Any members have experience using the pellet stoves as source of heat, pro's and con's. Looking to heat an 800 sq. ft. shop and considering going with pellet stove. Wonder if there is a formula to determine the amount, or pounds, of pellets it would take to heat a room, over a certain period of time? I would assume by now there is a battery backup to operate the hopper during power outage. Anyhow, any input appreciated, thank you.

 

check out the forums over at Hearth.com Forum | Forums

got into the "Pellet Room and Corn Crib". A wealth of knowledge for pellet stoves.

 

I just installed a quadrafire 1200 in my downstairs man room, appox 500 sq feet. that sucker bakes me alive. I love it. bag of pellets last about 3 days-ish. small stairway opening so most of the heat doesn't just flow up stairs, most of the house stays very nice, bedrooms no so much, to far down the hallway. No battery backup. use a generator. I sell a nice Alton 6500 watt for ..... email me I'll make you a deal.

Ed

 

I have and older Harmon P62 ( I think it's a 62) Nice stove. It is in my basement approx 800 sq ft. A 40 lb bag of pellets will last about 24-48 hours depending on set temp. In case of power failure I also use a generator. I have a 10 ckt transfer switch. Very nice setup.

 

dirgio, first and foremost, welcome to FTE!! Thank you for the website source, lots of info so I bookmarked.

Seems now faced with the dilema of whether to use pellets for the shop and firewood for the main house. It takes approx. 3 1/2 cords of wood to get thru winter and adding a wood burner in the shop would take additional much needed space. Now considering also replacing wood burner in main house, I figure it would take approx. 5-6 flats of pellets, at 50 bags per flat to get house and shop thru winter. Certainly would save on space. It's about time to start collecting firewood so need to make a decission. Reside in what I would describe as wood cutter country; thus, not much of a selection to check out in majority of local retail shops. Intend doing more research, have no clue who manufactures them or what is available, hopefully 'heath.com' forum, can assist. Figure primarily find suppliers within reasonable distance where I can take a look at design, features, and options.

Ed, once I find out what it is I am looking for I will let you know if can use the stove, appreciate the offer.

Really apprecate the info, thank you!!.

 

here is a pic. key start. very nice. I have one.\

Ed

 

A house that I lived in while in college had a pellet stove in it and we would go through a bag everyother day, but it was also the only heat source for that house. Found that how much pellets you use depends a lot on the quality of the stove and quality of the pellets that you are buying. Also the quality of the pellet also determines how much and how often you need to clean it. Another thing to keep in mind is that the pellets have to stay dry so you have to have some sort of good storage space the bags.

Hope this helps.

 

Ed, appreciate the referral, we usually have about 2-3 power outages a yr. so generator a must. Currently have a large size generator but when it 'goes' I definately intend replacing with an electric starter. Probably don't need to tell anyone how frustrating, and exhausting it can be yanking a pull cord on a piece of equipment that does not want to start.

Went online and checked out the 2 pellet stoves mentioned, Harmon and Quadrafire. Found there are couple distributors within reasonable distance so I will be taking a look in next couple weeks. Imagine wood and pellet stoves have simular features in their construction. I prefer a rolled steel box over a cast iron; also, sealed as opposed to assembled. Went to 'heath.com' and found couple threads on the topic where they discuss the composition and qualities of pellets. Imagine it's like whether one purchases a cord of fir to that of a cord of oak, one is messy and will burn about 1/2 as long as the other.

jwshobe appreciate the 'headsup' regarding storage, currently have to load the wood in a wheel barrel and travel approx. 50' down hill, fortunately, where it's stacked on pallets then covered with a tarp, not sure how that will work but intend looking into.

Again, appreciate the input, thanx!