| With the cost of home heating fuel increasing | | | | distribution systems also help by releasing the |
| rapidly, many homeowners have chosen to | | | | right amount of fuel from the hopper, so that |
| purchase small stove to heat small areas and | | | | pellets are not wasted and the level of heat is |
| decrease the demand on their heater. A pellet | | | | maintained. |
| stove is one of the most efficient and | | | | Since most stoves have thermostats and |
| environmentally friendly stoves for this purpose. | | | | automated hoppers, they are less work than their |
| They are self-refueling and come in a variety of | | | | wood-burning cousins. In fact, most owners can |
| sizes and attractive finishes. | | | | use a pellet stove all winter and only have to |
| Don’t be quick to compare a pellet stove to | | | | refuel and empty the ashbin. However, this is not |
| a fireplace or free-standing wood burning stove. | | | | the only advantage to a pellet stove. |
| Pellet stoves are sophisticated self-fueling | | | | Saving Money with Pellets |
| appliances that use fuel made from scrap wood. | | | | Last winter, many homeowners were outraged |
| Most models are completely self-regulating and | | | | by the cost of their heating bill. As the price of |
| require very little maintenance on the part of the | | | | fuel has steadily risen, many have turned to |
| owner. | | | | localized heat sources in order to avoid paying to |
| How Pellets Stoves Work | | | | heat their entire house. The addition of a stove is |
| Pellet stoves are not simply stoves that are | | | | perfect for this application because unlike other |
| retrofitted to burn pellets. They are designed | | | | systems, the heat can be localized to one area. |
| from the ground up to make the most of their | | | | Selectively heating an area of the house saves |
| fuel. On the outside, they usually resemble | | | | money for obvious reasons. The benefit of a |
| traditional stoves. Manufacturers offer many | | | | stove is that it can heat a small area more quickly |
| different styles so that homeowners can choose | | | | and for less money than a traditional system. |
| one to fit their décor. On the inside, there is a | | | | Many people use heating oil in their furnace in |
| firebox, a hopper, a pilot light, and a fan system. | | | | order to heat their home during the winter. There |
| Most models are completely electric and can be | | | | are many other options, such as electric systems |
| plugged into an outlet. Some even use auxiliary | | | | and natural gas, but heating fuel is one of the |
| solar panels. The electricity is used to run the | | | | most popular choices in areas with severe |
| control panel, ventilation system, and pilot light. | | | | winters. Heating fuel is in high demand during the |
| Self-igniting stoves allow the user to start the fire | | | | winter months and its price during that time |
| via the control panel and switch the pilot light on | | | | reflects this. However, in the past the cost of |
| and off in order to regulate temperature. The | | | | heating fuel was proportional to other options. |
| fans circulate air around the fuel in order to | | | | Other price changes are due to fluctuations in the |
| ensure even burning. | | | | price of crude oil from which it is derived. |
| These stoves are designed to make the most | | | | Recently, crude oil speculation and increased |
| out of wood pellet fuel. The pellets are actually | | | | demand has sent heating fuel prices climbing to |
| compressed sawdust and other organic waste | | | | record highs. |
| collected from manufacturers of wood products. | | | | Wood pellets, in the other hand, are made from |
| Its reclaimed, renewable fuel is one of the | | | | renewable scrap material. Though they may |
| reasons the pellet stove is praised as an | | | | sometimes be hard to find, a 40-pound bag of |
| environmentally conscience way to heat one’s | | | | pellets can be purchased for around six dollars. |
| home. | | | | How long a bag like this will last is dependent on |
| Wood pellets are not used strictly because they | | | | the stove and how often it is used. Due to the |
| find a use for what would otherwise be waste. | | | | rising popularity of pellet stoves, pellet supplies |
| They are also incredibly efficiently burning. In the | | | | maybe difficult to find during the winter. |
| proper stove, they can be up to 98% efficient. | | | | Thankfully, distribution is expected to meet |
| This means that almost all of the material is | | | | demand in the coming years. |
| turned into heat energy for the home. This also | | | | A pellet stove can make an attractive and |
| means that the stoves do not require chimneys, | | | | practical addition to any home. Homeowners who |
| but rather employ small exhaust systems. A | | | | are concerned about heating their home this |
| quality stove has a ventilation system that | | | | winter should definitely look into installing one of |
| encourages clean and even burning. Fuel | | | | these stoves. |