Buying Considerations for Pellet Stoves, in 2020
Buying Considerations for Pellet Stoves, in 2020
This article is the continuation of the first regarding a few factors that you must consider before you make a pellet stove purchase.
Venting
Pellet stoves are power vented so they can be placed almost anywhere in your homes, be through the wall, through the ceiling, or into a masonry chimney, if you have one. The only requirement is that the vertical chimney should be three feet at the least. This chimney is usually stainless steel-lined and three to four inches in diameter.
Installation
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) of the US suggests that people buy from specialty retailers and hire certified professionals to install pellet stoves in order to ensure safety. The professional installers will be the ones to obtain the building permits and to make sure that all of the safety requirements are met, such as the length of the chimney and placement of the stove on a non-combustible surface.
Ignition System
Three types of ignition systems are available: standard, self-starting, and fully automatic. The standard system requires the use of a match and starter gel. The self-starting system provides a button or a remote control which the person uses to start the stove. The fully automatic system is managed by a thermostat that turns on and off depending on the selected heat level. Choose a reliable startup system that would suit your frequency of usage (i.e. intermittent or continuous).
Feeding System
A top-fed stove, which feeds pellets from the hopper down to a tube, decreases the risk of fire burning right back into the holding area of the pellets, but is more likely to get clogged with ashes. This is why top-fed models are recommended to be fueled with high-grade, low-ash pellets. Bottom-fed stove models, on the other hand, deliver the pellets to the side or from behind the burn box. Since the ash is pushed right into the pan during delivery, bottom-fed models don’t require the more expensive premium fuel but they may not be as efficient.
Miscellaneous Features
Some models have optional features that enhance their ease of use, convenience, and reliability. Some of these miscellaneous features are self-cleaning burn pots, self-cleaning glass that utilizes an air wash system that channels warm air over it during burning, deep ash pans to accommodate more residue and backup power since stoves require electricity to be run. Check the features or each model before making your decision.
Style
There are many options to choose from in terms of the external design of pellet stoves. From modern to old world, from cast iron to porcelain, you’ll be sure to find one that suits your taste and the interiors of your home.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Pellet stoves contain motors, moving parts, electronic gadgetry, and electrical features. These are easy to maintain, but regular checking and servicing must be done in order to ensure that they perform their functions properly. The routing tasks that must be done include the following:
- Emptying the ash pan 2. Cleaning the glass, hopper, burn pot, and ash pan 3. Scheduling inspection services yearly as recommended by the HPBA