Don't Make This Silly Mistake When It Comes To Your Wood And Pellet Stove
Choosing Between a Wood and Pellet Stove
Wood and pellet stoves come in a variety of styles that are able to fit into existing fireplaces. They look stylish and offer heat to homes.
Pellet stoves produce hot air by burning compressed wood waste like sawdust and shavings. A fan is used to force exhaust gases through a specially designed venting systems.
Cost
One of the primary considerations when comparing a wood heat stove to a pellet stove is the cost. While pellet stoves tend to be more expensive in the beginning than their counterparts, their prices are considerably lower when contrasted with home fossil fuels and electric heat sources. The long-term savings of a reduced dependency on a central heating system can help offset the initial cost.
Pellet stoves burn compressed pellet fuels such as alfalfa or timothy in an enclosed combustion chamber. These pellets resemble wood and have a higher heat content per pound than cordwood, and they burn hotter to produce more BTUs per hour. In addition pellet fuel can be bought in bulk, which can reduce the amount of time required to refill a stove hopper.
The pellet stove has the benefit of being automatic. You can set the temperature you want on a thermostat, and the appliance will maintain the room at this exact temperature. This will save you from having to continually add fuel to a fire, and it prevents large temperature swings in your home that can occur when using wood stoves.
The pellet stove requires less maintenance than a wood-burning stove. Wood stoves must be cleaned frequently to prevent creosote buildup. However, pellet stoves produce a minimal amount of dust and require only periodic cleaning of the chimney to ensure optimal performance.
The initial investment in pellet stoves is generally higher than wood heat stoves. However the energy savings could reduce this cost over time. A pellet stove also requires power to allow the pellets into the combustion chamber, which can cause problems in the event of an electrical outage. However batteries backup systems are readily available to help reduce this danger.
Both kinds of wood heat stoves as well as pellet stoves are relatively safe to operate when properly maintained. To ensure the safety of your stove, you should adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance and operation. This includes removing unused pellets from the stove hopper and feed system at the conclusion of each heating season, and sweeping the flue vent every day to prevent the build-up of soot.
Energy Efficiency
A pellet or wood stove can be a great option for homes because they produce heat at a more cost-effective rate than gas or oil heaters. They can also be utilized to create a warm atmosphere and also as an alternative heating method like a fireplace or furnace. If you're looking for a new stove it's important that you select the ideal one for your requirements and budget.
Pellet stoves are rectangular in design and include an air chamber, a fan, vents, and hopper to vent gasses from combustion. They can be self-lighting, and include a thermostat to let you control the temperature inside your home. They can be used to heat small or large homes, depending on the wattage of the unit and its capability to generate a sufficient amount of heat per hour.
There are a variety of pellet fuel, including grains, nutshells, wood and nutshells. Other byproducts such as cardboard and paper can also be used. Depending on the type of pellet you use you'll need to take into consideration whether it's burning properly or produce excessive ash. The top pellets have higher energy density. This means they will produce more heat than the cheaper ones.
Like a wood stove pellet stoves are powered by electricity that is used to control fans and augers that deliver the pellets into the combustion chamber. A power outage can affect how much heat you're able to generate and you might want to install an additional generator or backup system in the event of a power failure. Pellet stoves are typically more efficient than wood stoves because they don't require more air to burn and produce less ash and creosote.
Both wood and pellet stoves require some maintenance, however wood stoves generally need more maintenance than pellet stoves. You'll have to clean out the accumulated ash and "clinker" from the bottom of the stove regularly. You should use a steel vacuum and a flexible hose to get rid of the hot material. Based on the type of stove you choose to purchase it is likely that you will have to replace the fire screen at least every year, also.
Environmental Impact
Wood-burning stoves release huge quantities of air pollutants like nitrogen oxides volatile organic compounds (furans and dioxins) and volatile organic substances. These emissions can also lead to fine particle pollution that can be harmful to human health. Additionally burning wood releases creosote, a toxic and carcinogenic chemical, which accumulates in the flue vent and can cause house fires. Wood pellets produce less air pollution, have no creosote is produced and require less storage space than logs.
Pellet stoves also require more care than log fireplaces. They must be inspected by the homeowner and a professional every year to ensure they're operating properly. Electricity is also used to power the controls, fans and pellet feeders. A pellet stove requires approximately 100 kilowatts per month, if it is used in a normal manner. The stove will not operate in the event that power is cut off in the event of an emergency battery backup.
The species, size, and moisture content of wood used will determine the efficiency of energy and environmental impact of a pellet stove or wood stove. Wood pellets made from dense hardwood timber such as oak and hickory, generate more heat per pound than pellets made of softwoods, such as pine or spruce. The heat-toweight ratio is also an important aspect.
While the initial cost of a pellet stove is lower than that of a wood stove, it will still require replacement every 10 to 15 years. Most manufacturers recommend removing all pellets that are no longer used from the stove hopper and feed system at the close of the heating season, which will help to prevent rusting and make lighting the stove at the beginning of the next heating season much easier. The flue vent needs to be cleaned frequently to avoid soot build-up.
The results of this study, while the pellet stove was more efficient in the majority of impact categories than the fireplace or spruce log burner are specific to the equipment and the conditions in which they operated. Further research is needed to compare performance of residential wood-based heating systems in a cradle to grave perspective. This includes forest management activities including wood split log and pellet production, transport and storing and storing thermal energy.
Maintenance
To ensure that the process of burning remains efficient and smooth, wood and pellet stoves need regular maintenance. Weekly cleaning is required to get rid of ash and other debris. pellet stoves cheap need to be cleared of their ash pans as well as the vent pipes on a regular basis. These requirements help to stop the buildup of creosote that can cause a stove to malfunction.
Every season, a professional technician should clean and inspect the pellet stove before each season. This will help determine and fix any mechanical problems before they become serious. In addition, the technician should clean and examine the venting system to ensure it is in good operation. The technician must also lubricate and clean the fans and replace any parts that are blocked.
Pellet stoves need more maintenance than wood stoves due to the fact that 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 could be a small chimney on the roof or a direct vent through the wall behind the stove. The installer can give advice to the homeowner on the best way to go about it in accordance with their home's layout and the type of stove.
Both wood and pellet stoves are best kept in a dry, clean area to avoid exposure to moisture. It is not recommended to place them directly on concrete floors as they absorb moisture and then become contaminated. To protect them from insects, they should be stored in sealed containers. They must also be regularly inspected and filled with pellets of the highest quality.
In addition to being a reliable heating source Wood and pellet stoves can be a great option to save on energy bills. It is important to select the right type of pellets or wood to ensure they burn efficiently. The species of oak, hickory and maple are great options due to their high levels of heat per pound, and produce less creosote than the other species.
If best pellet stove inserts own a wood or pellet stove, it is essential to maintain it regularly to avoid costly repairs and to extend its lifespan. In addition to cleaning it regularly it is crucial to check the ventilation system for any obstructions and to clean the glass door.