Pellet Stoves Vs. Wood Stoves

Stoves or fireplaces are a must for those living in cold regions. A stove keeps your home warm, thereby preventing you from cold and discomfort. You have several options when it comes to choosing the heating unit. Wood stoves have traditionally been a favorite amongst homeowners for their antique look.

However, pellet stoves are slowly replacing wood stoves, given their convenience. In this article, we have done a detailed comparison between the two stoves, so that choosing the best one becomes easier for you.

Pellet stoves and wood stoves differ from each other in various aspects. Although, both are essentially wood burning home heating appliances, there is a vast difference in mode of operation of the two. Let us know what are the drawbacks and advantages of each of these appliances.

If your home flaunts antique furniture and a rustic look overall, then wood stoves might be for you. Pellet stoves are ideal for modern, contemporary homes. Earlier, pellet stoves were a closed unit with a very unattractive look about them. However, these days you get pellet stoves that look absolutely elegant and stylish.

Performance of these two appliances is measured in terms of heat output generated. In that respect, pellet stoves are far more efficient than traditional wood stoves. They have a BTU rating that is three to four times higher than that of wood stoves. As BTU rating is a determinant of a unit's performance, you can be sure that pellet stoves are any time more efficient than wood stoves.

Wood stoves work on wood inserts or firewood. Pellet stoves use a special pellet fuel. Fuel required for wood stoves is very easy to procure as wood stoves are widely used and firewood is easily available. However, procuring pellet fuel can be a problem in some areas. Nonetheless, this heating appliance is becoming popular now, hence getting pellet fuel wouldn't be much of a problem now.

Pellet stoves are less messy and burn clean. Inserting wood in wood stoves causes a lot of mess after burning. Besides, wood stove produces lot of smoke and thus pollutes air. Pellet stoves produce fewer emission products, thereby giving out smokeless heat. Cleaning pellet stoves is also very easy due to less mess.

Pellet stoves need electricity to burn. Although, some pellet stoves come with a battery backup, a breakdown in electricity mostly hampers the working of pellet stoves. Thus, if you have electricity problems in your area, you may have to install a backup heating unit in addition to pellet stoves. Wood stoves on the other hand can keep your home warm irrespective of irregularities in electricity supply.

The smoke erupting from wood stoves causes air pollution. Hence, wood stoves may not be the best choice if you are looking for a green heating unit. However, pellet stove too isn't an ideal option when it comes to eco-friendliness. As pellet stove relies on electricity, it may increase your power consumption substantially. If you are relying on conventional energy sources then it may cause substantial release of carbon dioxide.

Convenience is probably the most important advantage of pellet stoves, which forces home owners to buy them. Pellet stoves operate on thermostat, thus, you can enjoy a uniform temperature all around day. besides, you are relieved of the hassles of inserting firewood every now and then.

Pellet stoves are more expensive than wood stoves when you consider the cost of unit. Pellet stoves are more complex than wood stoves and cost about $1700 - $3500, wood stoves on the other hand cost about $700 - $3000. Pellet stove installation cost is same as that for wood stove. However, when you consider the cost of fuel as well, wood stoves may turn out to be more expensive of the two, in the long run.

Hope this article gave you an overview regarding performance and other factors of the two stoves. Thus, you can choose any of these as per your individual requirements.