Pellet Stove Facts
Pellet stoves are used to heat indoor areas, and are available as freestanding units or fireplace inserts. Since the wood pellets are composed of organic materials, they are considered biomass fuels, which is an environmentally friendly alternative to using fossil fuels for space heating. Does this Spark an idea?
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Automatic Ignition
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Many recent models of pellet stoves have ignition systems that are automatic, where the stove turns on using a thermostat like a conventional heating system. This makes for an easier transition from oil or other traditional heating methods.
Pellet Stove Maintenance
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Wood pellet stoves require maintenance just like any other heating appliance. This includes cleaning the inside of the unit, and annual inspections of the venting system and chimney for cracks or loose connections.
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Pellet Stove Statistics
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In 2008, 141,211 pellet stoves were shipped in the United States. This represented 8 percent of all heating appliances shipped that year. Only 34,000 were shipped in 1998.
Commercial Pellet Stoves
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Although most people associate pellet stoves with residential use, they have commercial uses as well. The equipment can be scaled up to meet almost any size area. The State of Washington has used wood pellet technology to heat the Walla Walla State prison since the early 1990s. The prison burns 40,000 pellets per day, and reports a 30-percent fuel expenditure saving since converting from natural gas.
Pellet Stove Emissions
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Pellet stoves emit much less pollution than other fuels, and are exempt from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations on smoke emissions.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Tanais Fox
