Advantages of Wood Pellets as a Home Heating Source

Although pellets have been made for many decades for many uses, it was not until the late 70s that pellets started being made for burning as a source of energy. After wood pellet stoves started becoming popular the reviews from consumers have been mixed. Some people love their pellet stoves, while others say they would never buy one again.

Since pellets were such a new technology a couple decades ago when they first became popular, there have been some challenges in both pellet fuel production and the stoves themselves. One big problem was pellet shortages. The demand for this fuel grew faster than suppliers could make them. But as more manufacturers are now making pellets and better supplies have been developed, the supplies have been stabilized in many areas.

As alternative energy is becoming more in demand, more people are looking at pellets as a fossil fuel alternative. Pellets are clean burning and considered to be carbon neutral. Pellet stoves provide the convenience of gas or electric heat since they are self feeding and can be controlled by a thermostat. The pellet hopper on most stoves does have to be manually filled but once full, the stove will feed itself for a while.

With wood pellets you get the comfortable heat that only wood heat can provide but without all the hassles of dealing with firewood. No more coming home to a cold house or waking up to a fire that has gone out in a wood stove. Clean burning pellets do not produce the smoke and pollution and do not need a chimney. A simple and inexpensive vent for the exhaust is all that is needed. These vents are low maintenence and do not have the problems chimneys do with creosote buildup.

Another disadvantage of pellet stoves is they require some electricity to operate the components such as the pellet feed and thermostat controls. This can be a problem when the power goes out. But now with battery backups this is not a problem so much any more. Wood pellet heat has had its challenges in the past but with developments in pellet technology, pellets are again rising in popularity.

Learn how to make wood pellets.

Learn about firewood, how to store firewood and how to measure a cord of wood.