You may have heard a lot lately about pellet stoves as they have become a top choice in heating systems for homes. Debuting in 1930, pellet stoves have gone through many changes, from a large, boxy, workhorse design to a smaller decorative heating appliance to be used in residential homes. As the heating industry has moved towards heating systems based on high efficiency and renewable resources over the past 10 years, pellet stoves have become a great option. Aelite Chimney Specialties sells and installs pellet stoves, and we have been asked many questions about these appliances. We would like to answer for you the most frequently asked questions with information from the website HowStuffWorks.
What is pellet stove and what exactly are the pellets?
Convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, a pellet stove is a sophisticated electronic appliance that gives you an economic and high-efficient heating option for your house. These stoves are fueled by wood pellets made from recycled sawdust and wood shavings, which have been swept up off the floors of sawmills. Cheap and easy to manufacture, wood pellets are compact and environmentally friendly because they have a very low pollution rate.
Are there different types of pellet stoves?
Yes, there are two different types: free-standing and insert stoves. You can get an insert if you have an existing fireplace, and one of our expert technicians at Aelite Chimney Specialties will install it into the firebox and vent it through your chimney. If you do not have a fireplace, you can go with a free-standing stove with its own exhaust pipe.
Do pellet stoves come in different styles and options?
Available in all sorts of sizes, shapes, styles and colors, you are sure to find the perfect pellet stove for your home, no matter your taste. As for options, you can go with the standard model or with the super deluxe version with a programmable, controlled feeder and a remote control thermostat. Our staff at Aelite Chimney Specialties would love to show you our wide variety of pellet stoves available. Other options include the hopper location, heat output levels, and manual or automatic ignition.
What are the benefits versus the disadvantages of pellet stoves?
The benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. Pellet stoves are easy to operate, convenient, environmentally-friendly, and safer as they give off less smoke and creosote. In addition,
the fuel offers even more benefits as the pellets are inexpensive, easy to store, and also eco-friendly. The biggest disadvantage of a pellet stove is that it runs on electricity. So, if your power goes out in a storm or for another reason, you will have no heat, unless you have a back-up generator. Another disadvantage is it may be difficult to find pellets in your area, or the store may not carry a sufficient inventory for you to keep up your supply.
If you have other questions about pellet stoves, contact Aelite Chimney Specialties today. Our knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to answer your questions and tell you more about this alternative heating appliance.