Wood Pellet Stove Options
A wood pellet stove is an energy efficient heating appliance, usually powered by wood, coal or wood-derived biomass fuel. Generally the stove itself consists of a sturdy metal closed box, often lined with fire brick, and at least one or several heat controls. The wood or coal fuel is burnt in an oxygenated environment inside the stove, causing the fuel to burn vigorously and thus providing very hot steam to begin the burning process.

There are many types of wood pellet stoves available on the market today. Some of the more popular types of stoves include the vertical mount, the floor standing, the freestanding, the chiminea and the rotisserie stoves. Most wood pellets that are used in these stoves are made from woods like sawdust and firewood.

On the plus side, wood stoves tend to be very cheap to operate. They have few, if any, moving parts, so they tend to run very inexpensively and keep their energy efficiency over time. On the minus side, because wood stoves generate a lot of heat, a lot of the heat they produce is wasted, especially if the stove is not used for a long period of time. In the summertime, especially, a wood pellet stove can use up large amounts of electricity. This can be a big problem in areas where air quality is poor.

On the plus side, pellets used in a wood pellet stove are considered to be very renewable energy sources. Unlike fossil fuels, which are drilled for and consequently extracted from the earth, pellet plants are generally managed with sustainable forestry methods. The harvesting of pellets is also not depleted, unlike oil. Also, unlike oil, which has to be kept in large vats, most wood pellets are stored in an air-tight cylindrical container, which prevents them from spilling or leaking out into the air. In addition, because pellets are made from wood, they are considered to be completely bio-degradable, making them environmentally friendly.

As mentioned earlier, some stoves require electricity to run, while others run off natural, residual heat. A number of wood pellet stoves have been designed to burn either type of fuel - electricity or wood - at varying temperatures. If you don't mind buying a number of wood pellets for your stove every month, this is an excellent option. However, if you want to save money and have the opportunity to burn only natural, renewable heat energy, this isn't the way to go. With a natural wood pellet stove, you can make your own fire, just as you would with a traditional fireplace. Just make sure that the wood that you choose is clean, dry and of good quality.

In summary, wood pellet stoves are a viable option for your home. While you may not immediately think of them as eco-friendly, they actually use less wood and produce little to no pollution. They're also easy to maintain, making them a good long-term investment. Make sure that you do your research before deciding on the stove you would like to purchase, though, to be sure that it will work well in your area.