What to consider when choosing firewood or pellets?
If you want to choose well in your heating for the winter, you must take into account certain aspects such as energy efficiency, where to store the pellets or firewood and other important aspects.
Energy efficiency
We start with perhaps the most important factor. When choosing one type of heating or another, the first thing to take into account is its efficiency. If we talk about pellet stoves, energy efficiency in terms of calorific value is between 80% and 90%. While wood stoves yield at levels of 75%. This value is reduced in the case of wood stoves in those models where the chimney is open.
Added to this is the amount we use of one material or another when it comes to getting the useful heat we are looking for. In other words, to achieve the same amount of heat, a stove will need fewer pellets than firewood. Although here we have to pay close attention to the quality of the pellet that we buy, since there are different classes.
Economic factor
Without a doubt, the aspect that we will take into account when purchasing our stove is the initial outlay that it will require. Although it is true that a pellet stove requires a higher investment than a wood stove, we should not let it tip the scales. It is important to assess its performance and consumption so that cheap does not turn out to be expensive.
If we look at the price per kg of each of the materials, we find that for 1 kg of pellets we have to pay €0.23 and for 1 kg of wood €0.16. Seeing this, we would stay with the wood stove. However, as we said in the previous point, while the calorific value of both materials is similar, the performance is not. As we said, fewer pellets are needed to reach the same temperature.
Transport and storage
Here we already speak in terms of comfort. Due to the type of material and operation, the pellet tilts the balance in its favor since it is a more accessible material than firewood. In addition, the most common way in which it is sold is in bags, so it will be easier to transport and store at home.
On the other hand, the pellet does not require specific care for its maintenance. While the wood is necessary to keep it in a space free of moisture that has good ventilation. It is also advisable that it is not in contact with the ground so that it stays dry.
Design Types
Although we have left it for last, it is no less important. Once we have considered the aspects of energy efficiency, economic cost and comfort, it is time to choose the model that best suits our home. In this case we will not have problems. Both in physical stores and online we can find endless models and designs that adapt to all types of houses.
This is a selection of what we can find on the Internet:
Wood stoves
Caexven wood stove
- Thermal power 12 kW
- with oven model
Wood stove Joima Teyde Leñero
- Thermal power 12 kW
- Does not need connection to the electrical network
pellet stoves
Bio GE60 5.5 kW pellet stove
- Energy class A.
- Thermal power 4.8 kW.
- Yield 88 and 91%.
Fancy pellet stove
- Energy class A+.
- Thermal power 4.8 kW.
- Yield 87.2 and 93.2%.
After considering the different aspects of both stove types, it’s clear that we can’t categorically say a winner. Your decision will go through considering aspects such as energy efficiency, the use you are going to give it and the type of room you want to heat, since the cost of material can be a determining factor.
