What Is a Pellet Stove?

A pellet stove is a heating appliance that burns compressed wood or biomass pellets to create heat. Unlike traditional wood stoves, many pellet stoves operate more like a modern furnace, with automated fuel feeding systems and thermostatic controls. They offer a clean-burning alternative to older wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, producing very little ash or emissions.

Pellet stoves can be freestanding units or inserts that fit into fireplaces. They’re designed to provide supplemental heat or, in some cases, serve as the primary heat source for a home. With their ability to burn renewable fuel efficiently, pellet stoves are an attractive option for environmentally conscious homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint and heating costs.

Components of a Pellet Stove

A pellet stove has several parts that work together to produce and distribute heat, including the following:

• Hopper: Stores the pellet fuel
• Burn pot: Where combustion occurs
• Auger: Automatically feeds pellets from the hopper to the burn pot
• Heat exchanger: Transfers heat from the fire to the room
• Convection fan: Circulates warm air into the living space
• Exhaust fan: Expels combustion gases and draws in fresh air
• Ash pan: Collects remains of unburnt pellets
• Control board: Manages the stove’s operations and temperature

To operate the pellet stove, you fill the hopper with pellets and set the desired temperature on the built-in thermostat. The auger, controlled by a circuit board, deposits pellets into the burn pot. A combustion fan draws in outside air and ignites the pellets, creating a high-temperature fire.

As the pellets burn, the heat exchanger captures the warmth, and a convection fan circulates this heated air into your living space. The exhaust fan simultaneously expels combustion gases through a vent pipe for efficient and clean burning. This process continues automatically to maintain your desired temperature.

Types of Pellet Stoves

Pellet stoves come in two main types: freestanding models and inserts. Each type has its pros and cons, catering to different home layouts and heating needs.

Pellet Stove Inserts

Pellet stove inserts are designed to fit into fireplaces. They’re an excellent option for homeowners who want to retain the look of their fireplace while significantly improving its heating efficiency.

Inserts like the Harman P35i model ($3,100) in the photo below can be fitted with a metal surround to match your hearth’s dimensions. While they may have a lower heating capacity than freestanding models, inserts are perfect for heating small or large rooms.

Freestanding Pellet Stoves

Freestanding pellet stoves are self-contained units that can be placed anywhere in your home. They offer flexibility and are ideal for open floor plans or rooms without existing fireplaces. These stoves typically have a larger heating capacity than inserts and can often heat multiple rooms or even an entire small home.

Freestanding models, such as the Harman XXV below ($5,240), can usually be placed 1 to 3 inches from the back wall and 6 to 7 inches from the sidewalls, making them suitable for tight spaces. They come in various styles to complement different interior designs, from traditional to contemporary.

Benefits of Pellet Stoves

Pellet stoves offer several advantages that make them an attractive heating option for many homeowners. First, they offer impressive energy efficiency – much more than a traditional wood-burning fireplace, according to the EPA. This high efficiency is due to the stove’s controlled combustion process and the dense, low-moisture content of the pellet fuel.

Environmental Impact

The pellets used by pellet stoves are typically made from compressed sawdust and other wood waste products, making them a renewable resource. When burned, pellets produce very little smoke and minimal ash, resulting in lower emissions compared to traditional wood stoves.

The high-temperature combustion in pellet stoves also means they create no vent-clogging creosote, a common issue with wood-burning appliances. This clean-burning process helps maintain both indoor and outdoor air quality.

Cost-Effectiveness

While pellet stove installation costs between $1,015–$3,594, according to Angi, the long-term savings can be significant. In many cases, pellet stoves can pay for themselves within a few years through reduced heating costs, especially when compared to electric or oil heating.

Drawbacks of Pellet Stoves

While pellet stoves offer many benefits, they also come with some drawbacks. Understanding these limitations can help you make an informed decision about whether a pellet stove is the right choice for your home.

Electricity Dependency

Unlike traditional wood stoves, pellet stoves need electricity to operate. This dependency means that during a power outage, your pellet stove won’t function unless you have a backup power source.

For homes in areas prone to frequent power outages, this can be a significant concern. Some manufacturers offer battery backup systems to address this issue, but it’s an additional expense to consider.

Maintenance Requirements

While pellet stoves generally require less frequent cleaning than wood stoves, they do need regular maintenance to operate efficiently, including the following:

• Daily: Checking the burn pot for clinkers (fused ash chunks)
• Weekly: Emptying the ash pan and cleaning the burn pot
• Monthly: Cleaning the heat exchanger and checking the door gasket
• Annually: Professional inspection and cleaning of the venting system

Neglecting these tasks can lead to reduced efficiency and potential malfunctions.

Fuel Storage Considerations

Pellet fuel requires proper storage to maintain its quality and efficiency. Unlike firewood, which can be stored outside, pellets must be kept in a dry, indoor location to prevent moisture absorption. This can be challenging for homeowners with limited storage space or living in humid climates.

A typical pellet stove might use 1-3 tons of pellets per heating season, depending on usage and climate. Storing this amount of fuel requires significant space, which may not be available in all homes. The need to regularly purchase and transport 40-pound bags of pellets could also be inconvenient for some homeowners.