Wood, pellet stoves popular
When it comes to heating a home, most people worry about how it can be done in the most efficient and cost effective manner.
Wood pellet stoves and wood stoves are two of the most common types of alterative energy sources people use in their homes, according to Gary Ferguson, owner of Ferguson's Free Energy on Route 228 in Mars.
Wood pellets are manufactured from wood waste products such as sawdust, then compressed into pellets.
Which type of stove is more cost effective depends on the situation.
Buying a ton of quick pellets cost $200, and people need to spend about $400 to $600 for pellets to run the stove for a season.
Ron Hegner, assistant manager of The Davey Tree Expert Co., said pellets are popular.
"There's been a lot of demand for wood pellets," Hegner said. "And a lot of stores have problems because the supply can't meet the demand."
Regular wood can't be burned in pellet stoves.
A cord and a half of wood for a wood stove will cost $200 to $250 and is roughly equivalent to one ton of wood pellets.
But Ferguson said a wood stove could be cheaper depending on a person's situation.
"It depends on how you acquire your wood," Ferguson said. "It's the only type of energy source you can get for free."
Hardwoods are the best kind of woods to burn in a wood stove. Hardwoods include maple, ash, oak and cherry.
"The more dense the wood is, the higher the British Thermal Unit value is," Ferguson said.
Hegner said that people should not burn evergreens, including pine trees.
"People need to steer clearfor Tuesday's election of evergreens because they cause creosote buildup in chimneys," Hegner said. "Once creosote builds up, it could lead to a chimney fire."
Ferguson said that wood pellet stoves aren't as aesthetically pleasing as wood stoves, but he said both are good ways to heat.
"Wood pellets give you a consistent heat outburst and burn for a long time without a need for refueling," Ferguson said. "Wood stoves have an advantage over pellets because pellet stoves require electricity."
