Going Green Eco Friendly Advantages Of Wood Pellet Stoves
In spite of the growing trend towards going green and eco friendly advocates and products… wood pellet stoves have continued to increase in popularity! And, they have done so ever since their invention back in the 1980s. So just how do these stoves fit into the scheme of eco friendly and going green? It is because these stoves burn recycled timber waste: sawdust that has been compressed into small pellets. The major advantages of wood-pellet stoves – their efficiency, convenience, low fuel cost and lack of waste – are becoming more widely known and appreciated.
Once fired up, wood pellet stoves operate by means of machinery that simply adds pellets to the fire when required. As pellets are consumed, new pellets are added to a hopper. Simply, they are self-fed with a mechanism that moves the pellets to the fire.
They are normally free-standing, however, they are also available as a fireplace insert. They’ve been designed for cleanliness and convenience and the self-feeding operation means that very little attention is required, unlike more traditional stoves, such as those burning only wood. Once the hopper has been filled with pellets, you just set the thermostat and the stove will provide a constant heat for hours, or even days… without any further intervention required.
Wood pellet stoves also have a larger efficiency rating than larger and more costly gas heaters. This rating is normally in the range 80-85%. As well, they commonly have a negative pressure system that causes the hot air to be expelled outward and, as a result, the heat spreads further than it would occur naturally.
Hot air circulation is aided by a small fan and is distributed far more effectively than happens with stoves and heaters which rely mainly on radiant heat to warm a room. This also means that the external walls of wood pellet stoves usually don’t get hot, and are safer for those members of the family such as children, and pets who may get too dangerously close to a stove or heater.
In addition, the burning efficiency of wood pellet stoves is so complete that hardly any smoke is emitted and a large chimney is not required to keep the house free of smoke. Instead, only a small pipe is required for wood pellet stoves to dispose of what little smoke they produce.
This efficiency also results in less waste to dispose of. No more than a cup of ashes is produced from a forty pound bag of pellets. Many users go for months without having to empty the ashes from a wood pellet stove.
Moreover, the pellets themselves are merely hardwood sawdust that has been compressed at high temperatures without any binding of glue or chemicals, simply making use of a waste product from wood mills and lumber yards.
The availability of raw material and simplicity of manufacture contribute significantly to the low cost, which is roughly only about $5 for a forty pound bag… with discounts available for larger purchases. This is a big saving over a few pieces of wood that can cost as much as $10.00 for a few sticks when available. The wood pellets are available nation wide.
As you can clearly see, wood-pellet stoves have emerged as an excellent alternative to the traditional wood, gas and electric heating systems. They are inexpensive to run and provide enough heat to warm a family home. They really do have a smart place in a going green, and eco friendly world.


