Pellet Burning Stoves – A Home Heating Alternative
Pellet burning stoves are rising in popularity due to their eco-friendly appeal and convenience in contrast to wood stoves. This type of stove can serve as a primary or secondary heat source and provides a dramatic focal point to any room. A pellet stove tends to be smaller and burns wood more cleanly and about 15% more efficiently than a wood stove and helps reduce your heating bills.
The core components of pellet burning stoves include a burner, automated feed system and a built-in hopper. The feed system moves the pellets from the hopper to the burner. The movement of combustion air through the fire creates a furnace-like effect. Top feeders are more likely to be blocked with ash and reheated ash deposits; low-ash high-grade pellets are recommended. Bottom feeders do not require using high-grade pellets, but ash needs to be removed on a regular basis. Hoppers can hold up to 240 lbs of wood pellets.
Wood Pellets
Wood pellets are dense, tightly compacted pieces of wood that resemble rabbit food. They produce a lot of heat but just a small amount of ash, creosote and soot and contain approximately 15 to 50% less moisture than wood. They are sold by the ton or in bags in pellet sizes that range from three- eighths of an inch up to one inch. Wood pellets originate from nuts, scrap wood or the by-products of paper packaging plants, furniture manufacturers or sawdust logging. They may be produced and sold locally. There is no danger of environmental spills or explosions, as there is for natural gas and heating oil, and pose no contamination threat to soil or water.
Fireplace Insert vs. Freestanding
Pellet burning stoves come as fireplace inserts or as freestanding units. Freestanding stoves do not require a conventional chimney and flue like wood stoves. As long as there is an available electrical outlet, a freestanding stove can be placed almost anywhere. If you have an existing masonry or pre-fab fireplace, you can install a fireplace insert.
Quadra-Fire has several pellet burning insert products. The Castile and Santa Fe Inserts have a 45-lb hopper capacity, easy-clean firepot and jam-free feed system and can heat up to 1,800 sq. ft. The MT Vernon AE Insert can heat up to 2,900 sq. ft. and has a 56-lb hopper capacity and programmable thermostat. These models also come in freestanding counterparts. This video by Designing Spaces features Quadra-Fire products:
The Winslow Insert by Lennox Hearth Products features Smart Heat temperature control with a self-ignition system, a self-cleaning cast-iron burn pot and an air wash system and has a 55-lb hoppercapacity. Customizable style options include gold, nickel, black and black or brushed nickel door trim.
Lopi sells both freestanding pellet stoves and inserts which feature wall thermostats and remote control options. Their freestanding models include the Leyden, Pioneer and Yankee. Insert products include the low heating capacity Pioneer Bay and the high heating capacity Yankee Bay. These products also feature an outside air kit that pulls in fresh air from the outside of the home for combustion, improving efficiency.
