Could Installing a Pellet Stove Take the Edge Off Energy Bills?
One reader writes: I’m thinking of buying a pellet stove to heat my small, three-bedroom ranch. If I put the stove in the basement, would I have to cut vents in the first floor to circulate heat through the house? I love the smell of wood stoves and don’t mind the work. But they’re dirty and dusty. Are pellet stoves that much cleaner, and are they any less expensive? Who wouldn’t like lower heating bills? Both pellets and seasoned hardwood provide more heat per dollar than natural gas, propane, or heating oil, and they may look even better when prices for fossil fuels begin to climb again. Plus, compressed wood pellets burn cleanly and are more convenient than firewood. As long as you’re willing to accept the work that goes with owning a stove you should be able to save money in the long run. But be prepared for a hefty initial investment. New stoves aren’t cheap. Of the two, pellets are easier to handle, more convenient, and they produce less ash as they burn. Pellets are made from co
