Choosing Between a Wood and Pellet Stove
Wood and pellet stoves come in a range of styles that fit into existing fireplaces. They are attractive and provide warmth to homes.
Pellet stoves burn wood waste like shavings and sawdust to generate hot air. They also use an exhaust fan to push the gases through specially designed venting systems.
Cost
When comparing wood heat stoves to pellet stoves, the cost is a major determinant. Pellet stoves are more expensive initially than their counterparts. However, they are much cheaper when compared with home fossil fuels or electric heat sources. Additionally, the long-term savings that can be derived from reduced dependence on central heating systems can make up for the initial cost.
Pellet stoves utilize an internal combustion chamber to burn compressed pellet fuel like alfalfa, oat or timothy. These pellets resemble wood and have a higher percentage of heat per pound than cordwood and they burn hotter to produce more BTUs per hour. Pellet fuel can also be bought in bulk, which decreases the time needed to refill a stove's hopper.
The pellet stove has the advantage of being an automatic. The appliance will maintain the temperature you set on the thermostat. It is also easier to maintain an unbroken fire and avoids the extreme temperature fluctuations that can occur when cooking on a stove.
The pellet stove requires less maintenance than a wood burning stove. While a wood stove must be regularly cleaned to avoid the accumulation of creosote pellet stoves typically produce little creosote, and require regular cleaning of the chimney flue vent to ensure that it is operating at its best.
Initial investments in pellet stoves are generally more expensive than wood heat stoves, however the energy savings they offer can help offset these costs over time. A pellet stove requires power to feed pellets into the combustion chamber. This can pose an issue in the event of power outages. However, battery backup systems are available to mitigate this danger.
Both types of wood heat stoves as well as pellet stoves are relatively safe to operate if they are maintained. To ensure the safety of your stove, you should follow the manufacturer's instructions for maintenance and operation. 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 every day to reduce the accumulation of soot.
Energy Efficiency
A wood or pellet stove is a good choice for a home because they generate heat at a much more cost-effective rate than gas or oil heaters. They also create a warm atmosphere and can also be used as an alternative to traditional heating methods like a furnace or fireplace. If you're in the market for a new stove it's important to select the best one to meet your needs and budget.
Pellet stoves are rectangular in design and feature a combustion chamber, fan, hopper, and vent to exhaust combustion gases. They can be self-lighting and include a thermostat that allows you to regulate the temperature of your home. They can be used for heating small to large houses based 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, grain, and other byproducts of cardboard and paper. best pellet stove 'll need to decide what kind of pellets you'd like to use. Some will burn well and produce excessive Ash. The highest quality pellets will have an energy density that is high, which means they'll produce more heat than lesser-quality brands.
A pellet stove makes use of electricity to power fans and augers that feed pellets into the combustion chamber. An outage in power can affect the amount of heat you're able to generate therefore you might need to install an additional generator or backup system in the event of a power loss. Pellet stoves are more efficient than wood-burning stoves since they require less air to burn and produce less creosote or ash.
Both wood and pellet stoves require some care, however wood stoves typically require more maintenance than pellet stoves. You'll need to remove the accumulated ash and "clinker" from the bottom of the stove often. It's recommended that you 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. Based on the type of stove you choose to purchase you'll probably have to replace the fire screen at least every year, as well.
Environmental Impact
Wood-burning stoves release massive amounts of air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides volatile organic compounds (furans and dioxins), and volatile organic substances. These emissions can also cause fine particle pollution that can be harmful to human health. In addition burning wood releases creosote, a toxic and carcinogenic chemical that builds up in the flue vents and can cause house fires. Wood pellets create less air pollution, have no creosote, and require less storage space than logs.
Pellet stoves are also more complex than log fireplaces and require regular inspections by the homeowner as well as by an expert on an annual basis to ensure that they function properly. They also use electricity to run fans and controls as well as pellet feeders. In normal use, a pellet stove consumes approximately 100 kilowatt-hours a month. The stove won't work when the power goes out in the event of a battery backup.
The species size, the size, and the moisture content of the wood used will determine the energy efficiency and environmental impact of a pellet stove or wood stove. Wood pellets that are made of dense hardwoods, such as oak and hickory produce more heat pound for pound than pellets made of softwoods such as pine or spruce. The ratio of heat to weight is an important aspect.
While the initial cost of pellet stoves is lower than a wood stove, it will need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years. The majority of manufacturers recommend that you remove all unused pellets after the heating season from the stove hopper, feed system, and ash pan. This will help prevent rusting of the appliance and allow it to be lit at the start of the next heating season. It is also recommended that the vent for the flue be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent soot buildup.
The results of this study, even though the pellet stove performed better in all impact categories than the fireplace or spruce log stove, are specific to the appliance and conditions under the conditions they operated. Further research is needed to compare performance of residential heating systems in a cradle to grave perspective. This includes forest management, wood split log and pellet production, transport and storage and storing thermal energy.
Maintenance
Wood and pellet stoves require regular maintenance to keep the combustion process functioning smoothly and efficiently. Weekly cleaning is required to remove ash and debris. They should also be cleared of their ash pans and the vent pipes frequently. These rules help stop the accumulation of creosote which can cause a stove to malfunction.
A qualified technician should carry out the cleaning and inspection of a pellet stove prior the start of each season. This will help detect and resolve any mechanical issues before they become more severe. The technician should also clean and inspect venting systems to ensure that it is functioning properly. The technician should also replace any parts that are blocked or oiled and lubricate the fans.
Pellet stoves are more complex than wood stoves and require a little more care in maintaining. The controls, the blower and the hopper require electricity. They must also 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 advise the homeowner on the most appropriate option for their home's layout and stove style.
To avoid moisture exposure to moisture, both pellet and wood stoves must be stored in an air-tight, dry area. It is not recommended to store them on concrete floors since they absorb moisture and then become polluted. To keep them safe from insects They should be stored in sealed containers. They should also be inspected regularly and filled with pellets of the highest quality.
Wood and pellet stoves are not only efficient heat sources but they also help you save money on your energy bills. But, it's important to select the correct kind of wood or pellets to ensure that they burn correctly. Hickory, oak and maple are good choices as they are less likely to produce creosote and have a high percentage of heat per pound.
It is important to maintain your pellet or wood stove on a regular basis to avoid costly repairs. This will also extend the life of your stove. It is essential to not just clean it frequently but also to look for obstructions in the ventilation system as well as to clean the door.