Pellet burning stoves (also known as biomass stoves) offer a home heating solution that is becoming one of the most popular in the U.S. This is a result of the efficiency and the straightforward nature of the appliance.
Tests done by the U.S. Department of Energy conclude that when compared side by side, a wood stove and a pellet stove have very different operating characteristics and offer very different benefits. Here, we offer a further examination of just why pellet stoves are considered superior.
Fuel Composition and Consistency
Compressed wood pellets made from sawdust, wood shavings, and other wood industry byproducts are used in a biomass stove. These pellets are made to be the same size and have a hole running through the center, which allows for quicker, more even combustion. The heat produced by the burning pellets is channeled directly into the room via a fan that comes standard with most models.
Combustion Efficiency
The optimal combustion of fuel occurs in pellet stoves. They use an auger system to automatically feed pellets into the combustion chamber at just the right rate for a nice, consistent flame and heat level. This feeding mechanism does not waste any fuel.
Wood stoves, on the other hand, are not as good at keeping the fire burning evenly. And when they don’t burn evenly, they can’t produce heat efficiently. Biomass stoves are equipped with fans and sensors that regulate how much air goes into the combustion chamber.
With the right amount of air, the fuel burns completely. That is not always the case with wood stoves. When they don’t have enough air, wood stove fires tend to smolder. Smoldering fires produce a lot of smoke and are bad for residents and the environment.
Energy Conversion and Heat Output
High energy conversion rates, often above 75% efficiency, characterize pellet stoves. This means that a large portion of the energy in the pellets converts into usable heat. Traditional wood stoves, particularly older models, are far less efficient. Many of them convert only 40-60% of the wood’s energy into heat.
In contrast, modern biomass stoves have advanced heat exchangers that do a much better job of transferring heat to the room while minimizing energy loss through the chimney.
Convenience and Automation
Being efficient is not only about how much fuel is consumed; it’s also about how easy the appliance is to operate. Today’s pellet burning stoves have the kind of equipment that allows for not only ease of use but also a high degree of control.
They are equipped with thermostats that get the job done far better than anything an old wood cook stove or a campfire could muster.
Pellet Stoves Offer Numerous Advantages to Traditional Wood Burning Stoves
Though both pellet and classic wood stoves deliver dependable warmth, pellet burning options are the more efficient of the two. The consistently high quality of their fuel, their advanced combustion technology, and the automated nature of the stove make it a better choice for a homeowner looking for an alternative to a wood stove that is just as “green” but costs less, both in money and in time/effort to operate.