Choosing Between a Wood and Pellet Stove
Wood and pellet stoves are available in various styles to fit existing fireplaces. They look stylish and offer heat to homes.
Pellet stoves generate hot air through the burning of wood waste, such as shavings and sawdust. A fan is used to force gasses out of the exhaust through a specially designed venting systems.
Cost
One of the most important factors when comparing a wood heater to a pellet stove is the cost. While pellet stoves are likely to be more expensive upfront than their counterparts, their costs are considerably lower contrasted with home fossil fuels and electric heat sources. In addition, the savings over time that can be realized through less dependence on central heating systems can be more than the initial investment.
pellet stoves modern use a combustion chamber to burn compressed pellet fuel, such as alfalfa, oat or timothy. These pellets resemble wood and have a higher heat content per pound than cordwood, and they burn more hot to produce more BTUs per hour. Pellet fuel can also be bought in bulk, which can reduce the time needed to refill a stove's hopper.
The pellet stove has the advantage of being automatic. You can set the desired temperature on a thermostat, and the appliance will keep the room at this precise temperature. This saves you from having to continually add fuel to a fire and also prevents huge temperature swings in your home, which can happen when you use a wood stove.
The pellet stove is less prone to maintenance than a wood burning stove. While wood stoves must be regularly cleaned to prevent the buildup of creosote pellet stoves generally produce little creosote and require only regular cleaning of the chimney flue vent to ensure maximum performance.
The initial cost of pellet stoves is typically more expensive than wood heat stoves. However the energy savings could reduce this cost over time. A pellet stove requires power to put pellets into the combustion chamber. This can pose problematic in the event of power outages. Battery backup systems can help reduce this risk.
Both kinds of wood heat stoves as well as pellet stoves are safe to operate if they are maintained. To ensure the security of your wood heat stove, make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions for operation and upkeep. This includes removing unburned pellets from the stove's hopper and feed system at the end of each heating season and sweeping the vents for the flue on a regular basis to reduce the accumulation of soot.
Energy Efficiency
A pellet or wood stove is a good option for a home since they produce heat at a much more affordable cost than oil or gas heaters. They can also be used to create a comfortable environment and as an alternative heating method like the furnace or fireplace. If you're looking for an entirely new stove, it's crucial that you choose the right one that meets your needs and budget.
Pellet stoves are rectangular in shape and feature a combustion chamber, fan, hopper, and vent to exhaust gases from combustion. They can be self-lighting and include thermostats that allow you to control the temperature of your home. They are suitable for heating small or large homes depending on their wattage and capacity to generate enough heat per hour.
There are a variety of pellet fuel are available in the form of nutshells, wood, grain, and other byproducts of cardboard and paper. You'll need to determine the type of pellets that you'd like to utilize. Some will burn well, while others may produce excessive Ash. The top quality pellets will have a high energy density that means they'll generate more heat than cheaper brands.
Like a wood stove, a pellet stove is powered by electricity which is used to control fans and augers that deliver the pellets into the combustion chamber. A power outage can affect how much heat you can generate, so you may consider installing an additional generator or backup system in the event of a power loss. Pellet stoves are usually more efficient than wood stoves since they don't need more air to burn and produce less ash and creosote.
Both pellet and wood stoves require some maintenance, however wood stoves generally require more attention than pellet stoves. You'll have to clean out the accumulated ash and "clinker" from the bottom of the stove frequently. It is recommended that you use a metal vacuum cleaner equipped with a flexible hose to remove the hot material without burning yourself. You may also need to replace the fire screen on your stove at least once a year, depending on the type of stove you purchase.
Environmental Impact
Wood-burning stoves release large quantities of air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (furans and dioxins), and volatile organic substances. These emissions also contribute to fine particle pollution which can harm human health. Additionally burning wood creates creosote, which is a toxic and carcinogenic chemical that builds up in the flue vent and can 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 care than log fireplaces. They need to be inspected by both the homeowner and a professional annually to ensure they're operating properly. They also use electricity to power fans and controls as well as pellet feeders. In normal use pellet stoves consume approximately 100 kilowatt-hours a month. The stove will not operate if the power goes off unless there is a battery backup.
The energy efficiency and environmental impact of a pellet or wood stove is contingent on the species, size and moisture content of the timber used. Wood pellets made of heavy hardwood timber, like oak and hickory, produce more heat per pound than pellets made of softwoods like pine or spruce. The heat-to-weight ratio for different species is also crucial.
The initial cost of a stove made of pellets is lower than a wood stove. However, it requires replacement after 10 to 15 years. The majority of manufacturers suggest that you take away all unneeded pellets at the end the heating season from the stove feed system, hopper and ash pan. This will help prevent rusting of the appliance and make it easier to light at the start of the next heating period. The flue vent should be cleaned frequently to avoid soot accumulation.
Although the pellet stove was more efficient than the fireplace and spruce split log burner for most impact categories The results of this study are specific to the appliances that were tested and the conditions under which they operating. More research is required to assess the performance of different residential wood-based heating systems from a cradle to grave perspective, taking into account the management of forests wood split and pellet log production, storage and transport, and thermal energy generation.
Maintenance
Wood and pellet stoves require regular maintenance to keep the burning process running smoothly and efficiently. Every week, cleaning is needed to get rid of ash and other debris. They should also be cleaned out of their ash pans as well as the vent pipes frequently. Following these guidelines helps prevent the accumulation of creosote that could cause the stove to malfunction.
Each season, a professional technician should clean and inspect the pellet stove. This will help determine and fix any mechanical problems before they become more serious. The technician should also clean and inspect venting system in order to ensure proper functioning. The technician should also clean any parts that are clogged or oily and lubricate the fans.
Pellet stoves need more maintenance than wood stoves, as they are more complex. The controls, the blower and the hopper require electricity. In addition, they need to be connected to an exhaust pipe that can either be a small chimney for the roof or an exhaust pipe directly through the wall behind the stove. The installer can give advice to the homeowner on the best way to go about it based on their home layout and the stove type.
To avoid moisture exposure for both pellet and wood stoves must be stored in a dry, clean area. It is not recommended to store them on concrete floors since they absorb moisture and then become infected. They should be stored in sealed storage containers to shield them from pests and contaminants. They should be checked regularly, and refilled with pellets of the highest quality.
Wood stoves and pellet stoves aren't only efficient heating sources, but they can also aid in saving money on your energy bills. However, it is crucial to choose the right kind of wood or pellets to ensure that they burn efficiently. The species of oak, hickory and maple are great choices because they have high heat content per pound, and produce less creosote than the other species.
It is important to keep your pellet or wood stove on a regular schedule to avoid costly repairs. This will also increase the life of your stove. In addition to cleaning it regularly, it is important to examine the ventilation system for obstructions and to clean the glass door.