Q1: Do wood pellets really burn hotter than solid wood?
A: Wood pellets are made from recycled materials that are heavily compressed to reduce moisture content. Because dry fuel generates more heat, pellets burn hotter and cleaner than wood fuel. Traditional fireplaces create more pollution than wood pellet stoves.
Q2: How many pounds of pellets are needed to heat a house?
A: There are 40 lb pellet bags on the market. You can get about 24 hours of heat from a bag of pellets, depending on the size of your home and the usage of your pellet stove. Fifty 40lb bags per ton, 2-5 tons are recommended to cover the entire heating season.
Q3: Is it more cost-effective to burn wood or pellets?
A: Pellets cost a little more per year than wood, but they last longer. In either case, a log or ton of pellets should cost around $190, according to the Department of Energy.
Q4: Is it worth investing in a pellet stove?
A: A pellet stove is worth it when you consider that a 40,000 Btu pellet stove can heat a standard-sized three-bedroom home for 25% less than a traditional wood burner. Pellet stoves are cheaper to run because they are more efficient and pellets are cheaper to buy than wood.
Q5: Can I run the pellet stove 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
A: Some pellet stove models can burn continuously 24 hours a day as long as the hopper has an adequate supply of pellets. Many pellet stoves also allow customers to schedule when they want to heat up.