When prices and inflation rise, consumers can feel the pinch, particularly when it comes to heating costs. Residents of regions with harsh winters, who are most vulnerable to heating fuel-related price volatility, are particularly concerned about finding the cheapest way to heat their home. Fortunately, there are alternative and supplemental heating solutions that can take the sting out of seasonal heating expenditures. PelPro provides a diverse selection of pellet stoves, ensuring you can find the ideal model to meet your home’s specific requirements while saving on annual heating costs.
In this article, we’ll examine pellet stoves in more detail and explore why they might be a good option for maintaining the ideal temperature in your home without breaking the bank.
What is a Pellet Stove?
Like traditional wood stoves, pellet stoves burn sustainable biomass fuel to create heat, but there are some key differences.
Wood stoves burn cords of wood, while pellet stoves use wood pellets made from organic materials like sawdust, wood chips and agricultural waste for combustion. The natural materials are dried and pressed into small pellets; this compression process makes them a durable and a quick-burning fuel source. The high pellet stove efficiency is thanks to the pellet manufacturing process, where moisture content is reduced considerably. Pellet stoves come in different sizes and styles and are especially appealing due to their ease of use and sustainable burn.
How do Pellet Stoves Save Money?
One of the most beneficial aspects of owning a pellet stove is the ability to lower home heating costs. Pellet stoves can save you money in a variety of ways:
High Efficiency
As mentioned, pellets are a dense, tightly compressed type of fuel- meaning they burn cleanly and efficiently. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “pellet stoves are the cleanest solid fuel, residential heating appliance. Pellet stoves that are certified by the EPA are likely to be in the 70% to 83% efficiency range.” All current biomass stoves are EPA-certified, meaning they undergo rigorous emissions and energy efficiency testing. PelPro exceeds these requirements, setting the new standard for efficient pellet stove heating.
Stable Fuel Costs
While the cost of pellet fuel may fluctuate, it’s generally much more stable than the prices for heating oil and propane gas. This stability comes from how pellets are made—they’re created from things like sawdust and wood chips, which are byproducts of the forest industry. Not only are they making use of waste materials, but they’re also less likely to be impacted by big price jumps than other fuels.
Another advantage of using pellets is that you can buy them in large quantities. When you buy in bulk, you ensure you have enough to last through the cold months and usually get a better deal. This makes heating with pellets not just convenient but also a smart financial decision.
Plus, because wood pellets are made here in the U.S by companies like Lignetics, their prices aren’t impacted by big world events or political troubles in other countries that supply oil. This means you can worry less about sudden price spikes and enjoy more predictable heating costs with your pellet stove.
Zone Heating
Zone heating strategically delivers warmth to frequently used areas of your home while minimizing heat in lesser-used spaces like spare bedrooms, storage areas, and mudrooms. This heating strategy is particularly beneficial for owners of large homes in colder climates.
By focusing heat where you spend most of your time, your stove operates more efficiently, warming a specific zone rather than the entire house. This targeted approach can lead to substantial reductions in both fuel consumption and heating costs, with potential savings of up to 40% on heating bills.
Durability and Longevity
A well-maintained pellet stove might last you anywhere from 10-20 years before you need to replace it. PelPro stoves are constructed from robust materials like cast iron and steel, which are known for their durability. These high-quality materials ensure that your PelPro stove not only offers reliable warmth year after year but also remains a dependable part of your home’s heating solution.
Pellet Stove Costs
While pellet stoves have upfront costs, these can be offset by a variety of factors in both the short term and long term.
Purchase Cost
Pellet stove prices require a significant initial investment. For example, PelPro’s freestanding pellet stoves range from $2,429 to $5,739.
Installation
Embracing a DIY installation of your PelPro pellet stove offers a cost-effective route to enhancing home warmth. Each stove comes with comprehensive manuals and video tutorials that guide you through the process, from site selection to proper venting and electrical connections. Make sure to adhere to local building codes and safety guidelines for a successful setup.
Pellet Fuel Costs
Unlike heating oil or propane, which can set you back thousands of dollars each heating season, pellet fuel is relatively affordable. Buying wood pellets by the ton (average price $300), with 2-3 tons being the average amount needed per heating season, could lead to significant savings.
Maintenance and Cleaning
One thing to note about pellet stoves: they must be maintained regularly for optimal heating output. Weekly cleanings are essential to remove soot buildup, and the stoves also need checkups and cleaning on a monthly and yearly basis. While this is a cost in terms of time and sweat equity, the overall savings may justify the extra care required.
Interested in learning about more ways to save on home heating bills? Follow this link to learn more about how to save on heating costs. Curious about buying a pellet stove for yourself? Follow this complete guide on the process.
