Looking for an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective way to heat your home? Many homeowners opt for pellet heat as an effective alternative, but is it the right choice for you?
Heating a home can be expensive, especially in a colder climate. As heating oil and electricity costs rise, you may seek out a heat source alternative that can stabilize heating expenses. One option you may want to consider is a pellet stove, which can provide an environmentally sustainable, cost-effective method for heating your home.
In this article, we’ll answer, “are pellet stoves worth it?” by examining how they work and review some of the pros and cons of using wood pellets for heating.
Explore Forge & Flame’s line of pellet stoves to add elevated ambiance and warmth to your space.
What Are Pellet Stoves?
A pellet stove is a heating source similar to a wood-burning stove. Pellet stoves burn a renewable biomass fuel called pellets, made of materials like wood chips and sawdust, instead of using wood for fuel. Pellet heaters are available as freestanding stoves or fireplace inserts, heating one part or all of a home (depending on your floor plan).
People like pellet heating because it’s an incredibly environmentally sustainable option. Pellet stoves reduce greenhouse gas emissions when used as an alternative to heating oil, propane or natural gas. Plus, pellet stoves are available in various looks and finishes, so you can opt for a style from traditional to modern to complement any aesthetic.
How Pellet Stoves Work
Pellets are poured into the stove’s fuel hopper, which is fed into the combustion chamber by an electric auger. The auger feeds pellets to the burn pot at the correct rate to maintain your set temperature. This means the fire may be roaring, modulate lower or even go out and relight automatically based on the current temperature of the room. Because of the pellet density, these stoves produce very little ash and emit extremely low outside air particulates compared to other types of stoves.
You can use pellet heaters independently or in conjunction with an existing heating source, such as a central furnace or boiler. The stove can seamlessly integrate into your living space, either by venting through the chimney or directly out an exterior wall with no visible pipe.
Review our complete guide to compare pellet, wood-burning and gas stoves to know which is right for you.
Benefits of Pellet Stoves
Good pellet stoves and inserts add more than just heat to your home. From pellet stove efficiency to available tax credits and heating bill savings, there are numerous reasons homeowners switch to pellet stoves.
Energy Efficiency
The EPA evaluates pellet stoves using HHV to measure total energy potential, including exhaust gas condensation. To get tax credits, stoves must be at least 75% efficient according to EPA guidelines that are measured by HHV. Forge & Flame pellet stoves meet this criteria by offering a sleek design that uses key technologies to extract the most heat from the fuel.
Furthermore, a well-maintained pellet stove is a highly efficient heating option compared to heating oil or electric options. Most pellet stoves can provide up to 24 hours of steady heat with just one hopper of pellets with minimal ash.
What does this mean for you? An efficient pellet stove provides consistent heat while keeping fuel and heating costs lower than other options.
An Environmentally Sustainable Heat Source
Not only are pellet stoves efficient but they’re also an environmentally conscious heating alternative, and expel extremely low particulate emissions using a renewable fuel source. In fact, burning one ton of pellets (rather than using oil) can reduce carbon emissions by nearly 1.5 tons, according to the Pellet Fuels Institute.
By heating efficiently with a pellet stove that uses biomass fuels which convert plants and wood into energy, owners are part of the solution. Forge & Flame stoves are designed to extract the most heat from fuel, and produce lower particulate emissions compared to alternative heating methods such as oil or gas.
Long-Term Cost Savings
One of the biggest pellet stove advantages is reduced heating costs. Depending on the size of the stove and your home, high-efficiency pellet stoves could heat up to 2,500 square feet for as little as $4 per day. To calculate how much you can save by switching to pellets, visit our pellet fuel savings calculator. What’s more, there’s a federal incentive that permits pellet stove owners to claim a 30% tax credit with a maximum cap of $2,000 per year through December 31, 2032.
Ease of Use and Automation
Another key benefit of pellet stoves is that they are easy to use and automate temperature control without manual intervention. These stoves use automated pellet feeding systems and thermostatic controls to maintain consistent heat output based on your set temperature. Depending on the exact model you install, your stove may also include automated alerts for cleaning and adding fuel, taking the guesswork out of operating it.
Dependable and Consistent Heat
A pellet stove is a highly reliable heat source. It produces steady, controllable heat over extended periods, keeping you comfortable and cozy indoors during the cold seasons. Pellet stoves also last up to 10-15 years but with proper cleaning and maintenance can last even longer. Some can last even longer when properly maintained, cleaned and prepared for the burn season.
Explore our guide to zone heating to find the perfect heating solution for your home.
Pellet Stove Considerations
While pellet stoves may be highly efficient, they come with a few requirements to ensure proper function and longevity. In short, you'll need the space and electricity to support these appliances, and you must be prepared to perform routine maintenance to keep them running efficiently.
Maintenance Requirements
Pellet stoves require regular maintenance to run efficiently and safely. You'll need to add pellets regularly, scrape the burn pot and remove ashes while you're burning.
After the cold season, you'll want to perform a deep clean to ensure all parts continue working efficiently. Luckily, it's fairly simple to maintain a pellet stove and keep it running at its best. As you clean, carefully follow instructions in the owner's manual or hire a professional if needed.
Dependency on Electricity or Back-Up Battery
In the event of a power outage, pellet stoves do require electricity to light the flame. Fortunately, many models are available with battery backup systems. A battery backup system ensures uninterrupted use of your stove and prevents smoke from entering your home as the fire will not naturally extinguish. Investing in a generator is also another great way to light the flame of your pellet stove and stay warm. The heat from your pellet stove can be long lasting and cozy when you need it most especially with the strategic use of zone heating in your space.
Higher Up Front Costs
One larger consideration to pellet stoves is the upfront investment and pellet stove installation cost. However, the costs to purchase and install a pellet stove are largely comparable to other alternatives like wood or gas stoves. Plus, once you incur the upfront pellet stove costs, you can enjoy long-term savings and energy efficiency gains as you reduce dependence on your central furnace.
Availability of Pellets
To keep your pellet stove running, you’ll need to regularly purchase pellet fuel, which may vary in availability depending on the region. Fortunately, most you can order pellet fuel and have it delivered right to your door so you can keep a steady supply. Be sure to plan for sufficient fuel storage to maintain reliable heat throughout the colder seasons from your pellet stove.
Space Requirements
If you want to install a pellet stove, you’ll need to have ample space to place it in your home–likely in your living room. Pellet stoves don’t need a chimney in the traditional sense, but, you must ensure proper clearance from walls and combustible materials, not just the stove itself. While selecting a model, consider where the pellet stove will go and find a model that fits the available space.
Understand more about the ventilation differences between wood, gas and pellet stoves.
Pellet Stoves vs. Other Heating Options
After learning more about pellet stoves, you might wonder how they stack up against other alternative heat sources. Each type of stove fits different needs and preferences, so let’s take a brief side-by-side look at wood, gas and electric stoves to see how they compare to pellet stoves.
Wood-Burning Stoves
When comparing a pellet stove vs. a wood stove, consider that wood stoves aren’t quite as efficient as pellet stoves and require more manual intervention to maintain consistent heat output. Many homeowners are drawn to the aesthetic and traditional appeal of wood stoves. However, the modern convenience and automated operation of pellet stoves are important factors to keep in mind when choosing between the two.
Electric Stoves
You may also consider an electric stove, like the FUZION-EX electric stove. These offer more flexible installation, as you don’t need to account for venting or hearth protection like with a pellet stove. Additionally, they tend to be much less expensive to install and produce no emissions. However, they may not produce the same long-term energy savings as pellet stoves, given that electricity is the sole fuel source.
Gas Stoves
Compared to pellet stoves, gas stoves have similar efficiency levels and cost about the same to install. However, pellet stoves are more eco-conscious because they rely on biomass fuel source rather than natural gas or propane. On the other hand, gas stoves typically require less maintenance than pellet stoves. They also are convenient to operate with no required fuel loading, and don’t require a back-up generator during power outages. The price and availability of gas in your region can impact the long-term costs of maintaining a gas stove, which will likely influence your decision between the two.
Learn why wood pellets are superior to heating oil for affordable, sustainable and comfortable heat.
Making the Decision: Are Pellet Stoves Worth It?
If you’re trying to decide whether a pellet stove is the right choice for your heating needs, evaluating your lifestyle, home layout and personal preferences can help you make the right decision. Here are some of the main factors to consider:
- Initial Cost and Investment: The cost to purchase and install a pellet stove can be a few thousand dollars, though this is similar to what it costs to install a gas or wood stove.
- Fuel Availability: Look into the availability of pellet fuel in your region and ensure you have enough storage space to accommodate unused bags of pellets.
- Heating Needs: Pellet stoves are highly versatile and can work independently or in combination with a central furnace or boiler to support zoned heating.
- Space Requirements: Assess whether you have the space to place a freestanding or stove insert in your home, considering the necessary clearance from walls and combustibles.
- Maintenance Requirements: Be aware that pellet stoves often require more ongoing maintenance than other types of stoves, given the numerous moving parts they contain.
- Aesthetic Preferences: Pellet stoves range in styles and finishes, so you can easily find one that complements the aesthetics of your space.
Find the Best Pellet Stove For You with Help From Forge & Flame
Are pellet stoves worth it? If you’re someone who cares about your environmental impact and wants to save money on your heating bill, a pellet stove is a great option.
If you need help deciding which option is right for you, choose Forge & Flame for all your pellet stove needs. We have a long track record of providing high-quality, reliable heating solutions tailored to the unique needs of each homeowner. Check out our inspiration gallery and locate a dealer near you to find the best stove option for your home.
