Pellet Stove Review

Harman XXV

This 50,000-BTU pellet stove, made by one of the top brands, is rated for heating an area up to 1,700 square feet. It can handle wood pellets of any grade, and the 65-pound hopper and large ash tray minimize… maintenance. The stove works automatically — self-igniting and with a superior computerized temperature control for consistent heat. An optional battery backup keeps it running if the electricity fails. The attractive classic design includes a large viewing window. The stove is extremely efficient, with minimal emissions, and carries a six-year warranty that covers the whole stove.

Quadra-Fire Mt. Vernon AE

This 60,200-BTU stove automatically adjusts to burn a wide range of biomass fuels, including sunflower seeds, wheat, corn and various grades of pellets. This lets you hedge your bets when it comes to fuel prices and… supplies. It’s rated for heating up to 3,800 square feet, and the 81-pound hopper and programmable thermostat minimize the attention it needs. You can use an optional cord to hook it to a 12-volt car battery to keep the stove going during a power outage. Smaller Quadra-Fire multi-fuel stoves are also available, all with lifetime warranties.

View the review here:

http://www.consumersearch.com/pellet-and-wood-stoves

Campbell’s Stoves can provide delivery and installation for the Harman XXV and the Quadra-Fire MT. Vernon AE. Call us today 1-866-590-6515.

Selecting a Pellet Stove

Much like any other appliance, it is important to spend the time to choose the right pellet stove to fit your needs. Before you make your final decision, visit a specialty retailer for experienced advice. A specialty retailer is a trained pellet stove expert. He or she can arrange for the safe and reliable installation of a pellet stove by a certified professional installer. Specialty retailers are also the best source of information about how to correctly operate a pellet stove and what is required for proper maintenance.

TYPE: Pellet stoves are classified by the amount of heat they generate – high versus low output.
SIZE: The physical size of a pellet stove is less important than the heat-generating capacity of the stove and the size of the fuel hopper. A small stove can heat a large space but might not hold more than a day’s worth of pellets.
LOCATION: Pellet stoves require less installation space than other types of stoves and can be located as little as three inches from a wall, depending on the model. A pellet stove must also be installed a specific distance away from combustible surfaces and materials, such as drapes and doors, and be placed on noncombustible surface such as a hearth pad.
VENTING: Since pellet stoves are power vented they can be installed almost anywhere in home, including through the ceiling, through a wall, or into an existing masonry chimney as long as the installation includes at least three feet of vertical chimney. Pellet stove chimneys are unique and are usually three or four inches in diameter. The chimney is also lined with stainless steel.
FEATURES: There are three different types of ignition systems available in pellet stoves: standard (requiring the use of starter gel and a match); self-starting (where the user pushes a button to start the stove or uses a remote control); and fully automatic (where the stove is controlled by a thermostat and cycles on and off depending on the heat level selected). Other optional features include self-cleaning glass, self-cleaning burn pots, and deep pedestal ash pans. Some stove models even have battery back-up systems for when the power goes out (since pellet stoves require electricity to operate).
STYLE: Full bay view doors and windows trimmed in gold or black are examples of the styling options available for pellet stoves. Porcelain or cast iron finishes are also available options with many models of pellet stoves.
INSTALLATION: To ensure the safe and reliable installation of a pellet stove, the HPBA recommends that people use a specialty retailer and a certified professional installer to perform installation tasks. In addition to assessing the construction of a house, the professionals will obtain the necessary building permits and make sure that the installation meets all local and state codes. In some situations, the chosen installation area needs to accommodate a hearth pad underneath the stove.
MAINTENANCE: Pellet stoves are simple to maintain, but routine tasks must be performed regularly to ensure proper function. These tasks include emptying the ash drawer, cleaning the burn pot, hopper, ash traps and glass, and scheduling professional service inspections each year before the start of the cold season. In addition, the HPBA recommends that chimneys and vents be inspected annually (and cleaned as necessary) by a chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS: Two grades of wood pellet fuel are available for pellet stoves: premium and standard. The difference between the two is their percentage of inorganic ash content. There is significantly less stove maintenance with the use of premium pellet fuel. There are also pellet stoves that can burn pellets with corn, a growing trend in home heating.
AVERAGE COST: The price of the appliance itself is only part of the total cost of owning a pellet stove. Other considerations are the cost of the chimney and installation, annual fuel costs and annual maintenance.

State of the Hearth Industry Report

The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) has conducted the Fireplace and Stove Attitude and Usage Study on a biennial
basis since 2002. The State of the Hearth Industry Report reflects select information from the 2008 hearth shipment report, the 2008
Attitude and Usage Study and public data from other industry groups as referenced.

http://www.hpba.org/fileadmin/News_Releases/2009_Expo/HPBA_-_SOTH_Fact_Sheet_2009_Final.pdf

COST OF LIVING

	1950	1970	1990	2009	DIFFERENCE	% INCREASE
BREAD/loaf	$0.12	$0.25	$0.70	$2.39	$2.27	1891.61%
LARGE EGGS/dz	$0.49	$0.59	$1.00	$2.89	$2.40	498.80%
MILK/gallon	$0.82	$1.35	$2.78	$3.80	$2.98	363.41%
GROUND BEEF/lb	$0.30	$0.70	$0.89	$2.39	$2.09	696.67%
GAS/gallon	$0.18	$0.36	$1.34	$3.25	$3.07	1705.56%
NEW CAR/avg	$1,510.00	$3,450.00	$16,950.00	$26,500.00	$24,990.00	1654.97%
WAGES/avg	$3,210.00	$9,400.00	$28,960.00	$35,438.00	$32,228.00	1003.99%

Many people today are facing foreclosure on their homes. Others are struggling to just keep food on the table. Everyone feels the crunch that the economy has put on us. The items listed above are just a few items we need everyday. Three of the six items have a larger percentage increase than our wages. No wonder why it’s getting increasingly difficult to pay our bills.

However, we can battle inflation. How? Many of us have cut back on items not necessary to sustain life, such as, cable tv, high priced toys, fast food and travel. We have adjusted our thermostats and put on a sweater. Making purchases with cash instead of credit has made us more careful with spending habits.

How can Campbell’s Stoves help? Our wood and pellet stoves can keep your home warm. Come on in to our showroom in Butler, MO., and see the Mt. Vernon AE in action. Our trained sales staff will suggest a stove that will fit your unique needs.  If you have difficulty in getting around, we can come to you with our mobile unit. To help with the cash flow problem we have integrated a new layaway plan, see the post below for more information.

6 months same as cash layaway plan

Serious about saving money on your heating bill with an energy efficient appliance, but have trouble saving the money for a lump sum purchase?  Take advantage of our layaway program.

10% non-refundable deposit

6 months same as cash

Layaways longer than 6 months are subject to a modest finance charge to cover price increases.

Pay your balance off by 2010 and qualifying appliances are eligible for a 30% tax credit.

MAINTENANCE TASKS PERFORMED BY PROFESSIONAL

Most warranties require an annual cleaning. Annual maintenance tasks are essential to peak stove performance, and extends the life of your appliance. Having your chimney cleaned and inspected annually reduces the risk of a chimney fire. Give our professionals a call to have your appliance maintained. So when the winter cold sets in you are ready to go.

So, what can you expect from your professional? Here is a checklist:

• Cleaning and  inspect  the venting system
• Reseal venting as needed
• Clean and Lubricate the motors and fans
• Check gaskets on fire chamber door, ash pan door, and hopper lid to assure a tight seal
• Empty ash traps and clean exhaust passages
• Clean hopper and fuel feed system
• Clean heat exchanger system
• Verifying and adjusting the stove settings
• Verify mechanical and electric components are in good condition
• Give professional advice on improving stove performance and operating tips, and  advice on fuel

Save Money With Zone Heating

http://www.hpba.org/index.php?id=268&no_cache=1&sword_list[]=zone&sword_list[]=heating

Chimney saftey & maintenance

http://www.homesaver.com/content/chimney_safety_maintenance.aspx

Home Fire Statistics

http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Home_Heating_Fact_Sheet.pdf

7 secrets to a safe chimney

http://www.homesaver.com/articles/secret_seven.aspx