Pellet Stoves, Which to start with?

[sweettractors]

With Propane and electric being so high locally, I am thinking of adding new pellet stoves to our product line. The local market has 0 knowledge about them. The sale price would need to be low cost driven because of the poor economy. So I would be interested in what you guys have to say about brands and basic starter type machines and pricing. Ken Sweet

 

[beenthere]

Ken
If the local market knows zero, what is the supply of pellets like? Also zero, or waiting for stoves?

Around here, the pellet stoves seem to be a fad...they buy them and use them for a winter or two then seem to become disenchanted for reasons I'm not sure.
Often complaints are maintenance, and supply of pellets. As to supply of pellets, they come in many qualities. Some have a lot of dirt that doesn't burn but adds a lot of ash. Getting known quality of pellet seems to be a mystery.

Some stoves burn corn. Might be another decision for you.

Is there a possibility that you could contact several mfg's and have their better model shipped to you for set-up and burning. Then decide which line to handle? Probably would require buying each one as they wouldn't want to provide them.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Lots of people here use them. Firewood is not as readily available here, expensive to buy, so people use pellets.
Harman and Quadrafire are the two big names, which equal highest cost.
some of the Ace hardwares, TSC sell other brands, not sure what they are off the top of my head.

 

[charlz]

IIRC Quadra Fire is made on the West Coast so is more popular here. Harman is made somewhere on the East Coast and is more popular there.

There seems to be at least some small manufactures scattered around. The key difference seems to be 1)appearance of product which is $$ related 2)longevity of brand for parts availability.

I find pellet heat to cost about 45% that of propane on a BTU to BTU basis.... but you do have to put some 'sweat equity' into the deal just like heating with wood.

As noted pellet availability and quality is the key issue with owning a pellet stove. Here in the Northwest we have really never had issues getting pellets as there are pellet plants scattered around the Northwest. Quality is another problem. I have had a range of results with 'premium' pellets. I don't know who is supposed to enforce the standards but I don't think they are doing their job. Generally the darker the pellet the worse the quality, at least here on the West Coast.

Would you also sell pellets? I generally go through 4-6 tons per winter depending on how harsh it is. If you are going to supply your stove customers the tonnage can add up quick, might help if you have a rail spur near by

 

[sweettractors]

Ken
If the local market knows zero, what is the supply of pellets like? Also zero, or waiting for stoves?

Around here, the pellet stoves seem to be a fad...they buy them and use them for a winter or two then seem to become disenchanted for reasons I'm not sure.
Often complaints are maintenance, and supply of pellets. As to supply of pellets, they come in many qualities. Some have a lot of dirt that doesn't burn but adds a lot of ash. Getting known quality of pellet seems to be a mystery.

Some stoves burn corn. Might be another decision for you.

Is there a possibility that you could contact several mfg's and have their better model shipped to you for set-up and burning. Then decide which line to handle? Probably would require buying each one as they wouldn't want to provide them.

I am pretty sure we have a 1 county away, Amish supply pf pellets, They don't waste anything! I would like to be the supplier of the pellets as well. If I can narrow it down to 1 or 2 brands, I thought about putting them in operation at the shop for the customers to see in operation. Ken Sweet

 

[mbohuntr]

Having owned a Quadrafire, Vulcan, and Englander, the Englander gets the nod hands down. I was constantly replacing parts on the Quadrafire, The Vulcan didn't seem to throw off much heat, although I didn't use it that much. I heat my entire 2500 sq ft home all winter on 3 1/2 tons, it doesn't shut off from late October till Early May except for cleaning. And this unit is over 14 yrs old... :thumbsup: I would also HIGHLY recommend American Energy Systems Magnum ZC wood burning fireplace. It's a heating machine.

 

[schmism]

id certainly look at the ones that burn corn/pellets

which is to say its first a corn stove that also burns pellets vs the other way around (there is a difference)

 

[Dmace]

We have had a Harman wood pellet stove in our home for over 5 years now and it has been flawless. It's easy to start, fill, and clean and is very classy looking. I don't know the price since it came with the house but it's definitely the most popular up here in the frigid winters of New England.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I have Harman XXV, it's a great stove, totally automatic with a large ash pan that is good for about a ton of pellets.

 

[sweettractors]

I have a question for you guys. Do the insurance companies treat pellet stoves the same as wood burning stoves when they rate a homeowners policy? Ken Sweet

 

[Redgoatea]

Not sure about homeowners insurance. I've had a couple different brands of pellet stove. One of the quadrafires kept burning out the heating element. My issue with them is that we always lose power county wide for a couple of days in the winter and it's a hassle to run cords into the house from the generator to run the pellet stove cause without power they're totally useless. More than happy to have a wood burning stove now. 1 ton of pellets here on the Oregon coast goes for about $150-$200. Depending on where you get them and the quality. The lower the ash the better the pellet.

 

[Dmace]

I have a question for you guys. Do the insurance companies treat pellet stoves the same as wood burning stoves when they rate a homeowners policy? Ken Sweet

Mine does not, they said that it was a "pleasure accessory" and not a primary heat source. Since the use would be occasional, the chances of fire are less plus the fire is completely enclosed unlike a wood stove.

My issue with them is that we always lose power county wide for a couple of days in the winter and it's a hassle to run cords into the house from the generator to run the pellet stove cause without power they're totally useless.

They make battery backup units for them that will keep them running for a good day or two.

 

[Redgoatea]

Mine does not, they said that it was a "pleasure accessory" and not a primary heat source. Since the use would be occasional, the chances of fire are less plus the fire is completely enclosed unlike a wood stove.

They must be making new models then??? cause all the ones I had the fire was in a open receptacle. Granted it's a lot smaller fire than wood but you close the outer door and contain both.

 

[Redgoatea]

Mine does not, they said that it was a "pleasure accessory" and not a primary heat source. Since the use would be occasional, the chances of fire are less plus the fire is completely enclosed unlike a wood stove.

They make battery backup units for them that will keep them running for a good day or two.

Wow I guess they have changed quite a bit in the last few years. Still prefer my wood. I own acres of trees so fuels free but with the improvements they've made I'd go pellet if I didn't have a forest. 7

 

[higgy]

I also have a quadra fire and love it. We have a small one in the living room, which is a large room, about 25 by 34 with 22 foot vaulted ceilings. The stove does fine at keeping the room warm and snug. We used just over a ton of pellets this last winter.

 

[mbohuntr]

Here in NY, Pellet stoves are considered a heating "Appliance" . You are required to get a permit, and have it installed by a "qualified technician". I did my own installation with the Vulcan, and had no issues as I followed the code. The insurance was not an issue as long as it was inspected. Pellets are averaging $250/ ton. I really preferred cutting my own firewood on my property, but our wise state now taxes property so high, that it is not worth it to own much.
There is the issue of power outages, because the units need the power exhaust to move the smoke outside. If you get then frequently, it might be wise to also recommend the battery backups. Smokey house = unhappy customers. They also are not really likely to have chimney fires. In fact, I don't think it's possible because they produce no creasote.

 

[higgy]

wow that is a lot for pellets. We get then for 125 to 150 a ton here.

 

[mbohuntr]

wow that is a lot for pellets. We get then for 125 to 150 a ton here.

Amazing since I am surrounded by forest, and you are surrounded by farmland. Typical for NY

 

[sweettractors]

Here in NY, Pellet stoves are considered a heating "Appliance" . You are required to get a permit, and have it installed by a "qualified technician". I did my own installation with the Vulcan, and had no issues as I followed the code. The insurance was not an issue as long as it was inspected. Pellets are averaging $250/ ton. I really preferred cutting my own firewood on my property, but our wise state now taxes property so high, that it is not worth it to own much.
There is the issue of power outages, because the units need the power exhaust to move the smoke outside. If you get then frequently, it might be wise to also recommend the battery backups. Smokey house = unhappy customers. They also are not really likely to have chimney fires. In fact, I don't think it's possible because they produce no creasote.

How much do battery backup for the stoves cost? I am glad to hear that they don't build up creosote, That is a good selling point. No chimney fires. Ken Sweet

 

[higgy]

They do not take very much power, mostly for the fan(s). I have mine set to run in gen power if needed. In the 5 years we have had ours never had to run it on the gen. I do to exercise the gen once a month but that is it.

Also they can be installed with very little off set from the wall or corner. The pipe on mine is 6" from the walls in the corner of the room.

We went with a pellet as my kids were small at the time. You can put your hand on the side of the stove when running. It is very warm but you can keep your hand there with no difficulty. I did not want to brand my kids.