Would you like to buy a stove but don't know what to choose between wood and pellets? In both cases, the choice is undoubtedly advantageous in terms of energy savings and environmental sustainability.
There is no absolute right choice, but rather a choice suited to the specific needs and preferences of the person who will be using the system. In this article we will discover the differences and advantages of both solutions and everything you need to know to find out which type of stove is right for you!
In recent years, more and more households have chosen to use wood or pellets as their home heating fuel. One of the main reasons is undoubtedly the savings that can be made on heating costs. In fact, net of the recent price fluctuations on fuel, stoves can save a lot on the bill compared to traditional methods.
As mentioned earlier, the two types of stoves are not the same and in order to compare them, there are several factors to take into consideration, including: the level of energy efficiency, costs and consumption, environmental sustainability, ease of finding resources, design, etc.
But let's go in order.
Chosen not only for its functionality, but also for the atmosphere it can create in the home, the wood-burning stove conveys warmth and makes the room cosy and familiar. The smell and sight of burning wood stimulates the senses and a nostalgic heritage of the traditional hearth.
But now let us turn to the more practical aspects and analyse together the main advantages of wood-burning stoves.
Environmental sustainability: wood is a natural and renewable fuel. The use of wood for energy production contributes to reducing the C0₂ impact on the environment by feeding a natural circular flow with zero impact
Incentives: If you decide to buy a wood stove, you can take advantage of the government incentives available to you depending on your situation and the characteristics of the product. For example, if you are buying a new wood-burning product that is eligible for Conto Termico incentives to replace another appliance for heating your home, you can save up to 65% on the purchase price. In other cases you can take advantage of tax deductions or financing at participating retailers.
Fuel cost: the cost of wood is relatively low compared to other types of fuel and less prone to price fluctuations. For the same weight, wood also costs about half as much as pellets and is readily available (where it is also free of charge).
Autonomy: a wood-burning stove is not connected to electricity, it can be lit autonomously without having to be placed near a socket.
Durability: on average, a wood-burning stove guarantees a long service life thanks to the solid construction materials and the absence of electronic components required for its operation.
Cooking food: in addition to heating the room, some wood-burning stoves, such as the Fedora (photo above), are equipped with a cast-iron plate at the top for cooking and heating food and drinks. Others are even equipped with an oven for even better cooking of your favourite dishes.
Rossella Plus Forno Evo
Pellet stoves have spread rapidly in recent years because they represent an excellent alternative heating system to fossil fuels such as methane gas or LPG. In fact, pellets, a compound of sawdust and waste compressed into a cylindrical shape, is a natural and ecological material with a very high thermal efficiency, a higher heating power and an innovative and modern design. Below are the main advantages of a pellet stove.
Convenient operation: pellet stoves are equipped with technology that allows the ignition, shutdown, temperature level and many other functions of the appliance to be programmed, in some cases even via an App by connecting to the Wi Fi at home.
In addition, the auger takes the granules from the tank and drops them into the brazier, so the addition of fuel also takes place automatically. The operation is therefore also much safer.
Minimal cleaning: almost all pellet stoves are equipped with convenient pull-out ash trays to facilitate cleaning of the appliance, or with self-cleaning braziers that use specific motors to manage the cleaning of combustion residues. Manual cleaning operations are thus reduced to a minimum.
High energy efficiency: pellets have a higher level of energy efficiency than wood. In fact, it contains a lower percentage of moisture and this allows the flame to ignite more quickly and give off more heat.
Practicality of transport, storage and preservation: pellets are bought in convenient sacks, which are easy to move, space-saving and do not get dirty.
Purchase incentives: it is also possible to take advantage of the incentives for wood-burning stoves mentioned above when purchasing pellet stoves.
Environmental sustainability: in the same way as wood, pellets are a natural and renewable fuel. Choosing to heat your home with a pellet stove is in fact an ecological and sustainable choice that has no impact on the environment.
If you have come this far, you will have understood the main differences and advantages of wood-burning and pellet-burning stoves, and you may have an idea of which one is best for you.
Our advice, however, is to rely on the experience of our authorised dealers who are able to carry out a proper assessment of your needs and the configuration of the space you want to heat in order to recommend the product that is best for you.
Margaret, combined pellet/wood stove: the freedom to choose, without compromise.
Design, technology and performance: the pellet products of the Evolution Line are this and much more.
The wood-burning products of the Prestige Line are the result of more than 50 years' experience in this sector and are characterised by great attention and care for detail, a skilful choice of construction materials and a desire to offer increasingly high-performance and environmentally friendly appliances for heating your home.