Monday, March 1, 2010

How to Choose a Wood Pellet Stove

Pellet stoves can provide additional or even primary heat in your home, helping to cut your heating bill. There are a few models to choose from: a free-standing model that will take up living space, or a fireplace insert, if you have a traditional fireplace already.

A fireplace insert is probably the best option if you have a fireplace. Wood burning fires in the fireplace is only about 25% efficient, and a pellet stove beats that hands down. This option also saves you from having to give up living space for the oven.

Pellet stoves and wood stoves are similar on the outside, but within they are nothing alike.Pellet stoves have few moving parts, some of which need occasional maintenance. And, as the name suggests, they burn wood pellets instead of wood logs. These pills are made of recycled wood shavings, sawdust or corn and wheat bits.

One of the great advantages of a pellet stove is that you do not need to keep the fire stoked - the pill Hopper delivery system automatically feeds the pellets, which are necessary. You only need to be sure, Hopper is full, but you do not need to keep fired up by the fire with a stove.

There are other considerations when considering buying a pellet stove

One, if you want to see fire flames flicker, make sure to get a stove with a good flame pattern and a good size viewing glass.

It helps to have a model with easy access to the parts will eventually need service. If you do not want to serve them, consider a service contract and extended warranty.

You will also have to choose between a top-feed system and a bottom-feed system. And of course there are pros and cons of having either one.

Top-fed stoves can be sure that the fire is out of the container. On the other hand, is a top-feed model more likely to be filled with ash and cinders.

Bottom-feed models are not as likely to get stuck with the ash particles, but the fire may burn back into the pellet hopper. You still need to clean the ashes out of them regularly. So another consideration is how much ash tray is, and how easy it is to remove and clean.

Unlike wood stoves, need a pill furnace electricity to supply the engines, so keep that in mind when deciding where to put your stove.

And of course you must be sure that you buy the right size stove. Stoves use British Thermal Units (BTUs) to measure heat. You need 25 to 30 kilojoules per square foot of space you're heating. So if you heat a 300 square foot area, you'll need at least 7500 BTU / h on your stove.

There are other considerations when looking at the BTUs, such as quality pellets you burn, the temperature where you are, the insulation factor of your walls and roof, and much more.Familiarize themselves with these things and ask lots of questions about some good dealers.

If you really come to love the performance of your pellet stove, remember that you can get a larger unit to replace your whole oven!

Wood pellet stoves have become very popular as a way to supplement or heat a home entirelyThe popularity pellet stoves is increasing, especially now, heating costs go up so much more. With some prior knowledge, some good questions, and a reputable dealer, you will be able to make a purchase that will serve - and heat - your family comfortably in the coming years.

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