Bobs Musings

Heating up your home costs money. Energy is becoming a costly commodity as the years go on, which leaves us to investigate alternative means of heat. One such method is through using pellet stoves- which can heat your home and be cost effective to the middle class family lifestyle.

Just looking at a pellet stove, you might wonder what the differences between it and a wood burning stove really are. The main difference is that a pellet stove will burn pellets- often made up of recycled material. The flame produced is very warm, although it tends to be rather small. The cost per heat ratio is still much more preferred when compared to a firewood stove.

Maintenance for a pellet stove can be complex if you have no experience with stoves. A pellet stove has more parts than your average wood stove, since it has a feeder, often a motor of some sort, and other parts that require attention once in a blue moon. The owner’s manual should keep you up to speed, but you may also consider finding a model that is simple if you don’t think you can handle the heat.

A pellet stove will need another source of energy to work the motors of the stove. This can be done through electricity, and often is, but a blackout in energy or having the stove in a remote location would require that you have the option to use gas. Verify that the model you have is able to use gas as a secondary energy source.

Pellet stoves are going to be large in size. They also have requirements for where they are installed. You wouldn’t want to install it in an area near burnable items, for instance. The best location is usually in a garage if applicable- but do be sure that the specifications are followed before buying the stove. That way you know your purchase won’t be in vain.

After getting through the technical details, if you haven’t already you should look at prices. Pricing varies depending on what you need. You could be fine with spending a few hundred dollars, although for a more industrial heating environment, spending a few thousand may be necessary. Determining what you need can be done with the specifications on the box or with the retailer selling the product.

Final Thoughts

When the Winter cold hits, it’s nice to have a cheap source of heat. The pellet stove is a tool that can make the idea a reality. Retailers online can ship a pellet stove to you within days if you know which model you want, and what type of budget you have to work with.

Learn more about fireplaces and pellet stoves.