Oil and fuel prices continue to rise on a daily basis. As a result of that, many people around the world are looking for cheaper, greener alternatives to replace necessary heating functions previously operated by traditional fuel. Wood burning pellet stoves not only help to alleviate the expenses associated with using oil, but they also serve as green alternatives for the environmentally conscious folks out there.
Wood burning pellet stoves are extremely efficient when compared to other alternative heating mechanisms as well as traditional systems. There is very little wastage of the raw material – recycled sawdust compressed into pellets – and virtually no smoke residue on the wall or ceiling of the home. The exterior of most models is made from cast iron, while the interior is generally stainless steel. Because there is so much metal, wood burning pellet stoves become hot when in use, so caution should be exercised when near them.
Wood burning pellet stoves are easy to get going, and equally easy to maintain. The inexpensive fuel generated from the wood pellets is evenly fed from the hopper into a burn pot where it is heated and ignited. Manufacturers usually recommend that high grade wood pellets be used instead of low grade pellets that create more mess and result in more frequent cleaning and higher maintenance costs for the stove. Once high grade pellets are used, the ash build-up in the stove is minimal. A regular shop vacuum can be used to clean the stove, but only when the wood ash is cold.
On the subject of pellets, the most common ones used for wood burning pellet stoves are actually the byproduct of waste materials from trees used to make furniture, lumber and other products. That puts them in the category of biomass fuel and classifies them as a sustainable energy source from renewable raw materials. Use of these pellets in wood burning pellet stoves addresses the issue of waste disposal, as the sawdust waste is converted and used constructively instead of being dumped.
Many people welcome how easy wood burning pellet stoves are on the pocket. The stoves generally cost between $1500 and $3000 depending on the features you need. A 40 lb bag of wood pellets costs about $5, while just about $180 can get you a whole ton! A safe estimate is that the average home will use about 3 tons of pellets during a winter season, rounding out the cost of heating to just under $550. In comparison, traditional oil and natural gas heating for an average home will run homeowners several thousand dollars due to the increased prices during the winter season.
The more you read and research, the more you will come to realize the numerous benefits of using wood burning pellet stoves as an alternative to conventional heating. This option should definitely be considered if you are concerned about high heating bills and endangerment of the environment. This solution is bound to make a significant positive impact in both areas.
