Pellet Stoves Pros and Cons

A pellet stove, also known as a pellet furnace, is a space heating device that burns small pellets made from compacted corn waste, wood chips, bark, waste paper or sawdust. Pellet stoves are popular for their heating efficiency and high combustion. They are increasingly gaining importance in both residential and industrial sectors, as a source of supplemental heat, since they are cleaner and convenient to use as compared to wood stoves. However, pellet stoves rely on convective heat unlike wood stoves that depend on radiant heat. Hence, families with small children can consider buying pellet stoves, as they do not get too hot on touching. It is important to look at the pros and cons of pellet stoves before you go ahead with purchasing one. With the following lines, have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of pellet stoves.

Advantages Of Pellet Stoves

Pellet stoves are convenient to use and can be easily started by pushing a button or adjusting the thermostat.
They are better for the quality of air, since they are clean burning devices and are made from waste materials of agricultural byproducts and wood products like furniture, sawdust and lumber.
Pellet stoves burn efficiently, thereby creating less ash than wood. Hence, it is easy to clean up the mess created by pellet stoves.
They are easy to handle and require less space for storing.
They can be easily stacked and transported.
Pellet stoves are available in different sizes sufficient enough to heat small homes as well as multi-family living environments like apartments, townhomes or condominiums.
It is easy to regulate the heat of a pellet stove by either using a thermostat or changing the heat output directly on the stove.
Since the fire and heat produced by pellet stoves is electronically controlled, there are no chances of danger to children and items placed nearby.

Disadvantages Of Pellet Stoves

The major disadvantage of pellet stoves is their cost. Considering the price and cost of installation, they are comparatively very expensive.
Since pellet stoves are mechanical, they are more likely to fail than wood or gas stoves, especially if they are not maintained properly.
They add up to your cost since they need electricity to run the fans and motors. This means, you lose your heat whenever you lose power.
Pellet stoves result in noise pollution causing a constant, dull and mechanical rumble.
In order to keep the pellet stove performing well, it requires regular maintenance. While you can clean it weekly or monthly, but a professional should be called once a year to get it cleaned thoroughly.
The pellets used in a pellet stove are costlier than wood and may not be available throughout the year at some places.
Pellet stoves are not very appealing and pleasing to look when compared to a wood or gas stove. The fire burnt is small, intense and concentrated only in the burn pot.
For efficient operation of pellet stoves, they should be loaded, ignited, watched and cleaned.
Pellet stoves can sometimes adversely affect people with severe respiratory problems.

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