Hi everyone,
I recently joined the forum, and I thought that rather than lurking I would just get the introductions done.
I started using my first pellet stove last fall (2011) just after the October Ice storm that had us without power and, therefore, without heat for a week.
That storm also convinced me that I needed a heating source that was independent of the power grid. So now I have a Mt Vernon AE with direct 12V battery backup and an inverter so that my wife can restart the stove after it does a clean cycle. I have a small solar panel to maintain the battery, but I don't expect it will be able to restore the charge during our gloomy New England winter days.
I was so pleased with the Mt Vernon that I decided that my workshop, which needed a source of heat, should have a pellet stove as well. I bought a badly abused England PDVC-25 and restored it to working condition. Considering the original cost and the repair parts that it needed, I only spent $400 on the stove itself. The parts for venting ran me another $125 (I love Ebay). I fired it up last week for the first indoor run and aside for having to adjust the starter position it runs well.
My experience with pellets has been limited. My first season I started out with Inferno and was very disappointed with the heat output of the Mt Vernon. When those ran out I tried some Lignetics. Heat output was much better and I was of a mind to stay with them for this year. Things don't always happen the way we expect and I eventually acquired four tons of Green Team. This was a bit of a gamble, but I think that I did okay.
My oil dealer is still wondering what I am doing for heat. Last winter was mild, but I kept the house warmer than I used to (I retired, so I am at home most of the time now). I spent about $500 on pellets and my oil bill went down by $1400 for the year. With the second pellet stove I expect to do even better this year. I know it is early in the season, but this is New England and night temperatures have been getting down into the 40's. So far the oil thermostat for the first floor of the house has remained off and the second floor is only on in the morning to take the chill off. The basement stove hasn't been needed yet.
Well, that in a nutshell is my experience with pellet stoves.
Harvey
Added images
I recently joined the forum, and I thought that rather than lurking I would just get the introductions done.
I started using my first pellet stove last fall (2011) just after the October Ice storm that had us without power and, therefore, without heat for a week.
That storm also convinced me that I needed a heating source that was independent of the power grid. So now I have a Mt Vernon AE with direct 12V battery backup and an inverter so that my wife can restart the stove after it does a clean cycle. I have a small solar panel to maintain the battery, but I don't expect it will be able to restore the charge during our gloomy New England winter days.
I was so pleased with the Mt Vernon that I decided that my workshop, which needed a source of heat, should have a pellet stove as well. I bought a badly abused England PDVC-25 and restored it to working condition. Considering the original cost and the repair parts that it needed, I only spent $400 on the stove itself. The parts for venting ran me another $125 (I love Ebay). I fired it up last week for the first indoor run and aside for having to adjust the starter position it runs well.
My experience with pellets has been limited. My first season I started out with Inferno and was very disappointed with the heat output of the Mt Vernon. When those ran out I tried some Lignetics. Heat output was much better and I was of a mind to stay with them for this year. Things don't always happen the way we expect and I eventually acquired four tons of Green Team. This was a bit of a gamble, but I think that I did okay.
My oil dealer is still wondering what I am doing for heat. Last winter was mild, but I kept the house warmer than I used to (I retired, so I am at home most of the time now). I spent about $500 on pellets and my oil bill went down by $1400 for the year. With the second pellet stove I expect to do even better this year. I know it is early in the season, but this is New England and night temperatures have been getting down into the 40's. So far the oil thermostat for the first floor of the house has remained off and the second floor is only on in the morning to take the chill off. The basement stove hasn't been needed yet.
Well, that in a nutshell is my experience with pellet stoves.
Harvey
Added images
