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Choosing Between a Wood and Pellet Stove Wood and pellet stoves come in a range of styles that fit into fireplaces already in place. They are attractive and provide heat to homes. Pellet stoves create hot air through the burning of wood waste, such as sawdust and shavings. They also make use of an exhaust fan to push the gases through specially designed venting systems. Cost One of the most important factors when comparing a wood heater to a pellet stove is their cost. While pellet stoves are likely to be more expensive in the beginning than their counterparts, their costs are significantly lower when they are compared to domestic fossil fuels and electric heat sources. Additionally, the long-term savings that can be realized through less dependence on central heating systems can be more than the initial investment. Pellet stoves employ the combustion chamber to burn compressed pellet fuel such as alfalfa, oat or Timothy. These wood-like pellets have a higher percentage of heat per pound than cordwood, and they burn more quickly to produce more BTUs per hour. Pellet fuel can also be bought in bulk, which reduces the time required to fill the stove's hopper. The main benefit of pellet stoves is that it operates automatically. You can set the temperature you want on a thermostat, and the appliance will keep the room at this precise temperature. It is also easier to maintain an unbroken fire and avoids the large temperature swings that can occur when cooking with a stove. The pellet stove requires less maintenance than a wood burning stove. While a wood stove must be regularly cleaned to prevent the accumulation of creosote pellet stoves typically produce little creosote, and require regular cleaning of the chimney flue vent to ensure optimal performance. Upfront investments in pellet stoves are typically more expensive than those for wood heat stoves, but the energy savings they provide could offset these costs over time. A pellet stove also requires a power source in order to feed the pellets into the combustion chamber, which could cause problems in the event of power interruption. However battery backup systems are available to mitigate this risk. Both kinds of wood heat stoves and pellet stoves are generally safe to operate if they are maintained. In order to ensure the safety of your stove, you should always follow manufacturer instructions for maintenance and operation. This includes removing any pellets that are not used from the stove's hopper as well as feed system at the end of each heating season and sweeping the vents for the flue on a regular basis to minimize the accumulation of soot. Energy Efficiency A wood or pellet stove is a fantastic option for homes because they produce heat at a far cheaper cost than oil or gas heaters. They can also be used to create a cozy environment and as an alternative method of heating like furnaces or fireplaces. If you're looking to purchase an entirely new stove, it's crucial to select the best one to meet your requirements and budget. pellet stoves best are rectangular and come with combustion chambers, a fan, hopper, and vent to exhaust gasses from combustion. The stoves can be self-lighting, and they come with a thermostat to allow you to control the temperature of your home. They can be used for heating small or large homes depending on their wattage and capacity to produce enough heat per hour. Many different types of pellet fuel are available, including wood, nutshells, grain, and other byproducts from paper and cardboard. Depending on the kind of pellet you select you'll need to take into consideration whether it will burn properly or create too much ash. The top pellets have higher energy density. This means they'll generate more heat than lesser brands. Like a wood stove a pellet stove is powered by electricity which is used to run fans and augers that deliver the pellets into the combustion chamber. An interruption in power can impact how much heat you're able to produce therefore you might want to install an emergency generator or backup system in case of a power loss. Pellet stoves are more efficient than wood burning stoves because they require less air to burn and produce less creosote and ash. Both pellet and wood stoves require some maintenance, however wood stoves typically require more maintenance than pellet stoves. You'll need to periodically get rid of the accumulation of “clinker” and ash from the bottom of your stove. It is recommended that you use a metal vacuum cleaner with a flexible hose, to remove the hot material without burning yourself. Depending on the kind of stove you purchase, you'll likely have to replace the fire screen at least once per year, too. Environmental Impact Wood-burning stoves emit large quantities of air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (furans and dioxins), and volatile organic compounds. These emissions also contribute to fine particle pollution, which could be harmful to health. Burning wood also creates creosote. This toxic and carcinogenic substance can accumulate in the flue, causing house fires. Wood pellets cause less air pollution, have no creosote and require less storage space than logs. Pellet stoves also require more maintenance than log fireplaces. They must be inspected by both the homeowner and a professional every year to ensure they are working properly. They also require electricity to run fans and controls as well as pellet feeders. A pellet stove uses around 100 kilowatts of power per month, if it is used in a normal manner. The stove will not operate if the power goes off in the event of an emergency battery backup. The energy efficiency and environmental impacts of a wood or pellet stove are dependent on the species size, the moisture content and the size of the wood used. Wood pellets that are made of dense hardwood timber such as oak and hickory, generate more heat pound for pounds than pellets made of softwoods such as pine or spruce. The heat-toweight ratio is also an important aspect. The initial cost of a stove made of pellets is lower than a wood stove. However, it needs to be replaced after 10 to 15 years. Most manufacturers suggest removing all unused pellets from the stove's hopper as well as feed system at the end of the heating season, which will help to keep the stove from rusting and make lighting the appliance at the start of the next heating season much easier. It is also recommended that the vent for the flue be regularly cleaned to prevent soot buildup. The results of this study, even though the pellet stove performed better in the majority of impact categories than the fireplace or spruce log burner, are specific to the appliances and conditions under which they were operating. Further research will be needed to evaluate the performance of different residential wood-based heating systems from a cradle-to-grave standpoint considering forest management activities wood split and pellet log production, storage and transport, and thermal energy generation. Maintenance To ensure that the process of burning remains efficient and smooth, pellet and wood stoves need regular maintenance. They need to be cleaned regularly to remove debris and ash. They should also be emptied of their ash pans and the vent pipes regularly. These guidelines help stop the buildup of creosote which can cause a stove to malfunction. Every season, a professional technician must clean and inspect the pellet stove before each season. This will allow you to identify any mechanical issues and address them before they become more serious. The technician should also clean and inspect venting systems to ensure proper functioning. The technician should also clean any parts that are clogged or oily and lubricate fans. Pellet stoves are much more complicated than wood stoves and require a little more care in maintaining. The blower, controls and hopper require electricity. In addition, they require to be connected to an exhaust pipe which can either be a small chimney on the roof or directly venting through the wall 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 stove type. Both stoves made of pellets and wood must be stored in a clean, dry area to avoid exposure to moisture. They should not be stored directly on concrete floors, since this could cause them to absorb moisture and then become contaminated. To keep them safe from insects They should be stored in sealed containers. They must also be regularly inspected and filled with pellets of the highest quality. Besides being an efficient heating source In addition to being a great source of heat, pellet stoves and wood can be a great option to save money on energy bills. But, it's important to select the correct kind of pellets or wood to ensure that they burn correctly. Hickory, oak, and maple are good choices because they have an extremely high heat content per pound, and produce less creosote than other species. It is important to maintain your pellet or wood stove on a regular basis to avoid costly repairs. This can also increase the life of your stove. In good pellet stoves to cleaning it on a regular basis it is essential to examine the ventilation system for any obstructions and to clean the glass door.