Even if you know about wood stoves, you may wonder what a pellet stove is. Like wood stoves, pellet stoves allow you to watch the fire, but what makes them different from wood stoves? Here we will explain in detail, including examples. If you are considering a heating appliance, please refer to this article.
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What is a pellet stove?
A pellet stove is a stove that uses heat from burning wood pellets.
The wood pellets used as fuel are solid fuel made by drying sawdust and scraps generated during lumber milling, grinding them into powder, and compressing them into granules. They are small and light, making them easy to handle, and unlike fossil fuels, they do not increase CO2 emissions, so they are also said to be a renewable energy source.
Pellet stoves are very easy to operate, and you can use buttons and a control panel to ignite, adjust the heat, and even extinguish the fire. In addition, pellet stoves have a built-in fuel tank, so replenished pellets are automatically supplied, eliminating the need to add firewood like with fireplaces and wood stoves.
No chimney is required, and installation requires only the installation of air intake and exhaust piping. You can still enjoy the flickering flames and the flying sparks just like in a fireplace or wood stove.
In addition, the radiant heat emitted by real fire warms the body and the air in the room comfortably. Pellet stoves are heating appliances that are attracting attention as being environmentally friendly and easy to use.
The difference between a pellet stove and a wood stove
The main difference between pellet stoves and wood stoves is the fuel.
As mentioned above, pellet stoves use wood pellets, whereas wood stoves use firewood.
A wood stove produces more heat and is therefore more suitable for heating larger spaces.
Generally, a chimney of at least 4.5m is required to install a wood stove, but a pellet stove does not require as much length, so installation costs are lower.
Another major difference is whether or not they use a power source. Wood stoves do not require a power source and all operations such as lighting and adjusting the heat are done manually, whereas pellet stoves use a power source to light the fire, adjust the heat, set the timer, etc. They can be operated with the push of a button, making them a more convenient heating appliance than wood stoves.
Main features of pellet stoves
The main feature of a pellet stove is that it uses wood pellets as fuel. Let's take a closer look at this.
Helps protect the environment
Using wood pellets as fuel helps protect the environment.
The reason for this is that wood is utilized without being wasted. Thinning wood is mainly used as the material for wood pellets. Thinning wood is wood that is produced when some of the trees in a dense forest are cut down in order to adjust the density of the forest. Thinning allows the remaining trees to grow healthily and increases the value of the wood. Using thinning wood as wood pellets helps trees grow and can be said to contribute to protecting the environment by recycling something that would otherwise be discarded.
In addition, the CO2 generated when burning wood pellets is the CO2 absorbed by trees as they grow, so the total amount of waiting CO2 is zero. This type of system that does not increase excess CO2 is called carbon neutral and is attracting attention.
For these reasons, wood-fired pellet stoves are more environmentally friendly than other heating systems.
Cost-effective and easy to use
Pellet stoves have lower initial and running costs than wood stoves. They also require less maintenance, so if you're looking for a life with fire but are hesitant to install a wood stove, why not consider a pellet stove?
① Reduction of initial costs
The price of a pellet stove itself ranges widely from inexpensive to expensive, generally between 300,000 and 1,000,000 yen, which is not much different from the price of a wood stove.
However, the cost of the chimney is different. Pellet stoves do not require a chimney that extends to the roof like wood stoves, and only require the installation of an exhaust fan and exhaust pipe.
Furthermore, wood stoves require non-combustible material interior finishing, and the construction of a hearth and furnace walls to prevent low-temperature carbonization of the walls. On the other hand, pellet stoves do not require these constructions because the area over which heat is transmitted is not as wide as that of wood stoves. For these reasons, the initial cost of a pellet stove is lower than that of a wood stove.
The cost of installing a pellet stove is usually around 400,000 to 1,000,000 yen, including the unit itself plus 100,000 to 150,000 yen for installation. For wood stoves, the chimney, hearth, and furnace wall installation costs around 500,000 to 800,000 yen, so in most cases the total will be around 800,000 to 2,000,000 yen.
②Reduction of running costs
In terms of running costs, pellet stoves tend to be less expensive than wood stoves.
When purchasing firewood for a wood stove, the average price is around 300 to 500 yen per bundle, depending on where you buy it. Depending on the size of the room you want to heat and the insulation of your home, if you burn two to three bundles a day, the cost will be 1,000 to 1,500 yen, and the fuel cost required per month will be about 30,000 to 45,000 yen.
On the other hand, wood pellets, the fuel for pellet stoves, cost about 50 yen per kilogram, and consume roughly 1 kilogram per hour. If you use it for about 10 hours every day, the fuel cost for one month will be 15,000 yen, which means that the running costs are lower than for a wood stove. Also, people who live in urban areas may order fuel from the producers. In that case, it is important to remember that shipping costs apply for both.
3) Low maintenance
The maintenance required for a pellet stove can be broadly divided into three areas: cleaning the inside of the stove, cleaning the exhaust pipe once a year, and replacing worn parts. Cleaning the inside of the stove mainly involves disposing of ash and wiping off the heat-resistant glass. Cleaning the exhaust pipe once a year is easier to reach than with a wood stove, which requires a tall chimney, so you can clean it yourself. Also, parts wear out more slowly than with a wood stove, so they need to be replaced less frequently.
Almost no smoke
Pellet stoves emit white smoke when first lit, but if they are operating normally there will be very little smoke after that.
However, if ash accumulates in the burner pot, it may take longer to ignite and produce a lot of smoke, so it is advisable to keep it clean at all times. Although it does not produce smoke, you may smell the smell of burning wood from the exhaust vent, so be careful about where you place the exhaust vent.
Benefits of installing a pellet stove in your home
Pellet stoves are environmentally friendly, less expensive than wood stoves, and easier to use. Here we will introduce the benefits of incorporating one into your home.
Warms you from the core
One of the benefits of installing a pellet stove in your home is that the radiant heat warms your body from the inside out. Have you ever used an air conditioner and felt your face get hot but your feet get cold? This is because the air warmed by the hot air heater rises, creating a large temperature difference with the floor area.
The characteristic of radiant heat generated by a pellet stove's flame is that it moves from high temperature areas to low temperature areas. This means that the entire room slowly heats up, and your body warms up from the inside out. A body that is slowly warmed from the inside out is less likely to get cold, and blood circulation improves, so you can expect positive effects on your health.
The whole room is heated
Pellet stoves are easier to heat up an entire room than air conditioners or heaters.
Radiant pellet stoves use far-infrared rays to transfer heat to parts of the room that tend to lose heat, such as floors, walls, and ceilings, thereby warming the entire room.
Another feature is that the heat lasts for a long time even after the flame is extinguished. The heat from the far-infrared rays is stored in the walls and floors of the house, and continues to warm the air inside.
Relax with the scent of wood and the flickering flames
You can expect a soothing effect from the flickering flames seen through the window of the pellet stove and the scent of wood that is released when the wood pellets burn. There is something mysteriously calming about watching a bonfire or candle flame. In recent years, videos that simply show a bonfire have been gaining attention.
This healing effect is due to the flickering of flames. The "1/f flickering" rhythm of flames is said to give people a sense of comfort. Pellet stoves, where you can enjoy the flames, naturally bring the family together, creating a relaxing atmosphere that also facilitates communication. They are ideal for those who want to create a home where they can relax both physically and mentally.
Excellent design and makes the room look stylish
Many pellet stoves have excellent design, and they can be enjoyed as interior décor. For example, pellet stoves with a classical impression like a wood stove have a strong presence and are a great accent for a space.
On the other hand, if you choose a compact and modern design, it will blend in naturally with your lifestyle. There is a wide variety of materials used, including solid cast iron, simple and beautiful ceramic exteriors, and atmospheric ceramics. You can choose one that matches the atmosphere of your home.
The sophisticated pellet stove will make a great addition to your home's stylish interior even during seasons when you aren't using heating appliances.
Some local governments offer subsidies
Installing a pellet stove may qualify you for subsidies from your local government.
The environmental benefits of pellet stoves have been recognized, and some local governments are running programs to provide subsidies to households that install pellet stoves through the national Regional Decarbonization Transition and Renewable Energy Promotion Grant.
For example, there are cases where subsidies of up to 150,000 yen are provided to purchasers of pellet stoves, and subsidies are provided for fuel for pellet stoves.
It's a good idea to receive any subsidies that you are eligible for in order to reduce initial and running costs. Since the requirements and subsidy content vary depending on the local government, be sure to check before implementing the system.
3 examples of homes that use pellet stoves
Concord May/Kiraku
The biggest feature of this pellet stove, which is based on the concept of "enjoying life with fire," is the built-in oven. You can cook pizza, bread, and other foods on the top shelf of the stove.
The large glass surface makes it easy to see the food and fire. Operation is intuitive, with the heat and wind power adjusted by turning the knobs.
The soft roundness of the body and the wooden legs give the stove a delicate and elegant impression. By installing it in the kitchen, the cooking function can be utilized on a daily basis. It kills two birds with one stone because it brings warmth to the family who cooks.
The walls are painted with plaster to blend in with the surroundings and not interfere with the interior design. The hearth is made of natural, warm Towada stone.
OU/Yamamoto Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
This is the OU pellet stove made by Yamamoto Seisakusho, a company that develops pellet stoves using technology it has cultivated in the production of agricultural machinery.
You can set the temperature and the heat is automatically adjusted, so there is no need for detailed manual operation. It can be used easily like a heater. When the heat is high, warm air comes out from the feet, quickly warming the room. The door of the main body is made of cast iron, so it stores heat and maintains a gentle warmth even after the fire goes out.
The design has a gentle rounded shape that blends in with any interior. It sits firmly and stably on the ground, and the texture of the material gives it a sense of solidity.
The hearth is made of Towada stone, which matches well with the tatami living room.
P-10/STUV
A Belgian pellet stove.
This stove is taller than the two stoves introduced above, and has stylish, sharp straight lines. One of the main features of this stove is its radiant combustion system.
Unlike the convection type that emits warm air, which is common in pellet stoves, this stove uses a method of transferring heat to the room by heating the main body. Since it does not emit air, it is less likely to dry out the air, and it provides a gentle warmth similar to that of a wood stove.
In addition, the combustion section at the top of the unit can be rotated 45 degrees left and right, allowing you to change the direction to suit the situation, such as facing the person you want to warm or looking at the fire from the front.
The hearth is covered with iron plates, giving the space a clean look.
Mimi [PE-6] / Toyotomi
This pellet stove is made by Toyotomi, a major Japanese manufacturer of heating appliances.
This pellet stove has a white body color, which is rare among pellet stoves. Its simple and modern design will blend in with any space.
The feature of this stove is that it can heat two ways: hot air and convection. Use the hot air method when you want to heat quickly. Use the convection method when you want to warm up slowly. You can choose the best of each method depending on the situation.
You can also remove the top plate to place a kettle or pot on it for cooking.
This house has a pellet stove installed in the dirt-floored salon, providing comfort and warmth even on chilly nights.
Things to be careful of when using a pellet stove to avoid failure and regret
Pellet stoves are attractive for their comfortable warmth and stylish appearance. However, once installed, they are not easy to move or remove, so you don't want to fail or regret it. From here on, we will explain the precautions to take to avoid failure and regret with pellet stoves, so please refer to it if you are considering it.
Safety measures are necessary for families with small children
When installing a pellet stove in a home with small children, safety precautions are necessary.
Depending on the model, the front and top of a pellet stove can reach over 100°C, and the exhaust port can also get hot, making it very dangerous to touch them. To prevent burns and accidents, if you are installing the stove in a place where children may touch it, install a stove guard to increase safety.
There are many types of stove guards, so it is recommended to choose one that is difficult to fall over and does not heat up. Also, since the stove guard is used by surrounding the pellet stove, you need to make sure that there is enough space for it so that the room does not feel cramped. Just because you have a stove guard installed does not mean that you are absolutely safe, so it is important to warn children not to touch the stove when it is running and to keep flammable materials away from it.
If the operating noise bothers you
Some people find that when they actually use a pellet stove, the noise it makes is bothersome.
Pellet stoves are said to be quieter than air conditioners, making them around 50 decibels. However, compared to the quiet crackling flames of a wood stove, pellet stoves that require electricity may be bothersome due to the mechanical noise of the hot air fan and exhaust fan. The more you turn up the hot air to get warmer, the louder the noise can get.
Also, models with an automatic wood pellet dispenser function will make a noise every time the pellets are dispensed. The operating noise varies depending on the model, so if you want a quiet environment, such as a quiet place to concentrate in, make sure to check how much noise the model makes before installing it.
Some models are quieter, such as those that do not have a warm air fan or use a quiet motor, so be sure to compare them.
Once installed, it cannot be easily moved
It is important to remember that once a pellet stove is installed, it cannot be easily moved. Pellet stoves are large and require a space of about half a tatami mat to install.
The lightest models weigh 70 kg, while the heaviest models weigh as much as 270 kg. Furthermore, since it is necessary to drill a hole in the wall to install the exhaust pipe, it is difficult to move it once it is installed.
Since the stove will be left out even during the seasons when it is not in use, you need to carefully consider where to install it. You don't want to end up regretting it later, such as wanting to put other furniture in the way after installing it, or installing it near a play area for children or pets.
When installing a pellet stove, consider not only its appearance and functionality, but also the size of the room and your family's lifestyle.
If you are interested in living with fire, please read this article.
[Related article] What is it like living in a house with a wood stove? Introducing the advantages and disadvantages and examples of construction
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summary
We hope you found this detailed explanation of pellet stoves useful. Pellet stoves can be lit with the push of a button, and fuel is easy to purchase, making them a convenient heating device with a lower barrier to entry than wood stoves. For those who want to try living with fire, but are brave enough to use a wood stove as their main heating device, which requires effort to obtain firewood and light it, this may be the perfect choice. Please give it a try.
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