Is a Pellet Stove in Colorado Springs a Good Match for Your Lifestyle?

Pellet stoves in Colorado Springs are mirroring the increase in popularity seen across the US. With the abundance of fuel in Colorado, should you choose one over its wood burning or gas fueled counterparts? Though each kind of fuel-burning stove has its own benefits and drawbacks, the best pellet stoves have a lot to offer. What advantages do pellets provide that might make them a perfect fit for your lifestyle? Let’s take a closer look …

Hate dealing with wood, but love a wood fire?
Pellet stoves do have a true flame, unlike gas, however this effect may be somewhat diminished from the aesthetics of wood burning models as only pellet fragments are ablaze. Fortunately, this can be easily remedied by selecting a pellet stove model with ceramic log inserts.

Have enough things to “tend” to?
If you think cutting, hauling and storing wood, dodging bugs, and lighting and tending to create heat with fire are overrated, you may love a pellet stove. Sold in 40 pound bags and more compact than logs, pellets do need a dry place for storage, however they’re much easier to handle than wood. Simply feed pellets into the hopper and it will automatically fuel your fire as needed. Some models even offer extra-large hopper capacity for less frequent filling.

Winter utility bills wearing you down?
The best pellet stoves offer amazing efficiency, with EPA certified models in the 70% to 83% efficiency range. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, on a BTU-per-dollar basis, the cost of heating by pellet is at least as efficient as heating directly from fossil fuels – in the range of coal and natural gas, and well below electric, propane, and oil. How do pellet costs compare to wood? Pellet stoves consume about 100 kilowatt-hours (about $9 worth) of electricity per month, and a ton of high quality pellets (50-40 pound bags) has the energy potential equivalent of 1 ½ cords of firewood. Keep in mind, however, wood versus pellet savings is influenced by firewood accessibility (ie: firewood will cost more in urban locales than country residences). Installation of pellet stoves and inserts can also be more affordable than wood burning models, with no need for an expensive chimney or flue and direct vent capability.

Have respiratory issues?
The amount of particulates emitted by pellet stoves is a fraction of wood burning emissions – so low the EPA does not even subject them to certification.

How do you feel about maintenance duties?
Pellet stoves are cleaner burning than wood stoves, but less so than gas models. Typical maintenance includes loading the hopper (daily to weekly, depending on size), emptying ashes (weekly to every few weeks), cleaning traps and glass, and scheduling routine professional maintenance to clean the heat exchanger and vent system. Looking for less hands-on maintenance? A gas stove may be a better option for you.

Trying to tread lightly with your carbon footprint?
Pellets are made from renewable resources, with each stove offering compatibility with a particular pellet style (wood, corn, soy, grass, wheat, barley – even cherry pits) or offering multi-fuel compatibility. Typically made from the processing of other by-products, pellets turn waste that may have gone to landfills into usable fuel. Despite production, packaging, and shipping, they offer a heat source with a lower environmental impact than many other options.

How often do you need backup heat when the power goes out?
Even the best pellet stoves require electricity to feed pellets and circulate heat. Though many models have battery backups, they only run for about 8 hours.

Discover why Fireplace Warehouse ETC has the best pellet stoves in Colorado Springs and Denver by coming into one of our showrooms at 1722 Paonia St. Colorado Springs, or 3827 Steele St. Denver, or shop online anytime today.