Choosing Between a Wood and Pellet Stove
Wood and pellet stoves come in a variety of styles that fit into existing fireplaces. They are attractive and provide heat to homes.
Pellet stoves burn wood waste such as sawdust and shavings to produce hot air. They also use 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 pellet stoves is their cost. Pellet stoves can be more expensive initially than their counterparts. However they are also much less expensive when compared to household fossil fuels or electric heat sources. Additionally, the long-term savings that can be derived from the less dependence on central heating systems can be more than the initial investment.
Pellet stoves use an internal combustion chamber to burn compressed pellet fuel like alfalfa, oat or Timothy. These wood-like Pellets have higher BTU per hour and higher heat content than cordwood. Pellet fuel can also be purchased in bulk, which reduces the time required to fill the stove's hopper.
The pellet stove has the advantage of being automatic. The appliance will maintain the temperature you set on the thermostat. This saves you from having to constantly add fuel to a fire and also prevents huge temperature fluctuations in your home that can happen with a wood stove.
The pellet stove is less prone to maintenance than a wood burning stove. While a wood stove must be regularly cleaned to avoid the accumulation of creosote pellet stoves usually produce very small amounts of creosote and require regular cleaning of the chimney flue vent to ensure optimal performance.
The initial investment in pellet stoves is usually higher than that of wood heat stoves. However, the energy savings can reduce this cost over time. A pellet stove requires power to feed pellets into the combustion chamber. This can be an issue in the event of a power failure. However battery backup systems are available to mitigate this danger.
If they are properly maintained, wood heat stoves and pellet stoves are fairly safe to use. To ensure the safety of your wood heating stove, be sure to adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines regarding operation and maintenance. This includes removing any pellets that are not used from the stove hopper and feed system at the end of each heating season and sweeping the flue vent every day to reduce the accumulation of soot.
Energy Efficiency
A wood or pellet heater is a great option for your home, since they are more cost-effective than oil or gas heaters. They also create a cozy environment and can be used as an alternative to traditional heating methods such as a furnace or fireplace. If you're looking for a new stove it is crucial to select the best one for your requirements and budget.
Pellet stoves are rectangular in shape and come with combustion chambers, a fan, vents, and hopper for exhausting gasses from combustion. They can be self-lighting and come with a thermostat to let you control the temperature of your home. They can be used to heat small to large houses, based on the wattage of the unit and its ability to produce a sufficient amount of heat per hour.
There are many different types of pellet fuel, such as wood, nutshells and grain. Other byproducts, such as paper and cardboard can also be used. You'll have to choose which type of pellets you want to use. Some will burn well and produce too much ash. The top pellets have higher energy density. This means they will produce more heat than inferior brands.
Like a wood stove, a pellet stove is powered by electricity which is used to control fans and augers that feed pellets into the combustion chamber. An interruption in power can impact how much heat you can generate and you might consider installing a generator or backup system in the event there is a power outage. Pellet stoves can be more efficient than wood burning stoves because they require less air to burn and produce less ash or creosote.
Both wood and pellet stoves need some maintenance. However wood stoves generally require more attention. You'll need to remove the ash and "clinker" from the bottom of the stove often. You should use a metal vacuum and a flexible hose to remove the hot material. Based on the type of stove you buy it is likely that you will have to replace the fire screen at least once a year, also.
Environmental Impact
Wood burning stoves emit large quantities of air pollutants like nitrogen oxides volatile organic compounds (furans and dioxins) and volatile organic substances. These emissions can cause fine particle pollution that is detrimental to health. Additionally, burning wood produces creosote, a toxic and carcinogenic chemical, which accumulates in the flue vents and can cause house fires. Wood pellets produce less air pollution, have no creosote and require less storage space than logs.
Pellet stoves are more complicated than log fireplaces and require regular inspections by homeowners and by an expert on a regular basis to ensure that they function properly. Electricity is also used to power the controls, fans and pellet feeders. Under normal usage, a pellet stove consumes about 100 kilowatt-hours per month. If the power goes out the stove will not function, unless it has a batteries to backup it.
The energy efficiency and environmental impacts of a wood or pellet stove is contingent on the species size, moisture content and size of the timber used. Wood pellets made of heavy hardwood timber, like oak and hickory, generate more heat pound for pounds than pellets made of softwoods like pine or spruce. The heat-to-weight ratio of different species is also important.
Although the initial cost of pellet stoves is less than that of a wood stove, it will 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 stove at the beginning of the next heating season easier. The flue vent needs to be cleaned frequently to avoid the accumulation of soot.
The results of this study, while the pellet stove performed better in most impact categories than the fireplace or spruce log burner are specific to the equipment and the conditions under the conditions they were operating. Further research will be needed to evaluate the performance of different wood-based heating systems in homes from a cradle to grave perspective, taking into account forest management activities, pellet and wood split log production, transport and storage, and thermal energy generation.
Maintenance
Wood and pellet stoves require regular maintenance to keep the burning process functioning smoothly and efficiently. They need to be cleaned on a weekly basis to brush away collected dust and ash. The pans for ash, as well vent pipes, should be cleaned regularly. These rules help prevent the buildup of creosote that can cause a stove to malfunction.
A qualified technician should carry out the cleaning and inspection of a pellet stove before use every 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 operation. The technician should also lubricate the fan and replace any clogged parts.
Pellet stoves are much more complicated than wood stoves and require more attention to maintenance. The controls, the blower and hopper require electricity. They also need to be connected to an exhaust pipe, which could be a small roof-top chimney or a direct wall vent behind the stove. The installer can provide advice to the homeowner on the best option in accordance with their home's layout and the type of stove.
To avoid moisture exposure for both pellet and wood stoves should be stored in an area that is dry and clean. They should not be kept directly on concrete floors as this will cause them to absorb moisture and become infected. They should be kept in sealed storage containers to shield them from pests and contaminants. They must also be regularly inspected and filled with pellets of the highest quality.
Wood stoves and pellet stoves aren't only efficient heat sources They can also aid in saving money on your energy bills. However, it is important to select the correct kind of wood or pellets to ensure that they burn efficiently. Hickory, oak and maple are excellent choices because they produce less creosote and have a high heat content per pound.
miniature pellet stove is important to maintain your wood or pellet stove on a regular basis to avoid costly repairs. This will also increase the lifespan of your stove. In addition to cleaning it regularly it is essential to inspect the ventilation system for any obstructions and clean the glass door.