| off the bat, it's easier to buy a used pellet stove | | | | speed auger that controls the rate pellets are fed |
| than a new one simply because you have fewer | | | | into the burn pot. |
| choices. But lack of choice doesn't have to mean | | | | Air washing system |
| lack of quality. I'm sure the owner of the used | | | | Believe it or not, the #1 complaint people have |
| pellet stove you're looking at believed it was the | | | | with pellet stoves is dirty viewing glass. An air |
| best possible choice at that time. | | | | washing system, now standard on many new |
| Whether you're looking for a used, or even a new | | | | pellet stoves, removes the fly ash from the |
| pellet stove, the information that follows will make | | | | viewing window and eliminates frequent cleaning. |
| you a smarter consumer. | | | | Extras |
| Visit Your Local Building Department | | | | Many sellers of used pellet stoves include the |
| Installing a wood or pellet stove usually requires a | | | | venting pipe, hearth pad, log set, and any left |
| building permit. While you're picking up your permit | | | | over pellet fuel in the purchase price. These |
| application, tell the person helping you the type of | | | | extras can add up to hundreds of dollars in |
| heating appliance you plan to install and ask what | | | | additional savings. |
| kind of additional documentation, if any, is required. | | | | Where to Find a Used Pellet Stove |
| This is especially important if you own a mobile or | | | | Start with craigslist. Since most used pellet stove |
| modular home. | | | | sellers offer pick up only, craigslist enables you to |
| When I talked to the City of Quincy building | | | | refine your search by City or State. This is a big |
| department, they said a product brochure with | | | | time saver. A recent check in the Boston area |
| clearance and venting information would be helpful. | | | | turned up 12 used stoves within a 50 mile radius |
| You can get all this information by visiting the | | | | of my home.ebay has plenty of listings too, you |
| stove manufacturer's website, downloading the | | | | just won't find as many local sellers as you will on |
| owner's manual and printing it out. | | | | craigslist. When I narrowed the ebay search |
| Choose Your Fuel and Stove Size | | | | results to a 50 mile radius of my zip code using |
| If you live in the Corn Belt, the choice of fuel is | | | | the Search Option function, it returned only 1 |
| obvious. If you live in the Northeast, the fuel of | | | | seller. |
| choice is wood pellets. Since fuel corn is | | | | However, ebay will conveniently notify you by |
| "imported" to the Northeast, the price of wood | | | | email whenever a new listing pops up and it's |
| pellets is competitive with corn. Wood pellet fuel is | | | | possible to delay payment for 3 months by using |
| also becoming a common commodity in home | | | | their credit card. |
| improvement stores as more home owners in | | | | Search tip: A search on either craigslist or ebay |
| this region purchase wood pellet stoves. | | | | will turn up MORE used pellet stoves if you use |
| You don't need a big stove to save big. Most of | | | | the term "pellet stove" rather than the narrower |
| the used corn and wood pellet stoves I've seen | | | | "used pellet stove." Also try "pellet", "wood pellet", |
| produce 35,000–45,000 btus - enough to | | | | or the brand name. |
| heat a typical 1,200 square foot ranch or the main | | | | How Much Can I Expect to Save? |
| living areas of a two story home. | | | | Generally speaking, the higher the original retail |
| If you can get a good deal on a larger, 50-60,000 | | | | price, the more you will save percentage wise. |
| btu stove, one of these will work great too since | | | | Stoves that sold for $3,000 new can often be |
| these high output models come equipped with 5 | | | | purchased used at savings of 50-70%. Stoves |
| heat settings ranging from a low of 8,000 btus | | | | priced new under $2,000 seem to depreciate less. |
| for chilly days, to max power for the coldest | | | | Delivery |
| weather. | | | | If you choose to pay for delivery, call a shipper |
| Look for These Features and Extras: | | | | like Yellow Truck or a courier service to make |
| Electronic ignition | | | | arrangements. If you buy from an ebay seller |
| Just because you're buying a used pellet stove | | | | willing to ship the stove, a freight shipping |
| doesn't mean you should return to the dark ages | | | | calculator is provided on the sales page. |
| of pellet stove heating with gel starters. Frankly, I | | | | No matter who ships your stove, make the sure |
| wouldn't buy a stove without electronic ignition. | | | | the truck they send has a lift gate so you can |
| Large hopper capacity | | | | get your 300 pound stove off the truck. |
| A standard size hopper holds 40 pounds of pellet | | | | Installation |
| fuel. This is enough fuel to heat your home for | | | | Most cities and towns require a licensed pro to |
| 20-30 hours. A larger capacity hopper, although | | | | complete the installation. If you're an experienced |
| not necessary, adds convenience by requiring less | | | | home owner, finding one shouldn't be a problem. If |
| frequent fillings. | | | | you're new to home ownership, I recommend a |
| Heat output controls | | | | service like Need a Contractor for a list of |
| During the months that transition in and out of | | | | pre-screened contractors is your area. |
| the heating season, you won't need the full | | | | Contact the Seller |
| heating capacity of your pellet stove. A heat | | | | Don't hesitate to contact the seller with any |
| output control will ensure maximum comfort from | | | | questions you might have. He or she can be |
| minimal fuel. Heat output controls can take the | | | | especially helpful in determining whether the used |
| form of a thermostat, hi/lo blower, or variable | | | | pellet stove for sale is still under warranty. |