If you’re tired of seeing your bill rise each year the weather gets colder and oil and gas prices jump, you may want to consider revamping the way you heat your home, with the installation of a pellet or wood stove.

While there is the initial cost of having a pellet or wood stove installed, over time this investment will pay for itself. Both pellet and wood stoves keep your home toasty warm through the winter while using affordable fuel sources. If you plan to make the switch, there are some differences to consider between the two.

Wood stoves operate much like a fireplace, burning logs that can be bought by the cord or harvested from your own property for free, should you have the resources available. While the initial installation of a wood stove can cost significantly more than that of a pellet stove (particularly if your home is not already equipped with a chimney and fireplace), a wood stove operates under its own power, completely free of electricity, and may offer the best eventual pay back if your supply of wood is inexpensive and plentiful.
As the name suggests, pellet stoves are fueled by pellets made from sawdust or small wood chips. Pellets may be harder to come by, and unlike wood, cannot be acquired for free. Pellet stoves are also reliant on electricity, meaning their ability to heat is dependent on outside power, unless hooked up to a generator or other source of backup power. This being said, pellet stoves have their benefits. In general, a pellet stove will burn cleaner and safer than a wood stove, eliminating risk and increasing efficiency. The initial installation cost of a pellet stove will be cheaper than that of a wood stove, and because a pellet stove can be ventilated through a small hole in the wall, it can be installed in a variety of locations.

While the initial cost and time spent setting up the installation of a pellet or wood stove may seem like a headache now, heating your home in a more efficient and economical way will be the reward over time. Freeing your family from the unpredictable increases in heating bills while keeping your home warm and comfortable throughout the winter is worth the investment!