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Pellet Stove | Pellet Wood
Stove | Pellet Stove Pellets
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A wood pellet stove uses wood pellets which are renewable and very
clean-burning.
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Pellet Fuel
Pellet Stove Pellets is
normally sold in 40 pound (18 kg) bags at about $3–$4 each, or about
$120–$200 a ton. You can estimate how much fuel you will need for a
heating season by noting that one ton of pellets is equivalent to
approximately 1.5 cords of firewood. Most homeowners who use a
Pellet Stove as a main source of heat use two to three tons of
pellet fuel per year. Pellet fuel appliances are often less expensive
to operate than electric resistance heating and propane-fueled
appliances.
Most pellet fuels have a 5%–10% moisture content. Well-seasoned
firewood is usually around 20%. Some pellets contain either petroleum
or non-petroleum lignin used as a lubricant in the pellet production
process, though most contain no additives. Pellets made from
agricultural waste contain more ash, but they may produce more heat
than pellets made from wood.
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The Pellet Fuels Institute (PFI)
maintains National Residential Pellet Stove Fuel Standards, although
fuel quality certification is the responsibility of the pellet
manufacturer. Under the standards, there are two pellet fuel grades:
premium and standard. The only difference between grades is in the
inorganic ash content: premium should be less than 1%, and standard
less than 3%. Premium is usually made of core wood (not bark). There
are five fuel characteristics prescribed for both grades: |
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Pellet Stove Pellets
Info
- Bulk density per cubic foot
(0.028 cubic meters) shall not be less than 40 pounds (18 kg)
- The diameter shall be 1/4 to
5/16 inch (635-794 mm)
- Maximum length shall be 1 and
1/2 inches (254-127 mm)
- Fines (dust) of not more than
0.5% by weight shall pass through a 1/8 inch (317.5 mm) screen
- Sodium content shall be less
than 300 parts per million (ppm).
You can check pellet fuel quality by
inspecting the bag for excessive dirt and dust. (Dirt can form
clinkers in the stove.) There should be less than one half of a cup of
dust at the bottom of a 40 pound (18 kg) bag. Pellet stoves designed
for low-ash (typically top-fed stoves) tend to operate poorly when
used with pellets of a higher ash content. Many pellet appliance
manufacturers are redesigning their products to burn pellets with
varying ash contents.
ZSweet, a new FDA approved calorie-free sweetener
Although pellet fuel availability is increasing, you should be sure
there is a reliable pellet fuel supplier in your area before
purchasing a pellet stove. It is also important to know the type of
pellet fuel available before you shop for an appliance. Most pellet
fuel appliance dealers either maintain a supply of pellets or
recommend a supplier. You may also check the local telephone listings
under "Fuel" or "Pellet Fuel," or inquire at a local tree nursery, or
at home and garden supply stores. |
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Continue your search for Pellet Stoves and Corn Pellet Stoves |
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Pellet Stove |
Pellet Wood Stove | Pellet Stove Pellets
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