You'll be happy to learn that the "supply of pellets stoves and fuel is good," according to Leslie G. Wheeler, director of communications for the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association.
The HPBA advises that you keep pellets dry and not handle them more than necessary, since they can breakup into smaller pieces. Also note that wood pellets in 40-pound bags are easier to store, keep dry, and tote to a stove than loose pellets, which require some sort of large bin.
Storage area can definitely be a concern with wood pellets. "You need some space to store the pellets; I have 4 tons in my basement," says John McAloon, a project leader in the Consumer Reports Technical Division. McAloon schleps the 40-pound bags of pellets into his basement by himself, but innovative bulk-delivery systems could become a more-attractive alternative.
As for water damage, "I've had water get into one or two bags stacked near the bottom of the pallet, but it ruined only a small amount of pellets," McAloon adds.
The HPBA suggests that you burn only grades of pellet recommended by the manufacturer of the stove and clean your stove(s) at least once a week regardless of which grade of pellet you burn.
"The stove requires some cleaning, but I haven't had problems with dust, and the pellets do burn pretty efficiently. Each week, after burning 300 to 400 pounds of pellets, I might find just a few clinkers—large ash deposits," says McAloon.
Two manufacturers whose pellet stoves were tested for our recent report—Harman Home Heating and England's Stove Works—offer valuable safety and troubleshooting advice on their Web sites.
Share your own tips or insights about using pellet stoves, which fuels to buy, and other subjects by leaving a comment below. Our future coverage will look at these burning topics.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook
Essential Information: The October 2009 issue of Consumer Reports includes expert advice on ways to slash your energy bills, ratings of compact fluorescent lightbulbs, and coverage of solar water heaters (stories and ratings are available to subscribers). Look for more ways to save in our new Energy Saving & Green Living guide.
I see no mention here of the impacts to global warming, or the creation of greenhouse gases (CO2, etc) and pollution from the burning of wood pellets...why not ? Is it in the ratings ? People should be aware that burning any type of material is contributing to global warming.
I must be doing something wrong. I have a Harman Accentra fireplace insert, and I have to empty the ash pan once a week and clean the stove once every two weeks to keep it efficient. And cleaning the stove is no easy task.
I have used wood pellets and this will be the fith year. When I first started, pellets were 110,00 a ton (50) 40 pound bags. This year the average price is 265.00 a ton. You really have to shop around, and if you don't have a pickup truck you can add the cost of delivery. I paid around 3200.00 for the stove (Yankee) that included instalation. I had to have a flexible pipe put up the chimney all the way to the top, because the flue was to big and you need a good draft, because the pellet stove pipe dose not get very hot. It would not draw good enough if I did not have the flexible pipe. The stove itself works very well. It has a self igniter which works very well and a wall mounted thermostat. I clean it out about once a week. This involves brushing the inside and cleaning all the ash and clean the ash pot. I use window cleaner for the glass and a little elbow grease and two rags or paper towels to make them like new. I also vacume the gasket and the inside of the stove, making sure it has no signs of hot spots. Twice a heating season I disconect the flexible pipe and run a chimney brush up it to clean out ash that has built up. Usually about a bucket or so. When I put it back togeather I wrap the joint with fireproff tape to keep it from sucking air or smoking. Oil the fan and make sure everything is clean and that's about it. I have not needed service on this stop in all the time I have owned it. It's very cozy, especially when the glass is nice and clean and you get a great view of the flame. The window dose get dirty, but I clean it weekly. The ashpan gets dumped about every two weeks. It is a very fine ash. I dump it in the garden, but if the wind is blowing, watch out. My only concern is the cost of pellets. I think they are over priced, and it's a task to carry bags of pellets from my storage area to the stove. Look for the bags that have a handle built right into the top of the bag. makes it much easier. Good Luck.
As to how many bags of pellets I use a heating season, It depends how warm you keep the house and if you use it 24/7. Last year I used it 24/7 and keep it about 75 degrees. I used six tons of pellets, but we were warm and cozy. My house is a large old farm house in upstate New York, and not insulated. If I were more conservative I could get thru with four tons and keep it cool 60 degrees during the night. I have noticed that the price seems to go up as the season gos by,and the price goes up, if you can even find them. Make sure to burn premium hard wood pellets. Some suppliers sell soft wood pellets, and they are not good.
The reason green house gasses aren't mentioned.
Wood pellets are made out of waste material, this material would normally be composted or landfilled. When material rots it gives off the same gasses as if it were burned. Since these stoves burn cleanly they are considered CO2 neutral!
I bought a top of the line Harmon pellet stove a few years ago and it has been one ofthe worst purchases I ever made. So far I've replace almost every part of the stove but the vacuum switch and the controls. The vacuum switch is going.
If anyione tries to sell a Hastings - run as fast as you can.
Ted Allen
I had the best luck with Curran Renewable Energy wood pellets. They have 100% Hardwood, 100% Softwood, a Hardwood/Softwood blend, and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Pure wood pellets which is part of the Rainforest Alliance Certification. The common idea is to have 100% hardwood but Ive burned the blend and they burned quite nicely. All of the products have very low ash and burn really clean. The BTU of the blend is surprisingly higher than just hardwood.
Regarding global warming/greenhouse gas CO2 when burning wood pellets--any wood used as a heat source is better than oil or gas because you have to factor in that the TREE took 30-70 years to grow and in that time, it ABSORBED CO2 in the air. When you then cut/burn it, yes it does create new CO2, but as long as foresters keep planting new trees (to keep absorbing CO2), wood is a better global warming choice than oil or gas. PS: This assumes your stove is new and isn't producing lots of smoke and particles, like those outdoor standalone furnaces. They are filthy and should be avoided.
I would not worry about Global warming. Thing one think of the other forms of heating and feel this gives off less then the other alternatives. Two, They are coming out with proof that the earth was hotter millions of years ago when industry did not even exist. We bought a Englander pellet stove this year. We have and some problems that we are working out but I can tell you after paying for the stove plus all of the pellets that we have burnt this year, I will be able to buy pellets all next year for the same price that it would have cost me for just propane this year and I would have still been cold with the propane. I love these things
When wood decays, rots, or burns...it gives off the exact same amount of CO2 (burning just releases it faster).
Global warming is a crock....stop listening to the idiot Al Gore and get a life.
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