and address problems before they get worse. In addition the technician must clean and examine the venting system to ensure it is in good operation. The technician should also clean any clogged or oiled parts and lubricate fans.
Pellet stoves are more complex than wood stoves and require a little more attention to maintenance. They require electricity to power the blower, controls, and the hopper. They also need to be connected to an exhaust pipe. This can be a small roof top chimney or a direct wall vent behind the stove. The installer will provide suggestions to the homeowner on the best way to go about it based on their home layout and the type of stove.
To avoid exposure to moisture for both pellet and wood stoves should be stored in a dry, clean area. It is not recommended to place them directly on concrete floors as they will absorb moisture and then become contaminated. They should be kept in sealed storage containers to guard them from pests as well as other contaminants. They should also be inspected regularly and refilled with high-quality pellets.
In addition to being a reliable heating source, wood and pellet stoves can be a great way to save on energy bills. It is important to select the correct kind of wood or pellets to ensure they burn correctly. Oak, hickory and maple are excellent choices because they are less likely to produce creosote and contain a high amount of heat per pound.
It is essential to keep your pellet or wood stove on a regular basis to avoid costly repairs. This will also increase the life of your stove. It is crucial to not just clean it up regularly but also to look for obstructions in the ventilation system and clean the door.