10 Things to Know About Pellet Stoves & Inserts
The majority of homeowners in the U.S. are looking for new, energy efficient technology for heating their homes, according to an extensive survey. Because the cost of electricity is expected to continue rising, finding an efficient heat source is an excellent way to cut expenses. Wood pellet stoves and wood pellet fireplace inserts are arguably the most energy efficient and eco-friendly heating appliances available today. The following are ten things you should know about pellet stoves:
1 – U.S. federal tax credits can help you with your purchase of a pellet stove or insert. There may also be local and state incentives that can help you afford one of these remarkably energy efficient appliances.
2 – Manufacturers have responded to the burgeoning demand for pellet-fueled appliances by offering competitive options. For instance, control panels or wall-mounted thermostats which make adjusting heat output simple are available in some models.
3 – Using wood pellets for your fireplace or stove is a good way to support recycling. Wood pellets are made with wood byproducts, such as: wood chips, bark, sawdust, waste paper, agricultural crop waste, and other eco-friendly materials. When you burn wood pellets, you are using materials that would have contributed to landfills.
4 – Burning wood pellets is far more convenient than dealing with firewood. The pellets are stored in neat stacks in a dry location. Pour pellets into a hopper and enjoy heat with no further actions required until many, many hours later, when the pellet supply needs to be replenished. Very little ash is produced; and because far less creosote is deposited in the chimney, maintenance costs are lower.
5 – Many homeowners are most excited about the environmentally friendly aspect of using pellet stoves. The pellets burned in these innovative appliances are made with renewable resources. Wood pellets are carbon-neutral. Experts have estimated that using wood pellet fireplaces could result in a 75% reduction in carbon emissions that would otherwise be caused by using electricity, which is typically powered by fossil fuels.
6 – There are options for fuel used for pellet stoves. In addition to the most common type of pellet, which is made with wood by-products, you can burn the following in pellet stoves: soybeans, nutshells, dried cherry pits, corn kernels, sunflowers, wheat, and beet pulp. The diverse options in fuel make it possible to find the most affordable fuel of the highest quality in your area.
7 – In addition to selecting the type of pellet fuel you will use for your pellet stove or insert, be aware that there are various grades of fuel. Less expensive wood pellets, for instance, create more ash and provide a bit less heat than top-quality pellets.
8 – In the past 10 years, the cost of wood pellets has been fairly stable, unlike gas, propane, and oil, which have skyrocketed unpredictably and will likely do so again.
9 – A small amount of electricity is required to run wood pellet stoves and fireplace inserts. Electricity is used to run fan motors, an auger motor for moving pellets into the burn pot, and a stirrer motor, a feature which may not be included in all models.
10 – There are a few potential downsides to wood pellet fireplaces and stoves, including:
- Wood pellets may not be available to you locally. Having the pellets shipped contributes to more fossil fuels being used, which detracts from the environmental friendliness of using pellet stoves.
- The cost of pellet stoves and inserts is not cheap. Prices fluctuate but are typically between $1,500 and $3,000 before the cost of professional installation.
- Pellet stoves don’t create the usual crackling fire enjoyed in traditional fireplaces. There is a noise because of the fans, and the flames are very intense.
- You will need a back-up generator to operate your pellet stove or insert, if there is a blackout.
Contact us today to learn more about pellet stoves and inserts or for installation of your beautiful new appliance.
Northeastern Chimney, Inc.
37 Cody Street, West Hartford, CT 06110