When you live in a cold area, a gas or pellet stove can be a great investment. Both types of stoves can provide economical heat that will reduce the cost of keeping your home warm, and they can also act as an alternative source of heat if the power goes out.
If you are looking to install a pellet stove or a gas stove, it is a big decision. Both options have their own advantages, but they also have distinct disadvantages when compared to each other. In this post, we are going to look at some of the factors that can help you to decide between a gas or pellet stove.
Cost
When you consider just the purchase cost of the unit, pellet stoves tend to be a little cheaper. However, once you account for installation, the two options tend to be about even. Of course, there is some variation depending on the specific model you buy, but the difference in upfront cost should not make a major difference either way.
Running Cost
The running cost of a gas stove can vary significantly depending on the price of gas. If you are looking for the more economical type of stove to run, a pellet stove is going to easily win. The pellets are relatively cheap and even with the electrical cost of running the blowers, a pellet stove is going to provide heat at a much lower cost than you could expect from a gas stove.
Upkeep
If you are looking for convenience, a gas stove is the way to go. All you need to do is turn them on for them to run, and there is not much to do in regard to regular maintenance. With a pellet stove, you have to buy the pellets and refuel the stove. Along with that, there is a significant amount of cleaning and maintenance that needs to be performed regularly. You’ll need to clean the ash out at least once a week. Beyond that, you will need to clean the burn chamber and the heat exchanger regularly.
Alternative Heat
Both gas and pellet stoves can work as an alternative heat source, but gas has a bit of an edge in this area. For a pellet stove to heat your home, the blowers need to work and that requires electricity. With some pellet stoves, you can buy an emergency power supply for the blowers, but this is an additional cost and the emergency power supply will only work for a limited amount of time. Most gas stoves are designed to provide heat without electricity. You might lose some of the efficiency and any features that depend on electricity, but you can still rely on the heat without having to buy any extras.
Finding the right stove often comes down to personal preference. In some cases, gas might be better, and for some homes, pellets might offer the better option. If you are trying to find the right stove for your home, you could talk to a manufacturer or an installer that works with both gas and pellet stoves. An experienced professional should be able to assess your situation and make a good recommendation.