Are briquettes a suitable alternative for wood and coal heating? Is the cost of heating with briquettes lower compared to wood and coal? What are the advantages of briquettes, and how do they compare to the benefits of pellet heating?
Regardless of the season, heating is always a relevant topic. Whether you are considering purchasing fuel for the next season or planning to switch energy sources, this subject remains pertinent. Alongside the increasingly popular pellets, briquettes are also gaining attention. In the following sections, we will clarify what briquettes are and help you decide whether they are a good choice for your home.
Understanding the Difference Between Pellets and Briquettes
First, let’s clarify the difference between pellets and briquettes. While many people are familiar with this distinction, some may still need this information. In short, briquettes are a substitute for wood or coal. Briquettes burn in stoves and boilers designed for wood or coal, whereas pellets require specialized stoves or boilers designed for pellet combustion. This is the main advantage briquettes have over pellets – no investment is needed to switch from wood or coal to briquettes.
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There’s a common misconception online that briquettes are better than pellets for heating because they come in larger pieces and burn slower. This is a clever marketing tactic by briquette sellers and is entirely false. Briquettes burn in traditional wood stoves and boilers, while pellets burn in specially designed pellet stoves and boilers. These appliances feature special burners and feeders, providing greater control over combustion and airflow, leading to a much higher efficiency rate.
Pellet boilers boast efficiency rates over 90%, which is unattainable for traditional wood boilers. If you have the budget for a new pellet boiler, we highly recommend this heating method due to its unparalleled convenience compared to wood or briquettes.
The Manufacturing and Benefits of Briquettes
Briquettes are made from plant residues such as straw, hay, reeds, corn stalks, wood waste, and sawdust. However, most briquettes are wood-based. Briquettes are produced by shredding wood material and forming it into convenient shapes for stoves and boilers through high-pressure mechanical processes.
This compression under high pressure gives briquettes a higher density than wood, resulting in greater calorific value. Additionally, their low moisture content contributes to higher thermal efficiency. Briquettes are industrial products with clearly defined specifications, typically containing around 10% moisture. In contrast, wood is a natural material with moisture content varying significantly based on when it was cut, storage conditions, and weather.
Cost Comparison and Practical Considerations
Briquettes have nearly three times the energy value of wood.. Furthermore, briquettes have about 10% higher thermal power than high-quality coal, and handling briquettes is much cleaner and more convenient.
The benefits of briquettes over wood don’t end there. When buying wood, you need significant expertise or trust in the seller, as quantity manipulations are common. The amount of wood can vary based on how it’s stacked and measured. With briquettes, the situation is clear – the packaging is precisely labeled. Transporting and storing briquettes is also significantly easier.
Practical Testing and Final Thoughts
Of course, theory can differ from practice, which depends on various factors such as stove type, home size, and personal habits and needs. To determine if briquettes are a good choice, you can easily test them. If you are hesitant, purchase your usual fuel – coal or wood – and buy smaller amount of briquettes for a trial during the heating season.
You will soon be able to make an informed decision. You can even experiment with different types of briquettes, from the highest quality made of pure beech wood to more affordable options, to find the best fuel for your needs.
By understanding the benefits and costs associated with briquettes, you can make an informed decision that could save you money and improve your heating efficiency.