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Choosing Between a Wood and Pellet Stove Wood and pellet stoves are available in a range of styles that can be incorporated into fireplaces already in place. They look attractive and can provide warmth to homes. Pellet stoves use compressed wood waste such as shavings and sawdust to create hot air. A fan is used to force exhaust gasses through specially designed venting system. Cost One of the most important factors when comparing a wood heat stove to a pellet stove is the cost. While pellet stoves are likely to be more expensive in the beginning than their counterparts, their costs are considerably lower when they are compared to domestic fossil fuels and electric heating sources. The long-term savings from the reduction in dependence on central heating can also help offset the initial cost. Pellet stoves use the combustion chamber to burn compressed pellet fuel like oat, alfalfa or Timothy. These wood-like pellets have a higher heat content per pound than cordwood and they burn more hot to produce more BTUs per hour. Additionally, pellet fuel can be purchased in bulk to cut down on the amount of time required to refill the stove hopper. The pellet stove has the benefit of being automatic. The stove will keep the temperature you set on the thermostat. This saves you from having to constantly add fuel to your fire, and it prevents large temperature fluctuations in your home, which can occur when you use wood stoves. The convenience of a pellet stove is also evident in the lower maintenance it requires than wood stoves. A wood stove needs to be maintained regularly to avoid creosote accumulation, while pellet stoves produce little and require only periodic cleaning of the chimney vent to ensure maximum performance. The initial investment in pellet stoves is typically higher than wood heat stoves. However, the energy savings can offset this expense over time. A pellet stove requires power to bring pellets into the combustion chamber. This can pose problematic in the event of an outage in power. However batteries backup systems are in place to mitigate this risk. If properly maintained, wood heat stoves as well as pellet stoves are fairly safe to use. To ensure the security of your wood heat stove, make sure you adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines for operation and upkeep. This includes removing any unused pellets at the conclusion of each heating season from the stove's feed system, hopper, and cleaning the flue vent regularly to prevent the build-up of soot. Energy Efficiency A pellet or wood heater is a great option for your home because they are cheaper than oil or gas heaters. They can also be used to create a comfortable environment and as an alternative to heating methods like the furnace or fireplace. If you're looking for a new stove, it's essential that you choose the right one to meet your requirements and budget. Pellet stoves are rectangular in shape. They come with an hopper, a combustion chamber and vent to exhaust the combustion gases. The stoves are self-lighting, and include a thermostat to allow you to regulate the temperature of your home. They are a great option to heat small or large homes depending on their wattage as well as their ability to generate enough heat per hour. There are many different types of pellet fuel, including grains, nutshells, wood and nutshells. Other byproducts, such as paper and cardboard can also be used. You'll need to decide the type of pellets that you'd like to use. Some will burn well and produce too much ash. The best quality pellets will have an energy density that is high 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 run fans and augers to feed pellets into the combustion chamber. You might want to install an emergency generator or backup system to ensure you have the ability to generate heat in the event of power outage. Pellet stoves can be more efficient than wood burning stoves due to the fact that they require less air to burn and produce less creosote and ash. Both wood and pellet stoves need some maintenance. However wood stoves typically require more maintenance. You will need to regularly remove the accumulation of “clinker” and ash from the bottom of your stove. It is recommended to use a metal vacuum cleaner with a flexible hose to remove the hot material. Depending on the type of stove you buy it is likely that you will need to change the fire screen at least every year, also. Environmental Impact Wood burning stoves produce huge quantities of air pollutants which include nitrogen oxides as well as volatile organic compounds such as dioxins and furans. These emissions also contribute to fine particle pollution, which can harm human health. Burning wood also creates creosote. This carcinogenic and toxic substance can build up in the flue and trigger house fires. Wood pellets create less air pollution, have no creosote is produced and require less storage space than logs. pellet stoves modern require more maintenance than log fireplaces. They should be inspected by the homeowner and a professional annually to ensure that they are operating correctly. They also require electricity to run fans control systems, pellet feeders, and even controls. A pellet stove consumes about 100 kilowatt hours per month, if it is used in a normal manner. If the power is cut off 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 depend on the species size, moisture content and size of the wood used. Wood pellets made of dense hardwoods like oak and hickory produce more heat on a pound for pound basis than pellets made from softwoods such as pine or spruce. The heat-to-weight ratio is an important factor. The initial cost of a stove constructed of pellets is less than a wood stove. However, it needs to be replaced after 10 to 15 years. The majority of manufacturers recommend that you remove all pellets that are no longer used from the stove's hopper as well as feed system at the end of the heating season which will help stop rust from forming and make lighting the stove at the beginning of the next heating season easier. The flue vent must be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent soot build-up. The results of this study, even though the pellet stove performed better in most impact categories than the fireplace or spruce log burner are specific to the appliances and the conditions under which they were operating. Further research is needed to assess the efficiency of residential wood-based heating systems in a cradle to grave perspective. This includes forest management activities such as wood split logs and pellet production, transport and storing thermal energy production. Maintenance To keep the burning process efficient and smooth, pellet and wood stoves need regular maintenance. Weekly cleaning is required to eliminate ash and other debris. The ash pans, as well as the vent pipes, must be cleaned regularly. These rules help stop the accumulation of creosote that can cause a stove's malfunction. A qualified technician should carry out the cleaning and inspection of a pellet stove before use every season. This will help to spot any mechanical issues and fix them before they become worse. In addition the technician should wash and examine the venting system to ensure it is in good operation. The technician should also replace any parts that are blocked or oiled and lubricate the fans. Pellet stoves need more maintenance than wood stoves because they are more complex. They require electricity to power the blower, controls and the hopper. In addition, they require to be connected to an exhaust pipe that could be a small chimney on the roof or directly venting through the wall behind the stove. The installer will advise the homeowner on the best method for their home layout and stove type. To avoid exposure to moisture to moisture, 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 become polluted. They should be stored in sealed storage containers to guard them from pests and other contaminants. They should be checked regularly and filled with pellets of high quality. In addition to being a reliable heat source In addition to being a great source of heat, pellet stoves and wood are a great way to reduce your energy costs. It is essential to choose the right type of pellets or wood in order to ensure they burn properly. Oak, hickory, and maple are good options due to their an extremely high heat content per pound, and produce less creosote than other species. If you have an electric or wood stove, it is important to maintain it on a regular basis to avoid costly repairs and to prolong its life. It is important to not only clean it regularly, but also to check for any obstructions in the ventilation system and clean the door.