The Basics of Pellet Stoves

One need only to learn the basics about these popular heat generating appliances to understand why they have become increasingly popular in the past few years. As people look towards more energy efficient, and economical or "green" options for life's everyday necessities, the addition of pellet stoves as a heating choice is very appealing. These stoves are known to burn pellets made from materials known as biomass, which are typically waste products from plants and trees such as sawdust and branches. Wood pellets are compressed biological materials uniform in size and shape. Residential pellets generally don't need additives because of the resin and lignins that act as binders to hold the pieces together. Due to their density, pellet stoves are also able to produce an intense heat which is very consistent and therefore easy to control.

Further, the Pellet Fuel Institute has developed standards that must be adhered to when manufacturing the pellets. For instance, there are aspects which aren't included in the PFI's standards, one of which is trace minerals that they might contain. Materials used in pellets also sometimes tend to vary by region. Though trace minerals might be minimal, they can nonetheless often contribute to the formation of clumps when the ashes combine together, known as clinkers. When these form, it will increase the amount of maintenance that will need to be carried out on the stoves, though if professional recommendations for matching fuel to the type of stove are followed, it will still be an insignificant amount of additional maintenance.

The type of appliance that you choose will also make it possible to determine the frequency with which you will need to clean or carry out your routine maintenance. There are free-standing pellet stoves, which offer the most flexibility in installation, and inserts, which are installed into an existing fireplace. It is not advisable to attempt installation on your own, particularly with the inserts, which have specifications that will need to be met for safety and efficiency. Sizes also tend to vary greatly, so it will depend on the space that you have and the configuration that you will decide to choose. There are also top-feed and bottom-feed stoves. Bottom-feed stoves seem to require less maintenance as the feeding process will be able to move ash and therefore clinkers away from the burn pot and will have a tray that will be able to be removed and emptied more easily. Top-feeds might also have an advantage in heat efficiency, as the pellets will tend to remain within the burn pot until completely reduced to ashes.

Whether you choose an insert or decide to have a pellet furnace installed, there will be a number of manufacturers and distributors which will be available to assist you with the process. Most will be able to easily be found online so you can carry out some research before you have a face to face with your local salesman. Some reputable names to look for are Quadra Fire, which has been a leader in combustion technology, Harman, which has information about a possible tax credit for stoves installed by the end of 2010 on their website homepage Lopi, which offer only American Made products, Napoleon, also known for their fireplaces and Kozi, which also feature wood stoves and direct vent fireplaces.