Wednesday, August 17, 2011

How to Choose a Wood Pellet Stove


Pellet stoves can provide supplemental or even primary heat in your home, helping to cut your heating bills. There are a couple models to choose from: a freestanding model that will take up living space, or a fireplace insert if you have a traditional fireplace already.


Wood pellet stoves are becoming very popular as a way to supplement or heat a home entirelyThe popularity of pellet stoves is increasing, especially now that heating costs are going up so much more. With some foreknowledge, some good questions, and a reputable dealer, you will be able to make a purchase that will serve � and heat � your family comfortably for years to come.Not all fireplaces have mantels, of course. Most do however have either, a single shelf, a marble or tile surround, or a traditional wood carving. Accessories such as mantels, iron tools, guards and screens are an important decorative feature of fireplaces and can often set the tone of a room. And indeed the mantel itself has become a real focal point of rooms as they allow photos, antiques and family heirlooms to take pride of place within the room. Between the style of fireplace mantels, gas grills and wood burning stoves and their surrounds, you either define a room from the start or give it an entirely new look you'll enjoy for years.Using pellets of compressed sawdust, that provide obvious benefits for the home and environment, woodburning pellet stoves come in a wide variety of styles,both traditional and modern, as well as size, finish and heating output. More clean burning than traditional stoves, some wood pellet stoves are equipped with fans and thermostats for distributing the heat output more evenly within the room. As a rule of thumb most wood pellet stoves store about three days fuel, and require on average cleaning once a month; a simple job of just emptying an ashtray. Whilst freestanding wood pellet stoves offer greater design positioning flexibility, fireplace insert models are available as well as wood pellet furnaces that can be installed in basements or outhouses to heat the whole house. Depending on the manufacturer such as St.Croix stoves or Lancaster pellet stoves, these appliances can provide a heat output of anywhere between 10000 and 50000 BTU per hour.One, if you like to watch the fire flames flicker, be sure to get a stove with a good flame pattern and a good sized viewing glass.Fireplaces, which can increase the value of your home, are more than ever the focal point of a room. The style of fireplace mantels and its d�cor, whether stone, marble or finely carved classic moulds sets the tone and character of your home. To enhance your fireplace you may opt to include classical or oriental rugs, antique furniture, and traditional elements. Then again, you might favours abstract paintings, art deco, or even a glass-screen.The choice is really up to you and is about personal choice. It ultimatly depends on how you want to use your fireplace within the room � as a feature or a backdrop.The bottom-feed models aren't as likely to get stuck with ash particles, but the fire can burn back into the pellet hopper. You still need to clean the ash out of these regularly. So another consideration is how large the ash pan is and how easy it is to remove and clean.If you really come to love the efficiency of your pellet stove, keep in mind that you can even get a larger unit to replace your entire furnace!There are other considerations when considering the purchase of a pellet stoveThere are other considerations when looking at BTUs, such as the quality pellet you burn, the temperature where you are, the insulation factor of your walls and roof, and more. Make note of these things and ask lots of questions of some reputable dealers.A fireplace insert is probably the best option if you have a fireplace. Wood burning fires in the fireplace are 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 stove.You will also have to choose between a top-feed system and a bottom-feed system. And of course, there are pros and cons to having either one.One of the big benefits to a pellet stove is that you don't need to keep the fire stoked � the pellet hopper delivery system automatically feeds the pellets as necessary. You only need to be sure the hopper stays full, but you won't need to keep stoking the fire as with a wood burning stove.Fireplaces only became common in 1367, when a gentleman while visiting in Rome, was dismayed at the fire pit in his room so he ordered his servants to build a chimney. They did so, adding his coat of arms above the two fireplace mantels. That fireplace is now part of history as ever since it has been the model of almost any room with a fireplace.

Wood pellet stoves are becoming very popular as a way to supplement or heat a home entirelyThe popularity of pellet stoves is increasing, especially now that heating costs are going up so much more. With some foreknowledge, some good questions, and a reputable dealer, you will be able to make a purchase that will serve � and heat � your family comfortably for years to come.




Author: Dave Roth


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