Wood Stove

Wood Pellet Stoves - Efficient And Economical

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:31:00 +0000

Burning wood to heat one's home is not a new concept. It's been done since ancient times when people discovered that a fire in their cave could not only provide light but also heat. Obviously, a great deal has changed since then, but burning wood is still an effective way to heat your home. In fact, with the advent of wood pellet stoves, burning wood to heat your home has become even easier and cheaper.

Wood pellet stoves are smaller and more efficient then the traditional wood burning stove. Because of this, they can be placed in many areas of your home where a larger wood stove or fireplace would not be practical. Many of the styles are also designed to be hooked into your existing heating ducts and chimney, which means that you can quickly and efficiently heat your entire home, no matter how large it is, with a single stove and with very little alteration to your home.

Some styles also feature see through glass enclosures. These allow you to watch the flames and provide a romantic setting, just like a traditional wood burning fireplace. Unlike fireplaces however, you will not be sending most of the heat generated right up your chimney, but instead into your home.

Traditionally wood stoves and fireplaces burn logs. These are cumbersome to store and require a great deal of work to get them cut and split to the correct size. That is never a problem with pellet stoves.

Wood burning pellet stoves burn small pellets, usually only about an inch long, made from sawdust. The sawdust is subjected to a great deal of pressure which creates very compressed pellets that are lightweight and burn for a long time. Their size makes them very easy to work with and you wont have to deal with an unattractive wood pile in your back yard that attracts all kinds of bugs you donít really want near your home. You have them delivered like any other heating source and then simply shovel them into the stove as needed.

In today's tightening economy, everyone is looking for a way to reduce their heating costs. Wood pellet stoves may just be the answer you are looking for. Although there is some costs involved with the purchase and installation of such a stove, you will find that it quickly pays for itself with the savings you will reap as compared to heating with traditional fuels such as natural gas and oil.

by Wes Hamilton

Ideal Stove for Camping

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:45:00 +0000

Choosing the ideal stove for camping will depend on the location and weather condition of the camping site. There are two general categories of camping stoves namely according to camping activity and fuel used.

Generally, camping stoves are portable and lightweight and may come various sizes and shapes for convenient handling. There are two categories of stove with their corresponding pros and cons.

Types of camping stoves according to camping activity and location :

Backpacking stoves

Stoves of these kinds are portable and easy to use, which perform well when fueled by gas canister, solid fuel or methylated spirit.

Mountain stoves

These kinds of stoves are usually lightweight and come with a detachable liquid fuel source for easy set-up. However, these have low performances if used in high altitude location or places with very cold climate.

Family camping stoves

Since these are intended for family outing, they are usually the bulky type that can be transported with the use of a car.

Types of camping stoves according to fuel used :

Stove with gas canister

This type is the easiest to use since you only need to switch and light it on. However, more disadvantages are observed like the high operational cost, waste disposal problem, and reduced performance in high altitude places.

Solid fuel stove

This makes use of alcohol gels and hex blocks to produce fire. Advantages include safety, reliability, affordability, and low maintenance. Like any other stoves, it also has limitations like longer cooking duration, limited availability and inefficient heat production.

Mythylated spirit powered stove

The vapor emitted by the burner is what keeps the stove working. It is a lot safer; however, cooking time is longer due to very low temperature produced.

Petroleum liquid based stove

Economical and versatility make this type of stove ideal for longer camping days and extreme condition adventures. The only disadvantage of this type is, it needs extra pumping effort to pre-heat the fuel and produce light.

Various options should always be explored when buying a camping stove. Consider the advantages and disadvantages before deciding to buy. The kind of trip, the number of campers, and the climate should always be taken into account. When buying a camping stove, always see to it that the fuel is compatible with the type of stove to be able to maximize its performance. We can only say that this type of stove is ideal if it suitable to the kind of camping trip we are undertaking.

by Meliza Mateo

The Advantages Of Corn Pellet Stoves

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:56:00 +0000

Corn pellet stoves are very similar to wood pellet stoves except they are specifically designed to burn the higher moisture pellets made from corn. Their small compact design and the fact that they only require a 4 inch vent for smoke to exit your house makes it possible for them to be installed in almost any room in your home. The fact that they can easily be hooked into existing heating ducts means that a single stove may be all you need to efficiently heat your entire house.

Although corn pellet stoves are not practical in all parts of the country, if you live in an area where large amounts of corn is grown and processed, they are a very inexpensive way to heat your home. Purchasing and installing a stove is not expensive, and it will likely pay for itself the first winter you use it.

These stoves are very eco-friendly. Not only are they clean burning, releasing only minimal chemical by products into the atmosphere, but the fact that they burn corn, an easily renewable resource, means that they do not deplete any of the resources, such as coal and oil, that may only exist in a limited amounts. These nonrenewable resources also do a great deal of damage to the environment when they are gathered and processed. Growing corn does not damage the environment in any way as long as the farmer takes basic steps to protect his top soil. In fact, large fields of growing corn do their part to keep the carbon monoxide levels in the atmosphere under control.

Corn pellet stoves burn more efficiently than wood pellet stoves, but they require more maintenance. The higher moisture content of corn pellets means that they leave more residue both in the stove and the chimney. This residue needs to removed regularly to keep the stove functioning properly and to prevent the possibility of a chimney fire.

Pellet stoves come in many sizes and styles, so you are sure to be able to find one that matches your decor. Some of the more popular styles feature glass enclosures that allow you to watch the flames and givesyou the ambiance of a traditional wood burning fireplace.

For many people, particularly those that live in the grain belt, corn pellet stoves may be the perfect solution to the problem of high heating costs. They not only allow you to heat your home efficiently and cheaply, but they also ensure that our nation's farmers have a continuous market for their grain.

Source: www.goarticles.com | by Wes Hamilton

Wood Pellet Stoves More Efficient Then Ever Before

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:19:00 +0000

Over the past few years, a very popular alternative to using wood as the fuel for wood burning stoves has changed to pellets. Pellet stoves can be found in many different styles and shapes, so they're easy to coordinate with any rooms' décor.

Fireplaces are being built into many news homes today as their popularity increases. Whether they are wood burning, gas, or electric, they have become very in demand new home option. However, if you're looking to add another secondary heat source to part of your home, you can't always just run out and buy a traditional fireplace. That's where a wood or pellet burning stove comes in.

The past versions of stoves didn't come with an internal firebox, so they were very dangerous because of the temperatures they reached. With today's versions, they are built with a firebox, which not only makes them safer, but also dramatically increases their heating ability and efficiency. Just about all the pellet or wood burning stoves made today are able to be vented through the side of the house. This has made it possible to put them almost anywhere around the home.

The wood pellets are a combination of compressed wood products that burn longer and hotter, so you're not adding more fuel every twenty minutes. They are very energy efficient with built in heat exchangers that allow for maximum warmth. Some of these can produce upwards of 70,000 BT.U's, so they heat a lot of square footage

No matter what type of fireplace or pellet burning stove you install, be sure to follow all the manufacturers instructions. When venting a pellet stove or gas fireplace out the side, be sure that it runs straight and level. If you vent it with even a slight downward slope, the fire will eventually run out of its oxygen source, and go out.

by Sachin K Airan

Install Burning Fireplace Inserts firewood and Optimum

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 16:55:00 +0000

Both modern and old houses have fireplaces and that is why the addition of wood burning fireplace inserts is very advantageous for you and your home. It helps increase the efficiency of your home.

Mostly they go unnoticed, but they certainly play a key role in creating a much more elegant and warm in the room. Besides the use at home usually, they can also be used in the factory built fireplace.

These houses, which are somewhat outdated may have with the modern look that can give your home. When you are looking for a solution not only less expensive than natural gas, but also something that can solve the heating needs.

Many are now blessed with the many benefits of using a fireplace insert wood fire in your home because it will push more heat into the house rather than lose it in the fireplace.

By tapping the heat in the house rather than drawing it out in the chimney, the fire burns faster and hotter to make an ideal temperature inside your house during the winter. If you intend to buy inserts in wood fireplace, be sure to keep these reminders in mind considerations such as wood quality, cost-effectiveness and reliability. There are usually five main types of this integration and are direct vent insert, vent inserts and pellet burning inserts.

By buying inserts wood fireplace, be sure to keep in mind the following considerations such as product availability in your area, the budget allocated for the installation of a fireplace and many others. If you want to maximize the use of your home especially during the winter, you'll need to install one of these devices to keep heat from escaping your chimney easier and save energy costs and your costs heating.

We provide information on all things related to fireplaces such as a propane fireplace, fireplaces and ventless fireplace blowers and many other items concerning your fireplace. Visit our website today for more information.

Why Becoming corn pellet stoves are so popular?

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:58:00 +0000

Since our environment is increasingly threatened by pollutants people beginning to assess what role they play done in correcting the damage already. Bold campaigns run in many developed countries around the world to reduce the impact of our actions on the environment. Such a campaign involves replacing the traditional oil-driven processes with environmentally friendly options using renewable energy sources. A good example is the widespread use of maize as a substitute for conventional fuel pellet stoves and ovens.

Corn pellet stoves offer an environmentally friendly way of introducing heat to a home or office. These stoves look almost identical to wood pellet stoves on the outside, but use whole kernel shelled corn as a fuel. Corn pellet stoves are available to make available in all 48 contiguous States, with only about anybody, anywhere.

As mentioned previously, the fuel for the operation of whole kernel shelled corn pellet stoves from corn, which is a renewable, reliable energy source transversely mounted by the United States. Farmers produce a constant supply of corn, as demand has grown significantly in recent years. Although a corn pellet stove is made to burn corn, most models can also burn wood waste, rice, soybeans and seeds, making it the only oven that energy can come from many sources.

A corn pellet stove needs a chimney to operate. These ovens are simply vented outdoors through a pipe running through the outer walls of the house. A blower, which is part of the mechanism, the furnace is the air outside, so that will not smoke inside the house. Corn burns clean, so that no smoke from the pipe outside.

There is a small screw or bolt, where the grain pellet feed slowly that the grain of the fire pot. The speed of the screw is adjustable to control heat output, ie the speed of the screw determines how much heat released from the oven. There is a 85 lb capacity in the funnel, where the grain is stored, so that the pellet stove can run for several hours without being refilled that.

Since the corn pellets are stirred by a metal rod into the oven, they are inflamed, which during combustion and subsequent heat their homes. The corn pellets can be ignited only as a result of the stirring motion, so that in making corn pellet stoves is a safer alternative to conventional fuels, stoves, which can ignite much more easily. When the stirring stops moving, the pellets are removed in a few seconds, once again making these stoves a very safe alternative to traditional fuel stoves and ovens.

Corn pellet stoves are quickly becoming a part of the contribution of the average man, the maintenance and repair of the environment. They are not only safer for the environment, but they are inexpensive and only requires regular maintenance, so that they are the ideal choice for heating the home.

Finding a Cheap Pellet Stove

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:20:00 +0000

Pellet stoves are expensive. They may offer a less expensive heating solution for your home, but the initial cash outlay can often be prohibitive. While it's generally true that you have to spend money to save money, a lot of people are looking for less expensive alternatives, but they don't want to sacrifice quality in order to buy a cheap pellet stove. They wonder if it's really worth paying the extra to buy an expensive one. What are the extras you get for the extra money, and is the increased value worth the extra money involved? Even more to the point, is there really such a thing as a cheap pellet stove?

Let's start with the last question first. What exactly is a cheap pellet stove? If you search for pellet stoves online, you'll find that most of them are in the price range of $1700 to $2500 and up. The cheapest new pellet stove I found was $875. Now I don't know about you, but I don't consider $875 a cheap price for anything. However, if you compare it to the other models online, I guess you could call it cheaper. You can find inexpensive models on eBay, but when you read the fine print, you'll see that they are either used or refurbished. If that isn't an issue with you, then you may be able to find a used stove for as little as $300.

So, is a more expensive stove going to do a better job of heating your home, and is it worth spending the extra money? The answer for most people is yes. For starters, the more expensive stoves are much more aesthetically pleasing than the less expensive models and blend in with your décor more nicely. They have large windows so you can sit and watch the fire burning. The high-end stoves are built to be sturdier and last longer. In addition, they have more safety and self-cleaning features than you get on the cheap pellet stoves. The better stoves have separate storage units built in where you can store extra wood, and both the pellet and ash bins are larger so that you don't have to take care of them as often.

It's pretty much up to you to decide, though, if you want to spend the additional cash to get features like these or if all you're looking for is to heat your home less expensively.

Source: www.goarticles.com | by Christopher W. Smith
Tags: pellet stoves, cheap pellet stove

Wood Stove Pads are a must with Wood Burning Stoves

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:08:00 +0000

Adding a wood stove to your home can be a great way to make your home feel cozy and warm during blustery winter weather. Wood stoves are free-standing units that can be added to any room in your house. However, most homes haven't been built with the accouterments to house a heavy accessory such as a wood stove, and they obviously don't have any provision made for a fire-resistant hearth to protect your floors and maintain safety while using a wood burner. You can, however, purchase wood stove pads in many colors, materials, and finishes which will give you the protection you need when using your wood stove.

There are some basic safety tips you need to follow when installing a wood stove.

You should never burn anything except 100% wood in your stove.
You should never install a stove directly onto a floor unless it has legs.
Never cut the legs or pedestal off of a wood-burning stove.

No matter what kind of a stove you buy, though, you need to have something on the floor in the form of a hearth for protection. How much protection you need will depend on the stove you buy and how much heat it directs towards the floor. A stove that is considered "listed" will have a shield already built into the bottom to protect the floors. With a listed stove, you can get by with as little as ¼" of tile to keep excess heat from damaging the floors.

If you have an unlisted stove or you want to make sure you provide the ultimate protection for the operation of your wood burner, you'll want to take a look at wood stove pads, either at a local home improvement or fireplace store or online. By looking online you'll be able to find dozens of different hearth pads, so there's bound to be something that will set off your stove and add to your décor. These pads are so durable and well-made that they don't come cheap, so be sure to add an extra $500 -- $700 to your budget when you purchase the stove so that you can include the pad with your purchase.

Source: www.goarticles.com | by Christopher W. Smith
Tags: wood stove, wood burning stoves

Cook Journeys From Wood Stove To Urban Bistro

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:10:00 +0000

Beverly A. Bates learned how to cook when she was 12 or 13 years old on a wood burning stove her parents purchased to cut utility costs when "people couldn’t afford to heat their home," during the energy crisis of the 1970s.

Today, the graduate of Copenhagen Central School and Jefferson Community College is the pastry chef at Ici Urban Bistro at the Sofitel hotel in Washington, D.C. Ms. Bates’s journey to one of the top restaurants in the nation’s capital was occasionally star-studded, but it started in far less glamorous circumstances.

As the second oldest of the eight children of Roger C. and Delia T. Bates of Copenhagen, Ms. Bates was quickly recruited to help her mother with the cooking.

"There was a lot of cooking to be done, especially on holidays," she said, remembering the year that she and her mother prepared an entire Thanksgiving dinner, from the turkey to the pies, using the wood-burning stove.

Then, after graduation from high school, Ms. Bates married and had a child of her own to cook for and care for. She took a two-year hiatus from pursuing her education until she enrolled at Jefferson Community College when her daughter, Jeri L. Gray, Watertown, was a toddler.

By 1986, Ms. Bates had graduated from JCC while raising a child, and set her goal to become a professional chef.

"I wanted to see how far I could push this, and take a chance when I was young enough to do it," she said.

But that had to be put on hold for a few years. In between her education at JCC and the Culinary Institute of America, where she enrolled after her daughter was in high school, Ms. Bates worked as a cook at the Riveredge Resort and the Black River Valley Club.

From there, she traveled to London, where she worked as a chef de partie, or station chef, under Gordon Ramsay’s direction. The "Hell’s Kitchen" host is known for his explosive temper in the kitchen, and Ms. Bates said his TV persona isn’t an exaggeration.

"Yes," she answered without hesitation when asked if Mr. Ramsay’s personality is as intense in person. "But working for him I learned such a huge amount just by keeping my mouth shut and ears open ... It was worth it."

After surviving Mr. Ramsay’s boot camp, Ms. Bates moved back to the United States. Since then, she has worked at ritzy restaurants in Baltimore and now Washington.

But no matter where she goes, she takes her north country roots with her. She said her heritage usually takes the form of apple crisp or cobbler.

"I’m an apple snob," she said with a laugh. "One of the things I always put on my menu is an apple crisp or apple cobbler."

And every pastry is always made from scratch.

"Sticking to the scratch method has served me really well, and it’s something I learned being up there," she said. "What’s great about that area is people still do things with their hands. ... Everybody cooks, and everybody’s mom bakes."

Ms. Bates said she’s still trying to see how far she can take her love of baking, but she plans to move back to the Watertown area someday to reconnect with family and possibly open her own pastry shop.

"I always think about where I would open a fabulous little bakery," she said.

Until then, Ms. Bates said, she will continue visiting her family twice a year, usually just in time for the annual fireworks display in Thompson Park or the Jefferson County Fair. During these visits, getting a taste of her hometown at the Crystal Restaurant, Watertown, is a must, she said.

"We always go to the Crystal," she said. "It’s comfort food. I love the building, I love the classicness of it. It’s a gem."

Source: www.watertowndailytimes.com | by Kelly Warth | Tags: wood stove, wood burning stove

Antique Gas Stove

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:30:00 +0000

The antique gas stove relates to the gas kitchen stove that was developed some time around the 1820’s. These stoves was really large and awkward to use. Most of the gas stoves was constantly on. The "always on" stoves could be utilized to heat the water for the rest of the house and to heat up the house.

The antique gas stoves did not gain popularity until about the 1880’s. This hold up was because to the gas pipeline grid being presented to each house in the large-scale cities. These natural gas stoves had various benefits over the wood stoves. With the wood stoves the entire counter top of the stove had to be heated. The utilization of the piped natural gas cut down on the effort, time and cost of finding and bringing and then storing the coal and wood into the house. Around the 1930’s, the gas stoves the coal and wood stoves two to one. That was also due of the fact of the propane gas was being presented to the homes and business sectors the cities. The propane gas stove was used for these houses and buildings.

The antique gas stoves may be restored and refinished to operational condition. There is a large option of companies located all over that provide this inspection and repair. Many companies might offer the custom coloring of porcelain and the factory direct colors. The porcelain is a higher temperature ceramic glaze. The glaze is combined upon the metal surface in a very high heated furnace. There is not another finishing that will hold up to the higher of a gas stove as well as the porcelain will. This is named the stove enamel. When refinishing, the old coating of porcelain is removed. A new porcelain coat is utilized and then baked on in the higher heat furnace. This work should not to be confused with a paint or even a powder coating. Neither of those procedures can be able to withstand the heat of the gas stove and is not to be considered as a proper finish for a stove.

There is also stove insulation and a ample amount of mechanical and electrical pieces and parts to be cleaned, replaced or repaired for the stove to function right. A business that may provide the re-chroming of the gas stove parts can in truth cause a large-scale difference on the outcome of the refinishing of the antique gas stove. Parts you may think needs to be thrown out might be brought back to a tremendous, new, shinny look of new. Gas stove parts such as the the knob rings, griddle trays,and handles might be able to be re-chromed and brought back to life.

A dependable re builder and restorer of the antique gas stove will be able to substitute the gas stove components such as the thermostats, burner values, gas stove burner, and the safety values. Numerous of the other parts would be the clocks and the timers on the stove. Along with burner grates and all sorts of different gaskets for the antique gas stove, it is essential for only a qualified business attempt to refinish a antique stove.

Source: goarticles.com | by D. Atkins | Tags: antique gas stove, gas stove

Fireplaces Recalled Due To Pilot Light Defect

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:25:00 +0000

Central Fireplace is recalling 760 Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces after seven reports of the glass doors breaking when consumers attempt to relight the pilot.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the recall involves Central Fireplace models CF3036MV-LP and CF3036MVB. The model number is located on the data plate behind the control panel door where the gas valve is located.

The defect can cause excess gas to accumulate in the firebox if the pilot light is not lit or has gone out. When consumers relight the pilot, the accumulated gas can ignite with force and shatter the glass doors, posing a serious laceration hazard. No injuries have been reported.

The defective units were sold at fireplace dealers nationwide from April 2001 through July 2007 for about $1,600.

Consumers should stop using the recalled fireplaces immediately, shut off the gas supply to the fireplace and contact Central Fireplace to arrange for a free replacement kit.

For additional information, contact Central Fireplace between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday at (800) 248-4681, or visit their website at www.centralfireplace.com.

Source: www.kake.com | Tags: fireplaces

How to Choose Corn Stoves For Your Home

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:23:00 +0000

The ancient people burned wood. They did it for thousands of years without considering whether it’s good or wrong to deplete the forest. Then people learned to use coal, oil and other fossil fuels. They did it for ages and only recently started to think about the consequences. What if our ancestors were told that it is possible to burn food without actually harming the nature? Burning food? Although it may sound terrible, shelled corn is a great bio-fuel that is cheap, easily accessible and safe for the environment.

The concept of corn stoves is quite old. The first examples were built by handy farmers themselves closer to the end of 19th century. The first heating device of such kind was allegedly the result of maize overproduction when it was discovered that dried seeds - or shelled corn - burn nicely and provide heat similar to that of wood logs. The idea became popular during the years of Great Depression.

Yet it was not before 70s of the last century when corn stoves hit the mass production. Other similar products joined - barbecues and water boilers.

The main perk of using such heating devices is obviously money saving. You will spend on average $3,000 to $3,300 each season burning fossil fuel oil and only $1,500 to $2,300 burning shelled corn. Another benefit, which is not less important, corn stoves are sources of pure green energy. Maize is grown on fields, it helps filtering the air naturally, plus maize seeds doesn’t produce carbon monoxide and nitrous compounds when burnt.

How to Choose Corn Stoves?

There are corn stoves, water boilers and barbecues or grills available for sale. The first is used to provide heating for home during the winter season. Water boilers are used to produce hot water or even to be incorporated into the central heating system of a home. Corn Grill is a good way to start your own green energy campaign by test-driving maize kernel energy. It is a great alternative to the conventional grills that burn wood, coal or even consume electricity. Your friends will love to come to your open-air parties.

Corn Stoves Checklist :

Start with measuring your house’s square footage or cubic footage. You will need this number when approaching your dealer. Too small a stove will make you freeze while an enormously big one can waste your money and overheat your home.

Choose a dealer carefully. See if you can find a neighbor or relative who has already used similar heating equipment and ask for a feedback.

If you choose to buy your stove from an online shop or eBay, you are likely to save money but be careful. Consult the dealer before you pay the money. Is he going to provide you with after-sales support, can he provide instructions on installing, or maybe he even installs it for free.

Check if you are able to source cheap shelled corn in your neighborhood and that you are capable of storing kernel properly. It takes a dry and clean room to store it; you cannot afford the dampness to spoil your burning agent.

Make sure that the features of the device are explained to you - there are several types of heating devices - some can use mixed source of energy that also includes wood pellets, some can strictly not.

Check the feed system. How often will it be necessary to fill more maize into the hopper? How long can device burn unattended before feeding new portion in?

Does it have any warranty? It is extremely important, especially if something goes wrong.

If you are ready to advance into the new environmentally friendly technology, a green energy heater will be a great purchase for you. Although it can be quite expensive (prices range from $500 to $3,000) you’ll save money on fuel, help protecting the environment and show good will to your community.

Source: goarticles.com | By. Terence Green | Tags: corn stoves

Information About Stoves

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Before stoves for cooking came into use in the home, food was cooked in open fireplaces. Even when wood was the only fuel known, a stove for burning it, called the Franklin stove, was invented by Benjamin Franklin, but not until coal came into use as fuel were iron stoves made. For a long time stoves were used mainly for heating purposes, as many housewives preferred to cook at the open fireplace. However, this method of cooking has practically disappeared and a stove of some kind is in use for cooking in every home.

For each fuel in common use there are many specially constructed stoves, each having some advantageous feature; yet all stoves constructed for the same fuel are practically the same in principle. In order that fuel will burn and produce heat, it must have air, because fuel, whether it is wood, coal, or gas, is composed largely of carbon and air largely of oxygen, and it is the rapid union of these two chemical elements that produces heat. Therefore, in order that each stove may work properly, some way in which to furnish air for the fire in the firebox must be provided. For this reason, every stove for cooking contains passageways for air and is connected with a chimney, which contains a flue, or passage, that leads to the outer air.

When the air in a stove becomes heated, it rises, and as it ascends cold air rushes through the passageways of the stove to take its place. It is the flue, however, that permits of the necessary draft and carries off unburned gases. At times it is necessary to regulate the amount of air that enters, and in order that this may be done each stove is provided with dampers. These devices are located in the air passages and they are so designed as to close off the air or allow the desired amount to enter. By means of these dampers it is possible also to force the heat around the stove oven, against the top of the stove, or up the chimney flue. A knowledge of the ways in which to manipulate these dampers is absolutely necessary if correct results are to be obtained from a stove. The flue, however, should receive due consideration. If a stove is to give its best service, the flue, in addition to being well constructed, should be free from obstructions and kept in good condition. Indeed, the stove is often blamed for doing unsatisfactory work when the fault is really with the flue.

Probably one of the most important things considered in the construction of stoves is the economizing of fuel, for ever since the days of the fireplace there has been more or less of a tendency to save fuel for cooking, and as the various kinds grow scarcer, and consequently more expensive, the economical use of fuel becomes a necessity. While most stoves for cooking purposes are so constructed as to save fuel, many of them do not, especially if the method of caring for them is not understood. Any housewife, however, can economize in the use of fuel if she will learn how the stove she has must be operated; and this can be done by following closely the directions that come with the stove when it is purchased. Such directions are the best to follow, because they have been worked out by the manufacturer, who understands the right way in which his product should be operated.

Source: goarticles.com | By. Jennifer Skipp | Tags: wood stove, stoves

How To Maintain A Fireplace Properly

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:35:00 +0000

When winter winds blow, a crackling fire in your well-maintained fireplace is a cheerful sight.

Here are tips to keep your fireplace and chimney in good working order Pre-Season Checkup :

Inspect the inside of your fireplace with a flashlight for loose bricks or gaps in the mortar. Check the outside of the chimney also If it passes through the house, inspect it wherever it’s visible - usually in the attic. Repair any defects

With the damper open, you should be able to look up the chimney and see daylight. If you can’t, there may be an obstruction such as a birds’ nest that needs to be removed.

Have the chimney cleaned once a year more often if you use it frequently or if you burn softwood Creosote, a sticky black residue created by burning wood, is carried by the smoke and deposited in the chimney. It reduces the ability of the flue to draw off smoke Because it is flammable, it can also cause a chimney fire. Call a professional chimney sweep to clean your chimney.

Make sure a fireplace is equipped with end irons or a grate to permit air to flow beneath the blaze, and a screen or glass doors to contain sparks.

Check the damper. This is the movable plate in the top of the fireplace that’s kept open when a fire is burning; it’s kept closed when there is no fire to minimize loss of room heat If it’s stiff, spray its hinge or pivot points with a silicone lubricant and work the handle until it moves freely. If it doesn’t close completely, use a putty knife to remove deposits around it.

If there are still gaps when it’s shut, fill the spaces with furnace cement.

Keep It Clean

Before you start the first fire of the season, clean the walls of the firebox with a dry bristle brush or the dusting attachment of the vacuum cleaner (Be sure to wash and dry the attachment before using it on any other surface.) To remove heavy soot and grime, shave two 6′/2-ounce bars of naphtha soap into a Dutch oven or stockpot. Pour in 3 quarts of hot water and heat until the soap dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool. Then stir in 0.5 pounds of powdered pumice and 1.5 cups of household ammonia until the mixture is thoroughly combined. Brush the cleaner on with a paintbrush and let it stand about an hour Then scrub off the mixture with a stiff brush and soap or liquid detertent. Rinse with a sponge and clear water.
Remove ashes as soon as they’re cold to prevent them from being spread throughout the rest of the house One way to keep dust from rising is to sprinkle moist, tea leaves over the ashes Then, with the damper closed, gently sweep up as much as possible into a dustpan. To make the job easier, spread aluminum foil beneath the grate, when the ashes are cold, gather up the foil and discard it.
Clean the fireplace and hearth at least once a week during the months that you use it. Vacuum or brush up ashes, then wipe down the hearth with a damp cloth or sponge To make your slate hearth gleam, wash and dry it and then coat it with lemon oil every six weeks or so.

Source: www.a-apure.com | Tags: fireplace, maintain fireplace

Wood Burning Stove Causes Irvin Road Fire

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:11:00 +0000

Quick work by Chattanooga firefighters saved a house from serious damage this afternoon, officials said.

The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 1:34 p.m. and responded to 5024 Irvin Road with several fire companies.

DaQuida Stoudemire said her uncle had recently filled a wood burning stove when the house started filling up with smoke, said Bruce Garner, fire department spokesman.

The uncle discovered that there was a fire in the wall behind the stove and he tried to put the fire out with pans of water, but was unsuccessful. In the meantime, Ms. Stoudemire called 911 to get help.

Battalion Chief Mike Knox said the firefighters were able to contain the fire damage to the area around the wood burning stove and the chimney. The rest of the house was smoked up, but saved from serious damage, Mr. Garner said.

Source: timesfreepress.com | Tags: wood burning stove, wood stove

Wood Burning Fireplace Inserts - A Great Way To Enjoy Indoor Warmth

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:03:00 +0000

If you really want to enjoy warmth indoors this winters, it is recommended for you to opt for wood burning fireplace inserts. These are wooden stoves especially designed in a fashion to compliment conventional fireplaces in the open

The EPA certifies the wood burning fireplace inserts and this makes them burn clean and extremely efficient in nature.

The major benefit of having wood burning fireplace inserts is that these can fit into any type of décor. These also tend to provide a sophisticated environment to your home without the requirement to disturb the whole setting of any of the rooms.

The Wood burning fireplace inserts can also enhance the whole look or décor of your existing wood burning fireplace. With wood burning fireplace inserts, you can even enhance the efficiency of any fireplace to a maximum amount via a fireplace insert addition. Most people are tired of their inefficient fireplace.

However, now you can easily install wood burning fireplace inserts and turn the inefficient place into a supplemental area heater that is also very easy to use. This will also help you a lot in controlling the bills coming due to high home heating.

The best part is that wood burning fireplace inserts let you enjoy cleaner air quality during winter season.

If you are convinced to purchase wood burning fireplace inserts, here are some tips to purchase the best:

Visit stores: The wood burning fireplace inserts are known to provide the best and warm environment to home. Hence, it is very important to purchase it from a reputed store dealer. This will make sure that you get the best quality at an affordable price. Make sure you visit many stores prior to purchasing one of these inserts. Do not purchase it from the first store you come across.

Online options: If you want to purchase wood burning fireplace inserts, you can visit the World Wide Web in order to find the best of these. Make sure you find an authentic dealer and compare the services and prices of various online vendors.

Installation process: It is very important to discuss the process of installation when purchasing wood burning fireplace inserts from any dealer. This will give you an idea on whether it is a do-it-yourselfer or require appointing a professional for the installation process.

Materials: You need to ask for complete materials when purchasing wood burning fireplace inserts. This will let you know whether what you are paying includes all the essential raw materials.

Wood burning fireplace inserts are very environment friendly and hazard free. Hence, it is a prudent decision to invest in one if you want to get something that provides you warmth, enjoyment and environmental friendly.

With the ever-increasing risk of global warming, you must invest in wood burning fireplace inserts.

By. David Karlson | Tags: wood burning fireplace inserts, wood burning, fireplace inserts

Whitfield Pellet Stoves

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 17:08:00 +0000

Whitfield Pellet Stoves are a part of the Lennox International which has been established since 1895, Lennox Hearth products was established in 1996 and are located in Orange, CA. They have many Hearth Products ranging from fireplaces, fireplace inserts, stoves and log sets.

If your home has an existing masonry or metal fireplace, there are easy and attractive ways t- spark new life int- it. Wood-, gas- and pellet-burning fireplace inserts from Lennox Hearth Products fit int- almost any traditional fireplace opening t- instantly transform it int- a warm and entertaining centerpiece.

Whitfield Products can be broken down int0 Pellet Burning Insert's and Pellet Stoves Inserts

* Profile INS -Attractive bay window design and FastFire™ self-igniter deliver a decorative, easy-to-use and efficient heating choice.

- Heating Capacity 800-1,900sq. ft.
- 33 Pellet Vent

* Winslow - Powerful, efficient pellet heating and customizable style options combine t- create ideal warmth and timeless beauty.

- Heating Capacity 900-2,000 sq. ft.
- 33 Pellet Vent

Pellet Stoves

* Winslow- Powerful, fully automatic pellet heating, advanced technical features and customizable style options combine t- create reliable warmth and timeless beauty.

- Heating Capacity 900-2,000 sq. ft.
- 33 Pellet Vent

* Montage - Dependable comfort, customizable options and economic burning make this stove a requirement for cozy heating.

- Heating Capacity 800-1,900 sq. ft.
- 33 Pellet Vent

* Cascade - Classic styling and convenience features are matched with affordable high-efficiency heating for charm and warmth.

- Heating Capacity 500-1,500 sq. ft.
- 33 Pellet Vent

* Profile -Bay-view stove features FastFire™ ignition, high-efficiency combustion and exceptional fuel capacity.

- Heating Capacity 800-1,900 sq. ft.
- 33 Pellet Vent

* T300P-2 -Traditional cast-iron stove delivers modern heating technology and a variety of convenience features and color options.

- Heating Capacity 800-1,900 sq. ft.
- 33 Pellet Vent

Source : Ezinearticles | By Simon Hemmings | Tags : Pellet Stoves, Fireplaces

Insert Pellet Stoves - Free Standing and Fireplace

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 17:04:00 +0000

With prices of oil and gas skyrocketing every week it seems, heating bills are expected to increase by twenty-seven percent this winter and those who use natural gas can expect a forty-one percent increase. This has a lot of homeowners looking for ways to decrease their dependency on oil and gas.

If you're looking for the heat and nice look that a wood stove can provide, then you're going to find the pellet stove to be a very sophisticated heating appliance. These stoves look very similar to your traditional wood stove or fireplace insert and they work in a similar manner as well. Plus you get a similar flame burning effect as well.

Freestanding and fireplace insert pellet stoves produce a small fire, although you can get some with different flame patterns so that it looks more like a real fire. You can also get ceramic logs, similar to those used in gas fireplaces, to help to disperse the flames as well.

The main disadvantage to the free standing and fireplace insert pellet stoves is that they have moving parts and motors that may require some maintenance. It is a good idea to select a model that allows you to easily access these parts should they need repair. It is also a good idea to regularly maintain these parts.

You have two options when it comes to free standing and fireplace insert pellet stoves. You may select either bottom fed or top fed pellet stoves. A top fed stove has a hopper that delivers the pellets to the fire. The manufacturers of top fed pellet stoves suggest that you use low-ash, high grade pellets so as not to impede the moving parts with ash or "clinkers." The bottom fed models don't require high-grade pellets because the ash is pushed to an ash pan. Of course, the ash pan has to be cleaned weekly if you're using the stove regularly. It is also a good idea to look for a stove that has a large ash pan that is easy to remove and replace.

The motors on both of these units require electricity. This means that you will need to have the stove plug into a 110-volt outlet. You may also opt for a gas-power generator should your electricity goes out. This will keep you from losing your heat as well.

Both types of pellet stoves are measured in terms of heat output range. Most will range from 8,000 BTUs to 90,000 BTUs. You will want to work with a dealer who is knowledgeable about the heat distribution of these stoves in order to choose the one that is right for your home or the room you are heating.

There are a variety of different pellet stove options for you to choose from and they range in price from $1,700 to $3,000 plus the cost of installation. You will also have to have a chimney installed in your home if you do not have one already. The fireplace insert pellet stoves are convenient as they can be slipped into your existing fireplace. Additionally, both are convenient because the pellets are simply poured into the hopper and you don't have to worry about stacking and carrying around messy firewood.

Source : Ezinearticles | By Christopher Brown | Tags : pellet stoves, wood stove, fireplace

Service Your Wood Burning Unit for Safety

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 16:12:00 +0000

As an owner of a wood burning unit, you owe it to yourself to check its function often to ensure your home is safe from fire hazards. First you should examine the wood stove and chimney flues. From your roof, look for any damage or blockages (use a flashlight). Be sure and examine the stovepipes for any creosote build-up. If there is any, get the chimney and stove cleaned by a professional.

In addition, when you burn, only burn seasoned wood; two-year-old wood is a good guideline. Another huge safety point is to keep all combustible materials away from the unit to avoid igniting them. Children should be taught to avoid the stove to prevent burns--ensure that unsupervised children and pets are both kept away from the wood burning unit at all times.

Lastly, you will want to keep a fire extinguisher close to the wood burning stove check the date on it occasionally and also on smoke detectors in the area. Much damage from fire/smoke can be prevented by smoke alarm checks done on a regular basis. Keep extra batteries on hand and you will be able to change them without much hassle.

Yearly maintenance can keep many problems from arising with your wood burning stove so be aware of these safety tips/checks. You can do cleaning and inspecting of wood stoves along with your other home checks each season. Cleaning and inspecting a wood burner takes very little time and once you perform these services, you will become familiar with what to look for. If you are more comfortable, call a heating specialist.

Founded in 1990, Affordable Insurance Service Agency, LLC. is a leader in providing quality protection for hundreds of individuals, families, and businesses throughout Michigan and Wisconsin. Providing superior customer service and low rates along with our ability to understand our customer's coverage needs drives the success of our agency.

Check us out on the web at http://www.myaffordable.com or stop in and see us at 1205 10th Avenue

Source : Ezinearticles | By Mike Fluke | Tags : wood stove, wood burning stove, stoves

Wood Burning Stoves

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 17:41:00 +0000

Americans may be shifting from oil heaters to wood burning stoves to help make ends meet, but the type of stove they choose can have a big impact on their health, not just the environment.

Your article should have stressed that pellet stoves pose lower health risks because they burn more efficiently and cleanly.

Scientific studies show that wood smoke contains dozens of toxic chemicals that are linked to heart attacks, cancer, lung disease and other serious health problems. Children’s lungs are especially vulnerable. That’s why many states and counties have emissions standards for burning wood and restrict burning it on poor air quality days.

Although wood is a renewable energy source, wood stoves produce black soot that contributes to global warming. Using wood burning stoves instead of an oil heater may nominally reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but it may in turn increase our dependence on inhalers and other medical care.

By: John M. Balbus - The writer, a medical doctor, is chief health scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund.

Source : www.nytimes.com | Tags : wood burning stoves, wood stoves

Grass Pellet Stoves

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:16:00 +0000

Unfortunately, the grass pellet stoves are inexistent in the world right now. Grass pellets are said to leave a high ash content after the burning process, which obstructs the stove inside the wood and pellet stoves corn. The world is still a bit behind in this new biofuel, which means that the technology is still behind. Experiments are under way, but funding is a problem and could very well be the only problem for many years. Nothing on the grass pellets is poor; we just need the right people who control the money to open their eyes to this renewable energy resource.

Grass manufacturers Pellet Stove

As I said, the technology has not accelerated across the grass pellet theory. Currently, there are no manufacturers that specifically design and create stoves can handle grass pellets. There are some that stoves have proved to work well enough to make this process go smoother. Bixby MaxFire energy stove corn, maize and Harman Stove CountryFlames "stove maize have all been used in tests of burning grass successfully. The problem with grass pellets is the ash left behind. Stove wood pellets are not able to manage these pellets. The parties are clogged and it is proving to be more work keeping them clean and usable. Corn stoves on the other hand were originally designed to handle a high ash, if they became a natural choice during testing.

Cornell University

If someone is going to change things with grass pellets, is the researchers at Cornell University. They are in fact those doing research with different stoves available on the market, testing and decide which would be better suited to this new fuel. Professor Jerry Cherney, a forage specialist, said: "It is not cool biotechnology and nanotechnology, and does not have a political lobby to support its drive to find the necessary funding to this practice on the production or the other end (where granulation devices are needed) or on the consumption end (if applicable, stoves or other burners are needed).

As time passes and studies continue to show how the grass pellets can be reliable, funding to produce this technology is available. It’s just a game until that date.

Thinking of having a pellet stove grass or already have one? Learn more about grass pellet fuel to heat your stove pellets grass.

Tags: Grass Pellet Stoves

Help Offered to Replace Wood Stoves

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:25:00 +0000

A state agency is pouring $160,000 into a program that helps people in Marysville, Darrington and Everett replace old wood stoves with new heating devices.

The program, launched Monday by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, gives people incentive rebates between $750 and $3,000 to get rid of uncertified wood stoves made before 1990. The program can also be used to replace wood-burning fireplace inserts, wood-burning furnaces and coal-burning stoves and inserts.

Those old heating devices cause air pollution, and can cause and aggravate health problems such as runny noses, bronchitis and asthma attacks.

"People need to be more aware of the environment," said Marilyn Bradt of Marysville.

Bradt used the program in late 2007 to replace an old wood stove with a gas insert. The stove used to leave sticky residue on drapes and aggravate her son’s asthma.

"Since we had the gas insert, we haven’t been sick," said Bradt, a Granite Falls Middle School teacher.

The program aims to keep Marysville and Darrington from violating federal air quality health standards, said Amy Warren, a spokeswoman for the clean air agency. The current program will continue until April 30, 2009, or until the money runs out.

"If they have an uncertified wood stove or if they think they do, the first thing they need to do is apply for the program," Warren said.

This year, the program allocates a $110,000 state grant for Marysville. Darrington gets $30,000 from penalties paid by businesses that violated clean-air rules. Everett gets $20,000 from a settlement between the state Department of Ecology and Kimberly-Clark Corp.

When the program was first offered in Marysville from November 2007 to April 2008, Donald Gray jumped on it. An ancient wood stove had been sitting in his home for a few years after its smoke damaged the home’s chimney.

Gray, 61, said replacing the stove with a new propane stove cost him about $2,750, including a $750 rebate from the clean air agency. He said he couldn’t afford it without the rebate.

"You don’t haul wood," the Marysville man said. "You don’t pay for wood. It’s cleaner air. It doesn’t smoke out neighbors."

Air quality tends to be bad in parts of Marysville in wintertime, especially its old downtown area along Third Street, said Doug Buell, a spokesman for the city. The area is surrounded by foothills just north of the Snohomish River; it also has old homes with old wood stoves.

The city of Marysville and Snohomish County PUD are teaming up with the clean air agency to promote the program, Buell said.

"We want a healthier environment for people to breathe easily," he said.

How to apply for a rebate?

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is offering its latest wood stove replacement program in Marysville, Darrington and Everett. The program’s rebates help people replace old uncertified wood stoves with new heating devices. Those with low incomes can get rebates of $2,800 to $3,000; others can get $750 or $1,500.

Details and an application can be found at www.pscleanair.org/woodstove.replacement or call 888-859-5799.

Source: HeraldNet | By. Yoshiaki Nohara | Tag : Wood Stoves

The Benefits Of Fake Fireplaces | Safety in Using a Wood Heater | Antique Wood Cook Stove - Uses and Advantages | How to Install a Wood Stove | Woodburning Technologies

Wood Pellet, Stove Plants Planned In Northern NH

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:06:00 +0000

WHITEFIELD, N.H.-The owner of a company that makes environmentally friendly water treatment systems is planning to build plants to make wood pellets and pellet stoves in northern New Hampshire.

David Presby, who owns Presby Environmental, is hoping to build at the Whitefield Industrial Park. He said he wants to reduce home heating costs, while creating jobs and helping the North Country economy.

Presby hopes to have both plants running by next May, employing 40 people.

Another company, Greenova L.L.C., has received conditional site plan approval to build a wood pellet plant in Berlin.

Source : boston.com | Tags : Pellet stoves, wood pellets

The True Cost Of Pellet Stoves | Interest In Pellet Stoves Soaring | Pellet Stove - Part I | Pellet Stove - Part II | Corn, Wood Pellet Stoves Nearly Identical

The True Cost Of Pellet Stoves

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:21:00 +0000

Richard Connolly of Weymouth replaced his pellet stoves with a high-efficiency electric heating unit. He says his heating expenses have been lower since the switch.

WEYMOUTH - Despite all these years, the resentment still hangs in the air like heavy smoke. Each day during the heating season, my children were required to bring into the house eight pieces of wood for the Jotul stove in the living room. My daughter picked the pile for the smallest pieces, while my son groaned and complained about the unfairness of it all. My noting that they did not have to milk the cows before their five-mile trek to school in a raging snowstorm brought no comfort.

Neither would ever forgive my wife and I for sentencing them to wood duty and practically robbing them of their childhood. Adults now with young families, they keep their houses warmer in the winter than ours.

After 17 years of burning wood, we purchased two Whitfield pellet stoves in 1993. We installed one in the living room and the other in the fireplace in our family room. Gone was the injustice, hard labor on the woodpile, and ash dust. The initial cost of $4,500 was offset $400 by selling the Jotul and another wood burner in the family room.

The complaining, for the most part, disappeared, too. My wife and daughter had neither the strength to lift a 40-pound bag of pellets nor interest in cleaning the stoves. Those responsibilities fell to my son and me. He had become more cooperative, his calling himself Stove Boy notwithstanding.

Everyone loved the pellet stoves. Compared to the Jotul, they were clean and provided a steady flow of warm air to our 2,300-square-foot, all-electric garrison colonial. The temperature was regulated by changing the rate of flow from 1 to 5.

Rarely did we run the living room stove on a setting higher than 1 because the heat would have been oppressive. Because the heat was constant and rose, it made no sense to seal the upstairs bedrooms.

We used the fireplace insert whenever the outside temperature dropped into the teens. A paddle fan there helped to move the heat into the adjoining kitchen.

Relatives and friends marveled at the stoves’ simplicity and attractiveness. My daughter-in-law, a genuine house cat, headed straight for the living room stove when visiting. She enjoyed curling in a comfortable, stuffed chair nearby, wine glass in hand, as the warm air blew gently in her direction.

Our grandsons excitedly held their spinners to the blowers and asked us to turn up their speed. Unlike the Jotul, we were not worried about burn accidents because the surface of the Whitfield, except for the door, is warm to the touch.

The cost to operate the stoves during the 2006-07 heating season - not including electricity - was approximately $900 for pellets and $300 for servicing. The labor for stove boy or me to haul three tons of pellets into the house and feed and clean the stoves was free.

Two years ago, my wife and I installed a $4,050 electrical heating system to replace the original, which had been used only the first few years after we built the house in 1973. The heating bills back then were confiscatory, and we were deeply worried about losing our home.

For reasons I cannot explain, we did not use the new system the first year and continued with the pellets. Undoubtedly, it had something to do with the terror of those electrical bills in the days before the Jotul.

My son was baffled. “Why not run the new heat for only a month and compare the cost to last year?” he challenged. “What’s the worst thing that could happen?”

“I’ll waste several hundred dollars,” I countered.

“How do you know?” he pressed.

Good point, so I did.

When the first electric bill arrived, I opened it more with curiosity than dread because it covered September, which is not a high demand month for heat. The cost was $54.69 less than the previous year and included 31 reading days versus 30.

Nice, but not proof. Even so, I made the humble pie call to my son.

October’s bill was similar, $64.41 less for the same number of days. Nicer still, but unpersuasive. November, however, showed a leap of $143.16, but that was still insufficient for me to get an electro-cardiogram.

A month later, the red flag on my mailbox was up and my heart rate, too, as I reached for December’s bill, wondering if my wife and I had planned well enough for retirement. I was shocked, but not for reasons I had expected. The bill was $9.48 more than the previous year, although it included three fewer reading days.

By February’s bill, the trend was clear: we were saving money - eventually more than $1,000 - by not operating the pellet stoves. After 30 years of using an alternative heating system, we had come full cycle. How could it be?

Well, for one thing the new heating system was, indeed, efficient. The key, however, was control over its output, which programmable thermostats on the first floor accomplished. Their settings were the same for the week: 68 degrees from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and 55 degrees thereafter.

Whenever my wife or I were not home, we set the thermostats to 55 degrees. The upstairs bedrooms have individual thermostats and were unheated unless occupied.

What happened to the pellet stoves? An ad fetched $1,400 and more than 70 responses. 1/2 And everyone is enchanted by the prospect of a crackling fire in the re-commissioned fireplace with glass doors.

We love the new heating system, especially its comfort, cost and convenience. Relatives and friends do, too, although my son quipped one night, “It’s getting late. Time to go home before the heat turns off.”

Richard Connolly is a former construction consultant and the author of “How To Avoid Building and Remodeling Hell” and the novel, “The Independent Contractor.” He lives in Weymouth.

Source : Patriotledger.com, By. Richard Connolly

Tags : Stoves, Pellet Stoves

Pellet Stoves Are Cost Effective | What is a Pellet Stove? | Pellet Stoves Are Very Economical Source Of Heat | The Benefits of Wood Pellet Stoves | What Are The Prices On Pellet Stoves?

Interest In Pellet Stoves Soaring

feri.madao@gmail.com (Feri) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:03:00 +0000

The prospect of record-high winter heating bills is spurring interest in wood pellet stoves.

The stoves burn small pellets of packed sawdust that are made from waste materials collected at lumber mills, or materials that otherwise would end up in landfills.

More than 800,000 homes in the United States use wood pellets fot heat, according to the Pellet Fuels Institute.

"We’ve seen an increase in demand for the past three to four years," said Adam Ness, an owner of Sally’s Hearth and Home in Pataskala. "Business has been way up since June."

Way up is an understatement. Sales of pellet stoves and pellet inserts nationally were up 212 percent during the second quarter of this year, compared with the same period in 2007, said Deidra Darsa, communications manager of the Pellet Fuels Institute.

The estimated cost to heat a home this winter with heating oil will be up 45 percent to $2,858, natural gas will be up 43 percent to $1,216 and electricity will be up 9 percent to $929, said Darsa, citing a report from the federal Energy Information Administration.

Rural Ohio residents are the most likely to benefit from a switch to an alternative heating source because they are more likely to rely on heating oil and propane for heat.

Some are using the stoves as their primary heating source, while others are using the device as a supplement to reduce their current heating bills.

"Done properly, it can take over heating about 80 percent of your home," Ness said.

Most of Ness’ customers plan on using the pellet stove to take over for their gas or electric furnace.

"Close to 85 percent of people are taking that unit and using it as the primary heat source for their home," he said.

Galena resident Tim Loudermilk has been using a pellet stove for two years to heat his 2,700-square-foot home, rather than running off of his propane tank.

Loudermilk said he has used about $200 of propane in two years, never using a full tank, and instead relies on the pellet stove.

His cost for five tons of pellets for this winter was about $1,000, an estimated savings of $1,500 to $2,000 over the use of propane.

But a homeowner should not expect to start saving money immediately and should consider the drawbacks before buying a pellet stove.

Generally, it will take 18 to 48 months to see the return on the investment for a pellet stove, Ness said. It depends largely on what type of heating system a home already has and the type of stove purchased.

The upfront cost can be a barrier. Ness says units typically cost between $1,600 and $3,800, and Darsa priced the units at between $3,500 and $4,000 before installation.

For people looking for something basic and economical, the cost of a stove plus installation would be about $3,000, Ness said.

Another drawback is that many stoves require a fair amount of attention.

"Like with anything alternative, there is always going to be a trade-off," Ness said. "One of the trade-offs is it’s going to take some of your time because it’s not going to be as convenient."

Not including installation of the stove and a ventilation system, the consumer is responsible for lighting, reloading and storing fuel and disposing of waste.

Automatic pellet stoves are available, but they cost more initially. Purchasing a generator might be necessary because most stoves run on a small amount of electricity.

A 40-pound bag of pellets costs $4.50 to $5, and the average person will use about 3 to 4 tons of pellets during the winter, Ness said.

That is an average150 to 200 bags of pellets, at an estimated $675 to $1,000.

Over the long term, for those who have the room and the time, a pellet stove could substantially reduce heating costs, especially if the price of natural gas continues to rise.

"Down the road, if these estimates are correct, we’ll be able to heat our home for about $2,000 less than heating it with propane," said Jim McLain, a Plain City resident.

Some homeowners use wood pellet stoves in conjunction with their main heating source to help reduce bills in winter. Savings can range in the thousands of dollars.

Source : Columbusdispatch.com | By Braden Lammers | Tag: Pellet Stoves

Pellet Stove - Part I | Pellet Stove - Part II | What Are The Prices On Pellet Stoves? | The Benefits of Wood Pellet Stoves | Pellet Stove A Good Option