Is It Cheaper to Burn Wood or Wood Pellets?

 

Is It Cheaper to Burn Wood or Wood Pellets?

Many households ask the same question every winter: is it cheaper to burn wood or wood pellets? The answer depends on fuel quality, appliance efficiency, and overall convenience. While both options are renewable, wood pellets often deliver better value over time.

Comparing the Price of Logs and Wood Pellets

At first glance, firewood logs appear cheaper than wood pellets. However, logs often contain higher moisture levels, meaning less usable energy per unit. Pellets are manufactured with consistent density and low moisture, so nearly all their energy is converted into heat. This efficiency helps offset any higher upfront cost.

Appliance Efficiency Makes a Difference

Modern pellet boilers and stoves achieve efficiency rates above 90%. Open fires or traditional wood burners rarely exceed 50–60%. This means more fuel is wasted when burning logs. With pellets, less fuel is needed to achieve the same warmth, lowering costs across the heating season.

Convenience and Storage Costs

Pellets are easy to store, transport, and handle. They come in bags or bulk deliveries, requiring less space than stacked logs. Logs demand more storage area, must be kept dry, and often need splitting or seasoning. For many homeowners, this extra time and effort adds hidden costs.

Environmental Considerations

Both fuels are renewable, but pellets are carbon-neutral and produced using by-products of the timber industry. Consistent quality ensures cleaner combustion and fewer emissions. This not only benefits the environment but also reduces maintenance costs by keeping appliances cleaner for longer.

The Bottom Line

So, is it cheaper to burn wood or wood pellets? When efficiency, storage, and long-term savings are considered, pellets usually win. While logs may seem cheaper initially, wood pellets deliver more heat, greater convenience, and better value overall.

For more information or to purchase, contact Balcas Energy today.

FAQs About Burning Wood vs Wood Pellets

1. Are wood pellets cheaper than logs for heating?

Yes. Although logs may seem cheaper initially, pellets provide more heat per kilogram due to their low moisture and higher efficiency.

2. Which is more efficient: wood pellets or logs?

Wood pellets are far more efficient. Modern pellet boilers achieve over 90% efficiency, while log burners often reach only 50–60%.

3. Do wood pellets produce less ash than logs?

Yes. High-quality ENplus® A1 wood pellets create very little ash compared to logs, reducing cleaning and improving heating performance.

4. Are wood pellets better for the environment than burning logs?

Yes. Pellets are carbon neutral, sustainably produced, and burn cleaner than logs, which can release more particulates and smoke.

About Balcas Energy

Balcas Energy is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of ENplus® A1 wood pellets, providing sustainable heating solutions across the UK and Ireland.

📍 Enniskillen, Northern Ireland

☎ 028 6632 3003