When winter arrives, one of the main concerns for many of us is how to keep the house warm, hopefully without having to spend too much to achieve this. Two of the most popular options for heating are gas boilers And wood or pellet stoves. Both have their pros and cons, and the choice depends on various factors, including the type of home, environmental sensitivity and simple personal preferences.
Gas boiler: what it is, how it works and consumption
The gas boilers they are now a very widespread choice, especially in city areas. The most modern boilers have aenergy efficiency greater than 90%reachable from the models “condensing” which also allow you to recover part of the heat that in older models was lost within the fumes. This means that a large part of the energy produced by the burning gas is converted into heat for use within the heating system.
Gas boilers are very popular also because, once installed, they require little maintenance to be carried out annually before their use and can be easily controlled through thermostats which allow you to regulate the temperature in one or more areas of the home.
The main disadvantages of these systems are due to cost of gaswhich as we have seen in recent times can vary greatly and affect the cost of heating. Furthermore, although gas boilers allow for the reduction of polluting emissions compared to other fossil fuels, they still emit carbon dioxide.
How wood or pellet stoves work: pros and cons
The wood or pellet stoves they offer an interesting alternative, especially for those who live in rural areas or where it is not possible to connect to the natural gas distribution network. Wood and pellets are generally cheaper than gasand pellets, in particular, are made from waste wood materials, making them a more sustainable choice. Furthermore, for these systems aesthetic choices and personal tastes also come into play, because for some the stoves help to create a more welcoming and rustic atmosphere thanks to the beauty of the live fire.
However, wood or pellet stoves require a regular maintenance: it is necessary clean them regularly to remove ash and keep the fume hood clean. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider that sufficient space must be reserved inside or outside the home keep a reserve of wood or pellets to risk not being left without heating. Stoves also tend to be less efficient than gas boilersespecially if they are not regularly maintained, and can emit particulates and other pollutants that are not released by combustion of the gas.
