What is a Pellet Stove?

Pellet stoves are among the cleanest wood-burning heating appliances that are available on the market. However, instead of burning "regular" wood, they burn small, compressed pellets that are made from ground, dried wood and other biomass wastes. Pellet stoves deliver high efficiency overall.

One difference between a pellet stove and wood stoves/fireplaces is that the majority of pellet stoves require electricity in order to operate. This electricity is needed for a small electrical device in the stove that controls the flow of pellets into the stove, where they are burned. Some models even include a thermostat.

While there is a drawback of having a stove that uses electricity (no heat if the power goes out). Having a thermostat is a huge benefit that you won't see on other stoves or on fireplaces.

How Wood Stoves Work

Wood stoves have been in homes since the 19th century (if not before). These useful little stoves helped families keep warm in the winter and gave them a place to prepare their food (see cooking on a wood stove). The wood stove of today is a bit more evolved than its past ancestor. Wood stoves now are clean and efficient and use cheap renewable local fuel, do not rely on petroleum, and they produce less pollution than a fireplace.

Wood stoves provide a heat source through the burning of wood.While the wood burns heat is given off through the tops and sides of the stove while the wood smoke goes out through the wood stove pipe, flue, and then the chimney.

For a wood stove to be truly efficient it needs to be properly installed, and you will need to be sure to choose the right size wood stove for your home.