A pellet stove can safely, efficiently, and inexpensively heat a home. If you are thinking about buying a house with a pellet stove, be sure to follow safety and maintenance procedures to maximize the benefits and keep your family safe.
Benefits of a Pellet Stove
A pellet stove is easy to use. It has an automatic ignition and power modulation and can be controlled with a remote control or thermostat. The fuel burns efficiently, and the stove is carbon dioxide neutral. Wood pellets are compressed to remove moisture, which allows them to burn hotter and create less smoke, creosote, and ash than firewood. Pellets are also less expensive than other types of fuel and easy to store.
Pellet Stove Safety and Maintenance Tips
Be careful around the outside of the pellet stove because of the potential for burns. Keep children and pets away. Install a carbon monoxide detector and dispose of ashes in a metal container with a lid.
Have your pellet stove inspected and cleaned before the beginning of each heating season to help it produce enough heat for your home. If the flame is orange or dark yellow at any time, have the stove professionally serviced.
Experiment with different brands of pellets until you find one that burns well and doesn’t leave a lot of residues. More expensive pellets tend to burn hotter and more cleanly than less expensive ones. Top-fed stoves generally require higher-quality pellets than bottom-fed stoves.
A pellet stove requires regular cleaning and maintenance to provide consistent and sufficient heat. During the heating season, use an ash vacuum (not a home vacuum cleaner) to remove residue. Empty the ash trap or drawer every week. Ash can melt and harden, which can cause the fuel and oxygen to deviate from the proper ratio and can affect the performance of the stove.
If there is any soot on the inside of the stove, remove it with a wire brush. Even a small amount of soot can have a major effect on the amount of heat the stove can produce.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean the heat exchanger. Turn off the stove, let it cool, and clean the glass with paper towels and glass cleaner on the inside and outside so the fuel can burn efficiently.
Let the auger tube and fuel hopper empty completely from time to time so sawdust and pellet debris don’t block the feed system. At the end of heating season, remove unused pellets from the hopper and feed system.
Have a House Inspected before You Buy
A pellet stove can be a safe and efficient heat source, but unaddressed issues could make it dangerous. If you are thinking about buying a house, have it thoroughly inspected so you are aware of any problems.
Accuracy Plus can inspect aspects of the house you are considering so you can make an informed decision.