Hi everyone. Newbie here and trying to decide between a pellet stove and a wood stove. I am mainly discouraged from buying the wood stove because we were told at one dealer that a 25 ft chimney pipe would cost us $2500, just for the pipe alone. Does this sound right or are we getting royally ripped off?
Chimney Pipe...
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Benchwrench
Feeling the Heat
You can do a search to find out what folks here think about pellet stoves.
As far as your quote, it sounds about right if it includes the labor to install the stove and liner sight unseen. Some jobs are easier than others.
Personally, I wouldn't pay that much in labor. Some will do an install for around $350 to 400 if you buy the stove and liner from them.
I also have 25' of chimney pipe which was $1200 just for the components. I'm doing my own install.
As far as your quote, it sounds about right if it includes the labor to install the stove and liner sight unseen. Some jobs are easier than others.
Personally, I wouldn't pay that much in labor. Some will do an install for around $350 to 400 if you buy the stove and liner from them.
I also have 25' of chimney pipe which was $1200 just for the components. I'm doing my own install.
Benchwrench said:
Thanks.. They told me it would be an additional cost for Labor. Another NY ripoff...I just figured if the pipe wasnt so expensive, the wood stove would be the better alternative, even though I really dont want to deal with carrying wood in and out in the middle of winter.
I probably should prefece the below answer wiht the fact I know a few tree service owner/operators: Read on now please.
Where you may save money down the road is on the fuel. Pellets pricing went WAY up just before the time I was researching the same question so I went with the wood stove.
Take your time, read a lot and you come up with your own answer.
Where you may save money down the road is on the fuel. Pellets pricing went WAY up just before the time I was researching the same question so I went with the wood stove.
Take your time, read a lot and you come up with your own answer.
well said.....and the demand for pellets is going up, up UP........so will the supply go down, and the price will go up higher...I haven't paid a dime for my home heating in over 4 yrs.......I love my woodstove, it's good excersized dealing with the wood, and we love the warm cozy heat beyond belief.....as long as I can cut trees, I ain 't going back to any other heating method......and BTW, that price on pipe is way outrageous, they are marking it up DOUBLE what you can get it for elsewhere...may pay you to do it yourself, and you've come to the right place to learn how..fishinpa said:
Scotty Overkill said:
Yep.. Did an online search and see that I can get 25 ft of that pipe for $800, delivered. If only I was handy.......Going to check another dealer to see what they would charge.
Chimney pipe aside, there are some pretty significant differences between heating with cordwood and heating with pellets. If you haven't already done so, I'd strongly suggest that you learn all you can about both kinds of heating systems, and make a choice between the two based on your situation & capabilities. The information and resources available here at Hearth.com can be a big help to you in this pursuit. Rick
From what I gather, it seems I would have more control over heat output with the pellet. Also, less ash to clean? Cant run the pellet without electricity unless I have a generator or backup battery. Pellet seems cleaner and easier to me. Is there anything more significant that I am missing?
shawneyboy
Minister of Fire
cuznvin said:
One big thing to me is you have to buy pellets. You can get wood at very little to no cost. It all depends on what you want. Pellet easier ? yes. Less expensive short term? yes. More expensive long term? For me..... YES.
Shawn
I'm in the same boat, looking for a reasonable affordable way to get a stove installed in my basement. I called a local dealer and he told me to figure $80/linear ft for the whole chimney. For your needs that would be about $2000, so your price seems kinda high to me. They also told me it would be around $5-600 to do the installation, which was a lot lower than I expected.
Do you really need 25' of Class A pipe, though? My new home is a ranch and they told me I could run single-wall up to the connector that goes through the basement ceiling and then about 16' of class A, so that would be a bit over $1200, plus installation. So, that puts a new chimney in my place - professionally installed - for under $2K... unless I misunderstood the guy.
Do you really need 25' of Class A pipe, though? My new home is a ranch and they told me I could run single-wall up to the connector that goes through the basement ceiling and then about 16' of class A, so that would be a bit over $1200, plus installation. So, that puts a new chimney in my place - professionally installed - for under $2K... unless I misunderstood the guy.
Cuzn, I've never owned a pellet stove, but I am getting one for free (Harmon P-61) with the house. I priced that stove up and it is $3500 brand new. You can get a real nice wood stove for about 1/2 that price. Makes up for much of the cost of a chimney install for a wood stove.
cuznvin said:
Yes. Maintenance. A wood stove is going to require emptying the ashes when the stove gets too full,
maybe cleaning the glass if you don't burn it hot enough & at least one chimney cleaning each season.
A pellet stove is going to require scraping, cleaning & vacuuming ALONG with emptying the ashes.
I scrape my burnpots a couple of times a week & scrape the heat exchangers once a week. I empty the
ash pan on my P43 once every three weeks & my P61A once a month. I generally brush my pellet vent
a couple of times a season - which may be unnecessary, but I do it for my own piece of mind.
The other difference is your fuel storage. You might as well dump your pellets in your garden for mulch
if they get wet. They will be worthless as fuel.
Firewood can get wet because generally it'll dry out from the sun & wind...
Battenkiller said:
Thanks.. Seems like the wood stoves I have been looking at were about $1000 less. Im going to have to do more searching.
Backwoods Savage
Minister of Fire
cuznvin said:
I don't understand why most folks seem to think they have to go through a dealer. If you can't do the labor, then buy the materials and hire a carpenter and then you are not at the mercy of said dealer.
Backwoods Savage said:
True, but here in NY we would be at the mercy of the carpenter! They would probably charge the same!
I agree with BWS. With the slower economy, there are plenty of small home-improvement guys around looking for work. I would call someone I know or ask for several references.
cuznvin said:
All the figures I've seen indicate same ash content for wood and pellets. Makes sense, with pellets made from woody debris.
Some woods have extra ash in their bark, though- black locust comes to mind.
I've been using woodstoves, as they've evolved, in the region for 35+ years. Never bought wood. Enormous savings & great exercise.
If you choose woodstove, find an expert to teach safe use of chainsaw; I lucked into working with a master during college summers.
Only having my Englander 30 for almost 2 months. I can make a statement and say, given the choice... I would go Pellets. The time you spend cleaning the pellet stove every week or two. Is the same time you spend feeding wood, adjusting air, cleaning ashes on a woodstove. Not to mention that pellets are cleaner. No mess..
Yes they need electric. But I heated 2,180 sq ft for 3 yrs with just my Quadrafire CB 1200. I use 4 tons of fuel a yr. Which pellets are still at a great price. Last year and this year, they can be had cheaper than the previous 2 yrs before that. I can get 4 tons of Somersets (great pellet) from Menards for $700. So $700 and the convenience of a thermostat. Just fill the hopper every day (or 2-4 days/depends on hopper size) and clean on weekends. I kept my home at 75*-76* for 3 yrs lile this. Run the stove on a low setting, 24/7 and you will be surprised...
Dont get me wrong. I love the 30 too... Nothing beats the Nuclear heat that it throws. I got it to help reduce my pellet consumption and also in the event of a power failure, the 30 and the fireplace could heat the entire house (basement and upstairs)
Do your research and make a post in the Pellet Mill.. The answers there will be like they are here. Everyone is somewhat Bias.. I lile them both. But for my lifestyle. Pellets are a better fit. Especially if you have to buy wood or dont have the room for 3 yrs worth sitting around (12-15 cord)..
My 2 cents. . . . .
Yes they need electric. But I heated 2,180 sq ft for 3 yrs with just my Quadrafire CB 1200. I use 4 tons of fuel a yr. Which pellets are still at a great price. Last year and this year, they can be had cheaper than the previous 2 yrs before that. I can get 4 tons of Somersets (great pellet) from Menards for $700. So $700 and the convenience of a thermostat. Just fill the hopper every day (or 2-4 days/depends on hopper size) and clean on weekends. I kept my home at 75*-76* for 3 yrs lile this. Run the stove on a low setting, 24/7 and you will be surprised...
Dont get me wrong. I love the 30 too... Nothing beats the Nuclear heat that it throws. I got it to help reduce my pellet consumption and also in the event of a power failure, the 30 and the fireplace could heat the entire house (basement and upstairs)
Do your research and make a post in the Pellet Mill.. The answers there will be like they are here. Everyone is somewhat Bias.. I lile them both. But for my lifestyle. Pellets are a better fit. Especially if you have to buy wood or dont have the room for 3 yrs worth sitting around (12-15 cord)..
My 2 cents. . . . .
DexterDay said:
Thanks for your 2 cents and your input ;-) I really think pellet is the way for me to go. I dont have the patience to have to keep adjusting a wood fire. Do you worry about leaving the stove on when you arent home?
cuznvin said:
No... I dont. But I still suggest starting a thread in the Pellet Mill Forum asking the same questions. There you will get some pitfalls and some more benefits.
It takes different folks different times to get adjusted to FIRE in there home while they are not there. The Woodstove I am still learning. But the Pellet stove has so many safeties, that if I am gone, it will shut itself off. No chimney fires, Overfires, or broken welds. That is the thing I love most. The automation and convenience of heat all day (takes a minute to fill the hopper) for nothing.
Im probably gonna catch a little flack for this, in the Hearth Forum. But this is my opinion. Lots of people throw these stoves down and say they dont produce any heat. 60,000 BTU's is 60,000 BTU's. And with pellets, you obtain a better chance of actually hitting that # if you dont have a "Free" supply of wood or room to keep 2-3 yrs worth of wood.
Again. I have the room for the wood. I have access to plenty of "free" wood. I love the heat from the 30-NC. Its more work and more time consuming in my eyes.
Pellets are always "seasoned" (bad joke) and store in a small space. 3-5 ton is a good average. But it depends on your sq footage and how well your home is insulated..
Whats your operating budget for your stove and chimney/flue?
Sorry for spelling. Typing fast on phone. Wife is calling. And I am in the basement tending the Fire. I will say that the Woodstove has saved me about 10 bags of pellets so far this year.
Thats why I love both. But if I had one...........
Honestly, I Just want to spend what I need to for something that looks nice and is reliable. I wantbto definitely keep It around $4500
OrpingtonManor
Member
I have heated with pellets exclusively since 2005. This is my first experience with a wood stove. I agree with Dexter Day on many levels.
I am sure I will get really good at getting my woodstove going. So far, I'm bad it, but am having a blast trying. Still, it's a bit of work.
The pellet stove heats the front of my house pretty well. The woodstove is now heating the back half of the house. The woodstove heat is more intense and enjoyable, but the pellet stove requires almost nothing from me.
The cleaning of the pellet stove firepot and weekly ash removal is a complete no-brainer. Annual maintenance is easy. I store my pellets in the basement, so they are always dry. But, getting them into and out of the basement requires a strong back. As for wood, I pay for it now, but hope to find some for free for next year. Pellets have years of shortage, and are certainly going up in cost.
I tried to set up a solar back-up system for the pellet stove, but didn't succeed, so am still reliant on the grid to ignite the pellet stove. Now that I have the woodstove, I will have heat in a power outage. I like having both, for different reasons.
Both types have their positive and negative aspects. Good luck deciding.
I am sure I will get really good at getting my woodstove going. So far, I'm bad it, but am having a blast trying. Still, it's a bit of work.
The pellet stove heats the front of my house pretty well. The woodstove is now heating the back half of the house. The woodstove heat is more intense and enjoyable, but the pellet stove requires almost nothing from me.
The cleaning of the pellet stove firepot and weekly ash removal is a complete no-brainer. Annual maintenance is easy. I store my pellets in the basement, so they are always dry. But, getting them into and out of the basement requires a strong back. As for wood, I pay for it now, but hope to find some for free for next year. Pellets have years of shortage, and are certainly going up in cost.
I tried to set up a solar back-up system for the pellet stove, but didn't succeed, so am still reliant on the grid to ignite the pellet stove. Now that I have the woodstove, I will have heat in a power outage. I like having both, for different reasons.
Both types have their positive and negative aspects. Good luck deciding.
OrpingtonManor said:
Yep.. Exactly. I am getting better and better at the wood thing. Its a lot more work for wood (dont mind it) and you must have space (I do).
I love the Woodstove. The Wife loves it, but says it takes up to much of my time.. I love it, but have to constantly clean the basement.
Do a simple search here. Type what you want to know, then sit back and enjoy. Days and days worth of reading. All at your disposal.
Again. The pellet thing works better for me. Its much easier and less time consuming than a woodstove. Your results may vary and your lifestyle may be different. My pellet stove wont get to 700* , but I can get it to blow 300* air 24/7 non-stop, morning, noon, and night, with only a minute long Fill of the hopper. Set the heat level and away you go.
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