Pellet Stove Inserts

What are Pellet Stove Inserts?

Pellet stove inserts are a new and better way to heat a home. They have many advantages over a traditional wood fire, wood-burning insert, gas logs, or electrical insert. These stove inserts are specifically designed to burn low-cost pellets as fuel. They are environmentally friendly, and new technology is being developed that will let stove inserts burn a wider variety of pellet fuels and make home heating even more economical. Inserts come in a variety of designs and colors.

Pellet stove inserts use pellets as the fuel source. Pellets are a condensed, low-moisture fuel made of wood byproducts, corn, grass, or even nuts. The pellets resemble rabbit food. The inserts are specifically designed to burn that type of fuel; some inserts are pellet specific, such as wood or corn pellets, while others are multi-fuel compatible. They come in different hopper capacities, which determines how long it can heat without having to be refilled. Good quality inserts come with an internal thermostat and motor that automatically moves pellets from the hopper into the heating chamber when the room reaches the set temperature. A fan blows the heated air into the room. The inserts come in different sizes that will heat different size rooms. The insert slides right into the fireplace and utilizes the chimney for ventilation. While it is best to let a professional install the insert to insure proper functioning, no structural changes to your home should be necessary. Electricity is needed to run the motor and fan on the stove insert, so it is necessary to have a nearby outlet.

They are environmentally friendly. Wood pellets are made of wood byproducts, saw dust, paper-packaging waste, and other scraps that would typically end up in a landfill. Corn is also used to make pellets. Corn is a easily renewable resource, and corn burns completely clean and has a sweet, pleasant aroma. Pellet fuel is available where natural gas isn't; even if you live where there are no local pellet dealers, you can have it shipped directly to your home. Bags of pellets are generally easier to store than wood bundles. Pellet burning stoves are well-insulated, and the exterior remains fairly cool to the touch. This is an important safety benefit for homes with small children or pets. One of the biggest advantages of the pellet stove insert is the economy of use. A bag of pellets costs $2.00 – $4.00 for a 40 pound bag, depending on where you live in the country and local availability. A 30 pound bag of pellets will last, on average, one to two days. This means that you can heat an area of your home for around $60.00 a month. Inserts are available that can heat up to 2200 square feet – the size of a nice home. If the air ways are open, it is possible to heat most of the home with one insert. Some pellet burning units can even be configured to work with the homes existing heating duct-work and function as a whole-house heater.

Not really, but there are some considerations. The first is the cost of the insert. A quality pellet stove insert will cost between $1500 and $3000. While the unit could easily pay for itself over one winter, the upfront expense may eliminate this as an option for some. The stove inserts are not approved by H.U.D. for use in manufactured housing. It is necessary to keep the insert clean and remove ash buildup regularly. A professional chimney sweep should clean the chimney yearly for safety.