Hi,
We're ready to replace our gas fireplace insert with a pellet insert. Even though the gas unit (Heat-N Glo 6000XLT, about 16yrs old) is rated for up to 74% efficiency and around 30,000 BTUs output, it's in need of repair (will light but not stay on), never put out huge amounts of heat and propane runs about $4 here.
The initial idea was just to get a working fireplace to heat up the family room, but after reading some of the posts here we're hoping to cut down on our oil bill, especially given the high cost of the pellet stove and flue installation ($7-8K before rebates). We used about $5K in oil last year, and our burner has about 85-86% efficiency according to the technician's printout.
When I plug in the numbers on the fuel cost calculator, it shows a 25% savings (vs oil) for a normal home if pellets cost $300/ton, and a 35% savings at $250/ton. In our case, due to the layout and size of the house, the pellet insert would supplement but not nearly replace the central oil heater.
We would also need to get the unit serviced once a year ($200), get the chimney cleaned, run the central heating system fan in continuous mode to help with circulating the heat from the stove, and have the added electricity cost from running the stove 24/7. Past the initial warranty period, parts/repair costs will occur.
I know that nobody here will be able to help much with the specifics of our situation, there are just too many unknowns. But has anybody second guessed their decision to buy a pellet stove, and if so, why?
Frank
We're ready to replace our gas fireplace insert with a pellet insert. Even though the gas unit (Heat-N Glo 6000XLT, about 16yrs old) is rated for up to 74% efficiency and around 30,000 BTUs output, it's in need of repair (will light but not stay on), never put out huge amounts of heat and propane runs about $4 here.
The initial idea was just to get a working fireplace to heat up the family room, but after reading some of the posts here we're hoping to cut down on our oil bill, especially given the high cost of the pellet stove and flue installation ($7-8K before rebates). We used about $5K in oil last year, and our burner has about 85-86% efficiency according to the technician's printout.
When I plug in the numbers on the fuel cost calculator, it shows a 25% savings (vs oil) for a normal home if pellets cost $300/ton, and a 35% savings at $250/ton. In our case, due to the layout and size of the house, the pellet insert would supplement but not nearly replace the central oil heater.
We would also need to get the unit serviced once a year ($200), get the chimney cleaned, run the central heating system fan in continuous mode to help with circulating the heat from the stove, and have the added electricity cost from running the stove 24/7. Past the initial warranty period, parts/repair costs will occur.
I know that nobody here will be able to help much with the specifics of our situation, there are just too many unknowns. But has anybody second guessed their decision to buy a pellet stove, and if so, why?
Frank
The cold spell is expected to make NG spike but long term, the effect of relying on NG to generate electricity will cause it to rise dramatically as coal generating plants are EPA'd out of existence as promised. Where for instance will Ohio get the 90% of the electricity that is generated by coal? Hmmmm, who did they vote for??? Around here in Georgia, we have huge new NG generating farms that fire up every summer to meet the electrical demands. Our nuke plants are getting old and won't be replaced for quite a while. NG plants can be built rapidly. It's not rocket science and you don't need a crystal ball to see where we are being led.
