pellet stove or pellet insert

[pfalk2]

what are the advantages or disadvantages of buying a pellet stove or a pellet insert? i am doing a major remodel and can go either way. thanks for any and all the info.

 

[alternativeheat]

what are the advantages or disadvantages of buying a pellet stove or a pellet insert? i am doing a major remodel and can go either way. thanks for any and all the info.

The major advantage of an insert is that it is tucked away into a wall or fireplace not taking up floor space. Another is that often it will turn a useless heat robbing fireplace into something functional that has the potential, in some cases, to heat an entire house vs robbing heat from the entire house.

The advantage of a stove "can be" install easy, ease of cleaning and general maintenance. Stoves can be bought with more or higher BTU rating than can inserts, if that is required. Stoves can be bought that offer a greater degree of radiant heat plus convection, where inserts tend to be more convection only. In pellets stoves there is a larger selection of them to selection of inserts.

That said, much depends on your goal. Both are functional. Those are the quick highlights, I'm sure others can offer more.

 

[IHATEPROPANE]

what are the advantages or disadvantages of buying a pellet stove or a pellet insert? i am doing a major remodel and can go either way. thanks for any and all the info.

The biggest advantages of free standing stoves are hopper size, ash pan size and ease of access to clean and service. If you can go freestanding IMHO that is by far the best option.

 

[alternativeheat]

The biggest advantages of free standing stoves are hopper size, ash pan size and ease of access to clean and service. If you can go freestanding IMHO that is by far the best option.

Good one, I didn't think of the hopper size but should have. I have a coworker who loves his insert but doesn't run it overnight because in the cold weather he says it won't make it through the night. So he runs oil overnight, IMO at least in part, defeating the purpose of heating with pellets.

 

[IHATEPROPANE]

Good one, I didn't think of the hopper size but should have. I have a coworker who loves his insert but doesn't run it overnight because in the cold weather he says it won't make it through the night. So he runs oil overnight, IMO at least in part, defeating the purpose of heating with pellets.

Yeah, it's one of those things that may not be on your radar until you start burning. I have a 130 lb hopper and would not buy another stove without at least the same size.

 

[CaptSpiff]

Good one, I didn't think of the hopper size but should have. I have a coworker who loves his insert but doesn't run it overnight because in the cold weather he says it won't make it through the night. So he runs oil overnight, IMO at least in part, defeating the purpose of heating with pellets.

Sounds like he may have bigger problems. Run on low most units back down to under 2lbs/hr input. Or maybe he's a really long sleeper???

 

[IHATEPROPANE]

Sounds like he may have bigger problems. Run on low most units back down to under 2lbs/hr input. Or maybe he's a really long sleeper???

I guess if being cold is an option than turning the stove down would make sense.

 

[alternativeheat]

Sounds like he may have bigger problems. Run on low most units back down to under 2lbs/hr input. Or maybe he's a really long sleeper???

I don't know, he says he is not getting up early to feed it ! I believe he said that it holds 30 lb of pellets.

 

[alternativeheat]

Yeah, it's one of those things that may not be on your radar until you start burning. I have a 130 lb hopper and would not buy another stove without at least the same size.

My 72lb hopper makes all my critical time points and if I'm late there are still plenty of pellets to keep it going longer.. Plenty in there when I return from work, makes the overnight on cold nights without the oil heat coming on. I'm happy. However, there is an extension for this hopper should one require that !

 

[IHATEPROPANE]

My 72lb hopper makes all my critical time points and if I'm late there are still plenty of pellets to keep it going longer.. Plenty in there when I return from work, makes the overnight on cold nights without the oil heat coming one. I'm happy. However, there is an extension for this hopper should one require that !

Yes, most times that size hopper will be just fine. But I really like the fact I can fill it in the morning and not worry about it running out even if I am gone until the next day. Even though this is only a few times a year. I have propane heat normally and a crawlspace basement. A lot of cold air can come up through the vents so I blocked them all. If my pellets run out while I am gone my house gets cold.

 

[latichever]

For my brand, Breckwell, the insert and their freestanding equivalents are listed as having the same BTU output--but I can see the point of more radiant heat if more of a unit is in the room versus tucked into a fireplace.

I can get a bag and a half into my insert.

 

[Tonyray]

My 72lb hopper makes all my critical time points and if I'm late there are still plenty of pellets to keep it going longer.. Plenty in there when I return from work, makes the overnight on cold nights without the oil heat coming on. I'm happy. However, there is an extension for this hopper should one require that !

Could not imagine a 30 pound hopper....specially when a bag is 40 pounds...
thank Harman for a 72 pound hopper..

 

[alternativeheat]

I guess if being cold is an option than turning the stove down would make sense.

For me being cold is not a willing option, I despise being cold in my own house and I don't have to be cold. With oil it gets very costly, the heat has to be fairly low to limp through. Adding pellets with a good stove makes me happy ! My living room is toasty, my studio is warm and best of all so is my bed, all night long.

Yes, most times that size hopper will be just fine. But I really like the fact I can fill it in the morning and not worry about it running out even if I am gone until the next day. Even though this is only a few times a year. I have propane heat normally and a crawlspace basement. A lot of cold air can come up through the vents so I blocked them all. If my pellets run out while I am gone my house gets cold.

Ya well, I can understand you not wanting the propane to kick on anyway, it's priced worse than oil currently. Bad enough the oil kicking on is like finger nails down a chalk board as it is ( we do still have to heat our tenant on oil). But hey, better heating 500 sq ft on oil than also our 1800 over here as well =2300 sq ft. The oil has not been on in this house since we put in the Harman and we have been through some really cold weather during my learning curve. The dining room where the oil heat thermostat sits for our house has not been below 72 deg the whole time. I have the oil set at 69.

 

[IHATEPROPANE]

For me being cold is not a willing option, I despise being cold in my own house and I don't have to be cold. With oil it gets very costly, the heat has to be fairly low to limp through. Adding pellets with a good stove makes me happy ! My living room is toasty, my studio is warm and best of all so is my bed, all night long.

Ya well, I can understand you not wanting the propane to kick on anyway, it's priced worse than oil currently. Bad enough the oil kicking on is like finger nails down a chalk board as it is ( we do still have to heat our tenant on oil). But hey, better heating 500 sq ft on oil than also our 1800 over here as well =2300 sq ft. The oil has not been on in this house since we put in the Harman and we have been through some really cold weather during my learning curve. The dining room where the oil heat thermostat sits for our house has not been below 72 deg the whole time. I have the oil set at 69.

I have not used a drop of propane in three years for heat. And look forward to at least another three

 

[alternativeheat]

Could not imagine a 30 pound hopper....specially when a bag is 40 ponds...
thank Harman for a 72 pound hopper..

This guy speaks broken English, it's hard to catch everything he says but it sure sounded like he said 30 lbs. I forget the model too, or more like I didn't catch it. But it should be a good one, $3700. When I see him one day during the week I will ask him again what stove he has. I don't believe it's a Harman, the pot design he described was not like a Harman.

 

[alternativeheat]

I have not used a drop of propane in three years for heat. And look forward to at least another three

That's great !! I can't really force pellets on my tenant so we will burn minimal oil. We have NG going by out in the street, the wife refuses to bring it into the house.

 

[tjnamtiw]

That's great !! I can't really force pellets on my tenant so we will burn minimal oil. We have NG going by out in the street, the wife refuses to bring it into the house.

Why not??? Besides the obvious heat, gas stoves are so much better to cook on, gas water heaters are faster to recover, and gas clothes driers use less energy. They are ALL money savers and more!

 

[alternativeheat]

Why not??? Besides the obvious heat, gas stoves are so much better to cook on, gas water heaters are faster to recover, and gas clothes driers use less energy. They are ALL money savers and more!

We have gas appliances, propane. Two driers, two ranges and a hot water heater. We have an oil boiler and pellets for heat. The wife thinks the house will blow up on NG ! Each time over the years that I get her close to convinced that that doesn't just happen, there generally are detectable leaks or what ever, the news shows some house reduced to toothpicks because of a gas leak. it's how it is, if she is going to feel unsafe, regardless of how unfounded then so be it.

 

[T_lee05]

I'm dealing with the same dilemma, so thanks for your post. I was also on the fence as to whether to switching to coal over pellet. Living here in central PA has the availability of coal, but the dirt and EPA issues have me thinking otherwise.

Back to the issue at hand, insert over freestanding....I have an empress fpi and I'm not seeing a huge difference to help offset my oil bill, but this also related to other factors that I'm correcting (ie 100yr old house). My thought is that I'm losing heat up the chimney whereas if I had a stove that heat would be radiating out. Thoughts on this?

 

[alternativeheat]

I'm dealing with the same dilemma, so thanks for your post. I was also on the fence as to whether to switching to coal over pellet. Living here in central PA has the availability of coal, but the dirt and EPA issues have me thinking otherwise.

Back to the issue at hand, insert over freestanding....I have an empress fpi and I'm not seeing a huge difference to help offset my oil bill, but this also related to other factors that I'm correcting (ie 100yr old house). My thought is that I'm losing heat up the chimney whereas if I had a stove that heat would be radiating out. Thoughts on this?

The Empress is nice looking and a 78% efficient unit at 34 or 35,000 btu input. How much area are you trying to heat first off ? How insulated is the install ? An insert should have insulation in the chimney above the the stove at the base of the old fire shelf and the chimney should be capped with a termination outlet on top of a liner. That cures the thought of the heat going up the chimney other than the internal 22 or 24% loss. Beyond that, large old house with little insulation is tough to heat. I know I have insulation that could certainly be better and burn a P61 where a P43 should do it for 1800 sq ft.. My free standing stove vents through my old chimney. Before I could get the cap on I had to burn this thing and couldn't believe the air rushing to the fireplace past the stove. I stuffed insulation up in the fire shelf till the guy came and topped the chimney for me and everything settled down. So free standing needs it all right as well, FWIW.

That said, the Empress is supposed to radiate some but it really is a convection heater. If the house is larger than 1500 sq ft you are taxing the unit anyway before considering the loose house ( I assume loose since it's 100yo and you say you have to address that).

 

[tjnamtiw]

We have gas appliances, propane. Two driers, two ranges and a hot water heater. We have an oil boiler and pellets for heat. The wife thinks the house will blow up on NG ! Each time over the years that I get her close to convinced that that doesn't just happen, there generally are detectable leaks or what ever, the news shows some house reduced to toothpicks because of a gas leak. it's how it is, if she is going to feel unsafe, regardless of how unfounded then so be it.

Convincing the wife on any subject is a losing proposition!! As if propane doesn't leak........ I feel for you!

 

[tjnamtiw]

I'm dealing with the same dilemma, so thanks for your post. I was also on the fence as to whether to switching to coal over pellet. Living here in central PA has the availability of coal, but the dirt and EPA issues have me thinking otherwise.

Back to the issue at hand, insert over freestanding....I have an empress fpi and I'm not seeing a huge difference to help offset my oil bill, but this also related to other factors that I'm correcting (ie 100yr old house). My thought is that I'm losing heat up the chimney whereas if I had a stove that heat would be radiating out. Thoughts on this?

You REALLY need to investigate the new stoker coal stoves. Don't believe all the BS about dirt of coal vs pellets. Sounds like you need the 90,000 btu's that a coal stoker gives you.
www.leisurelinestoves.com
www.keystoker.com
www.readingstove.com

 

[alternativeheat]

Convincing the wife on any subject is a losing proposition!! As if propane doesn't leak........ I feel for you!

Oh it's ok, it's one of those lady things where she has this idea in her head and that's about that. Just work around it.

 

[Aquion]

I have an insert. I'm my house, the only options were in the fireplace or right next to the fireplace. My stove has a 60lb hopper and a smallish ash pan.

The hopper size has never been an issue. I normally burn about a bag a day. I bring a bag up from the garage and throw in the the stove just before I go to bed. During a cold snap, I'll go through 2 bags a day, so that adds an extra trip to the garage in the morning.

The ash pan size isn't much of an issue for me either. I clean out the stove every week anyway, so emptying out the ash pan once a week is no big deal. I've never had the fire go out due to ash build up even during weeks where I have burned 2 bags a day.

I like that the stove is up on the hearth away from the kids. I have a gate around mine as well.

A bigger hopper and ash pan would be convenient but not convenient enough to make up for the floor space I'd lose to a free standing model.

 

[moey]

I have a freestanding if I had a option of a insert I would seriously consider it. You heat for 6 months of the year the other 6 you have to look at hunk of metal in the corner.