An Overview And History Of The Quadra Fire Company
Quadra Fire is an innovative company that produces clean, alternative-energy home heating products. They are committed to producing state-of-the-art hearth and heating products that are highly efficient and eco-friendly. Quadra Fire products consistently win awards for their groundbreaking use of technology to produce environmentally friendly, clean burning stoves and appliances. In addition, the company is lauded for its close partnerships with homeowners and builders as well as its outstanding treatment of and investment in employees.
- The company began as a response to the new regulations on stoves set in place by the EPA. While many wood stove producers either quit all together or began to look at catalytic combustion as a solution to the regulations, Quadra Fire founders Alan Trusler and Dan Henry decided to go a different route. They devised a system where the stoves would burn and re-burn gases and smoke in four separate zones without using catalytic combustion. This was a breakthrough for the wood-burning stove industry as it was one of the first non-catalytic stove models that was clean and energy efficient. In 1986 the duo patented the innovative Quadra-Burn system.
- Over the years, Quadra Fire products have continued to increase in popularity due to their easy-to-use, environmentally friendly home heating products. In 1990 the company introduced automatic, self-burning pellet appliances that had the added benefit of heat exchange and fuel feed systems for cleaner, more efficient heating. 1993 saw the release of high-efficiency gas burning stoves made of porcelain and in a range of colors. In 2006 Quadra Fire began producing stoves with the Load, Light, Live technology, which made their wood-burning stoves easy to use and extremely effective in heat output. Today, they continue to produce high quality products from their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Colville, Washington.
- Some further examples of the unique, forward thinking technologies of Quadra Fire include Automatic Combustion Control, a system that regulates the airflow in the hearth for better heat and efficient and clean burns. The FireBrick Technology uses a patented material made of ceramic fibers to produce the heat and light of a wood-burning fire without the mess of ashes and noise of a fan. And the Zone Heating system allows users to redirect heat to the places in the home that need it most, allowing homeowners to save money and energy.
- Products by Quadra Fire have also been officially lauded by organizations that recognize innovations and advances in design and technology. In 2003 the Quadra Fire model 7100 won the prestigious Best New Hearth Product at the Vesta Awards. Three years later, the Vesta Awards again honored the company for their Advanced Energy (AE) Mt. Vernon Insert, which won Best New Hearth Product, and the QFP44 model, which won Best Gas Fireplace. In addition, out of all the non-catalytic wood stoves tested by the EPA, Quadra Fire products are the cleanest burning.
- Quadra Fire is a member of Hearth & Home Technologies (HHT), a company that is dedicated to producing, developing and installing quality hearth products. The brand produces a range of products including stoves, inserts, fireplaces, mantels, outdoor products, accessories, and more. The stoves are mainly made from high quality steel, with design and style in mind. In addition, they are durable, reliable, and easy to use. And of course, each stove comes with the advanced Quadra-Burn technology to ensure that there are low particulate emissions, yet high efficiency and increased heat output.
- Perhaps one of the reasons for the company’s success is its far-reaching vision, and close connection to the people who are most closely involved with the product. Partners at Quadra Fire seek out homeowners and homebuilders for advice, suggestions and new ideas. In addition, employees are called members, and are considered valuable assets for the company in terms of investment, leadership and creativity. In fact, Forbes magazine and Fortune magazine have both recognized HHT as one of the top companies to work for in the United States.
Overall, Quadra Fire is a company that uses advanced technology and high quality materials to produce products that are both attractive and environmentally friendly. They consistently win awards and recognition for their cutting edge, energy efficient, clean home heating products, and continue to come out with creative ideas for clean burning non-catalytic appliances. Furthermore, the company prides itself on its close relationship with the consumers as well as its strong commitment to the interests of the employees.
For The Best Stoves Choose Breckwell Stoves
In the early 1980’s two entrepreneurial minded individuals, employed in what was then a struggling lumber industry, joined forces with a view to manufacturing and marketing the ultimate in pellet stoves. They did so having already established a corporate umbrella for the project, National Steelcrafters. These two individuals, Al Breckel and Dave Wells, also joined part of their surnames together to name their products Breckwell Stoves when, in the late 1980’s, they had created and tested the first pellet stove insert. Today, in terms of their products, the company offers the marketplace four quality and distinct types of stoves as well as their own vacuum product. In terms of their highly valued customers, they offer full technical support, excellent warranties and, generally, fully responsive customer support.
- In line with their first beginnings the company offers a range of eight different pellet stoves. These stoves are fueled by little pellets formed from sawdust and other timber by products. The owner of the product is guaranteed to enjoy the all consuming warmth and homely flames common to wood stoves. A completely smoke free product with the added functional benefits of automatic ignition and self feeding. Furthermore, as the pellets are CO2 neutral there is no harmful greenhouse gas effect associated with product.
- As well as specific pellet fuelled stoves the company also offers what it calls the Heartland Multi-Fuel Heater. This enables pellets to be used as the fuel or, alternatively, whole shelled corn. It comes with the tradition based styling a customer would expect. The easy to operate, competitively priced stove offers genuine value for money.
- The range of Breckwell Stoves doesn’t end there, though. Three different wood stove options are available, too. It is possible to choose either a free standing version or a fireplace insert one. With a glass door, automatically always clean, there is a captivating view to be had of flickering, dancing flames. In short, these are efficient, warm, clean burning, top quality wood stoves.
- To complete the full range of stoves on offer there are two types of gas stoves to choose from. With two out of three homes in the US opting for gas stoves it is not surprising that Breckwell offer two of their own splendid versions. Their Direct Vent Gas Stoves product enables the stove to be placed practically anywhere in a home without the use of a vertical chimney. Whether used in a kitchen, bedroom, living room, dining room, or even a mobile home, the direct version is ideal. Ideal because, above all, it does not pollute and degrade air quality due to the technicalities involved in the venting system. Air goes directly into the system and exhaust goes directly out all via an inner pipe.
Finally, in terms of stoves, there is the option of the B-Vent Gas Stoves. Based on a natural draft system this stove is easy to install and use and is comparatively inexpensive. Yet it still retains the quality craftsmanship Breckwell is famous for.
To comprehensively round off and complete the product range there is a company produced ash vacuum to help in stove maintenance upkeep. It is suitable whether pellets, wood or corn is used as the main fuel. It has a rust resistant tank with a capacity of 6.5 gallons.
It is evident, then, that since the early 1980’s the entrepreneurial enthusiasm and diligence of two partners has evolved into the formation of a quality stove manufacturing and marketing company. A company focused specifically on stoves yet, through its broad range of pellet, multi fuel, wood and gas of offers available, capable of satisfying any discerning prospective customer regardless of style and type preferences. And a fully responsive technical back up and customer support availability elevates the company, Breckwell Stoves, to the higher echelons of the industry.
Lopi Stoves Can Make For Comfortable And Elegant Homes
Heating a home is something that acquires a lot of importance in cold climates, and stoves are increasingly being used for this function, as opposed to olden day fireplaces. Lopi stoves are manufactured by Travis Industries and have a very firm hold in this market due to the constant innovation in their products.
History of Lopi Stoves
- If you look at the history of the Lopi stoves, you will find that it first started with a rock musician Kurt Rumens, who, in the year 1977, sold stoves to supplement his income. The feedback that he received from his customers encouraged him to suggest changes and new ideas for efficient heating, which his then employer did not take much heed of. He therefore used the ideas of efficiency and aesthetics which he developed himself, to start making Lopi stoves in 1979. Lopi was the pioneer for using clear ceramic glass and an airwash system of preheating to keep wood fires visible in the their stoves. They were the first manufacturers to receive an EPA certification for their non-catalytic wood stoves in 1984. They made further innovations in wood, gas and pellet burning stoves as well as inserts and fireplaces and are a brand that is famous for such hearth design products. Lopi was taken over by Travis Industries in 1988 along with another brand Avalon. Lopi stoves continue to be sold under their own brand name by the acquiring company.
Types of Stoves
- When you are in the market for a heating stove you will do well to examine all the alternatives that are available with Lopi stoves. You can use this stove for the heating of a new home or for remodeling an existing area in the home. You need to initially decide on the heating medium that is convenient for you to use for such a stove. You can get stoves that use gas, wood or pellets as a source of heat.
Gas Fueled Stoves
- One main advantage with gas fuel stoves is that they are independent of any need for electricity and can even work during power outages brought on by very inclement weather. The fuel is also very convenient to use once it is set up, and is also a fuel that burns very cleanly and with the least pollution. The models of Lopi stoves that use gas as a fuel can include those that actually look like the comforting wood fires. Modernity is addressed by heat controls that operate with a touch of a button and thermostat controls that can vary the heat output and regulate the flame.
Stoves that use Wood
- If you are still keen to go the old fashioned way and prefer food fires, Lopi stoves also have models that use this naturally renewable source for burning. Obviously this source is also independent of any electricity, and the aroma of burning wood and the sounds and sights that such fires bring is a constant delight. Lopi stoves that use wood have convection systems that circulate the heat. They ensure smokeless fires when the stove is started or wood is replenished. The faces of such stoves can have a number of designs that give a view of the fire, while the heat output can be very warming. It however does require a steady supply of wood, something that may not be very easy in cities.
Pellets Stoves are Convenient
- As an alternative one can go in for stoves that burn pellets as fuel. Such pellets are widely available and normally come from recycled waste wood that is quite safe to use. It is also very easy to store pellets as compared to wood. The heat producing source is also environmentally friendly and comes from natural and renewable sources. The main advantage of such stoves over wood stoves is that they are very easy to load. Pellets can also be of the type that burn for a long time, thus reducing any need for constant replenishment. Lopi stoves that use this fuel have thermostats and can be ignited automatically. They are quiet in operation.
Lopi stoves are very durable and made of materials that last a long time. There is a very wide variety of finishes and designs available that can fit in with any décor.
The Quality And Beauty Of Harmon Stoves
The Harman Stove Company was created more than three decades ago by Dane Harman an accomplished welder with an eye for great design. It all began in an effort to lower his family’s high heating bills. He created his own wood stove which immediately drew the attention of neighbors who began asking him to build one for them as well. It was not very long before the overwhelming demand for his Harmon stoves became so high that he had to move out of his garage work area. In order to keep up with production demand, the Harman Stove Company was created.
- Every model of Harmon stoves is created with the latest and most innovative technology available as well as excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. These quality stoves carry the pride of their founder. The beauty of Harman stoves, combined with a number of unique options and functions and a product that is easy to use, has firmly grounded this brand as an industry leader for today’s home heating solutions. From their humble beginnings back in 1979 to their newest and most advanced model, every Harman stove is crafted to exacting standards. These are stoves that are manufactured to provide true comfort and beauty and only the highest quality products bear the Harman name.
- Hearth & Home Technologies, or HHT, acquired Harman stoves in 2007 and retained its headquarters in the beautiful city of Halifax, Pennsylvania. The acquisition of the well-known and respected Harman brand has allowed these innovative stoves to now be offered not only domestically, but worldwide as well. HHT is the world’s largest manufacturer and producer of fireplace products and fireplaces. They continue to provide the superb quality and beauty these stoves were originally founded on. In fact, HHT currently holds several patents and utilize award winning technology in the wide selection of products they manufacture.
- Hearth & Home Technologies is now producing a complete array of fireplaces, stoves and hearth products, all designed to meet the needs of today’s consumers. They offer wood burning fireplaces as well as electric, gas and even pellet fireplace designs. In addition to the wide range of fireplace options, they currently have 36 different types of stoves available to meet the needs of homeowners around the world. However, HHT offers more than just fireplaces and stoves, they also have a great selection of inserts, hearths and other heating needs that can help consumers heat their homes while making them as attractive as possible. In fact, HHT offers a complete line of heating options including central heating systems that burn corn, coal and a variety of alternative biomass fuels.
- Harman brand stoves are only one of the stoves offered by HHT, other industry leaders offered by this world renown company include Quadra-Fire, Heatilator, Heat & Glo, Outdoor Lifestyles and many others. With such a wide selection of heating options to choose from, the ongoing innovations and product selections from this company, their future as an industry leader is certain to be secure.
- In fact, Hearth & Home Technologies continues to strive for innovative methods to provide solutions for all types of home heating needs. They incorporate the latest technology and state of the art materials into their designs and manufacturing processes in order to ensure the continued satisfaction of their global market base. Their commitment to providing top-quality products that are as reliable as they are functional is always a priority in every product they create. However, even with a focus on innovation, technological advances and company growth, they always maintain their primary focus on making homes more comfortable and convenient.
- There are a couple of factors that certainly help contribute to the continued growth and popularity of the many products offered by HHT. For one thing, they are always looking for creative and innovative ways in which to bring not only comfort, but convenience to the homes they service. Additionally, they strive to provide a healthier and safer environment, both in the home as well as outside the home. With clean burning stoves and fireplaces, as well as the option to choose biomass fuels and other natural fuel sources, HHT continues to be a leader for today’s heating solutions as well as healthier lifestyles.
The solutions offered for today’s heating problems can be found in the vast array of innovative and quality products that have been designed with unique and distinctive features to make them not only convenient and comfortable, but also safe and efficient. HHT partners closely with home builders as well as homeowners in an effort to help them create a beautiful and functional solution to their heating needs. It is certainly clear that they are striving to keep creating the best products for today’s homeowner.
Top 5 Quality Brand Pellet Stoves
We all know the advantages of wood pellet stoves—they do not need to be refilled daily, they are eco-friendly, they heat by convection and are therefore safer for children, they use waste wood pellets as fuel, they do not require frequent daily cleaning and so on and so forth. If your pellet stove also comes with an automatic starter, thermostat and back-up battery power, then there can be nothing better to warm your home during those cruel chilled winter weeks.
It is not surprising then that pellet stoves are becoming increasingly popular. More and more people are opting for them over other methods of heating. As a result of this, many companies have come up with a huge line-up of wood pellet stoves. But not all of these companies sell quality products. For a new buyer, it can be confusing to decide which company to trust. To help such buyers, here is a list of top 5 quality brand pellet stoves —these are companies that have been around for a while and which know their business well. You can unblinkingly trust them for the quality of their products.
Harman Stove Company:
- With an experience of 25 years, Harman tops our list of best wooden pellet stove brands. Harman stoves are built by experts and enjoy enormous popularity among consumers. Built with cutting-edge technology, Harman stoves have many modern features that make their usage simpler, easier and safer.
Quadra-Fire:
- Quadra-fire, with its reliable, eco-friendly and easy-to-use products, comes a close second in this list. The company knows its trade well with an experience of two decades. If you sign up on their site, you get $100 off on your next purchase.
Breckwell:
- If you want an elegant simplicity in your stove, along with great quality, then Breckwell is a name you must seriously consider. The company offers a limited lifetime warranty on its products—which is an indication of the high-quality of its products. They have an experience of more than twenty years.
Lennox Hearth Products:
- Established in 1994, Lennox Heart Products are based in Nashville, Tennessee and manufacture a huge range of indoor and outdoor fireplaces and stoves.
Avalon:
- A brand of Travis Industries—the largest privately-owned stove and fireplace company in America—Avalon’s pellet stoves are decent and durable. You can be sure of the quality and customer support if you choose Avalon.
(Other honorable mentions: United States Stove Company, Enviro, Jamestown Pellet Stoves.)
While buying wood pellet stoves, keep in mind the size of the space to be warmed. Also, prefer an aesthetically-pleasing stove that suits the interiors of your house. It is recommended that you buy from the internet if you want to enjoy discounts up to hundreds of dollars.
Types of wood used in making wood pellets
There are many different types of wood which are used in the production of wood pellets for stoves and fireplaces along with numerous other things which can affect how they burn. Wood pellets are certainly energy-efficient as well as clean-burning, which is why so many people have stoves which work off of them. Since not all wood pellets are the same, it is important to take a close look at which types there are and what that means in terms of how they work in a stove. Everything from the moisture content to the ash content of the wood pellets can affect how one of these stoves function along with just how efficient they are.
- The typical standard-grade wood pellets which can be found in most residential pellet stoves usually have an ash content which falls around 1-3 percent total. Premium grade pellets have an ash content which is closer to 1 percent and below. The higher the ash content of the pellets, the larger the residue is going to be after they have burned. This means that you have to do more maintenance on the stove in the form of cleaning after every use.
- Another important factor to take into consideration when choosing certain wood pellets for your stove is the moisture content. Wood pellets that have low moisture content tend to burn very hot. You will find that the average moisture content for most wood pellets is between 5 and 10 percent total, according to the U.S Department of Energy’s statistics. The average moisture content of the average wood pellet is actually far better than a majority of fire wood which has an average of 20 percent moisture. This means that fire wood does not burn nearly as hot as wood pellets tend to.
- There are also many different species of wood when it comes to these pellets, including both softwood and hardwood varieties. Hardwood and softwood pellets can both offer a very high heat content for every pound, as long as the overall moisture content is fairly low. Moisture content is without a doubt one of the most important things when it comes to choosing the right type of wood pellets for your stove at home. You will want to know that the pellets you get will be able to burn hot enough in the stove.
- Additives are yet another factor which is crucial to consider when shopping for the right wood pellets. One of the other reasons why wood pellets are very popular for use in stoves in people’s homes is that they contain a very minimal amount of additives with a few natural exceptions such as lignin which is found in most wood. You will find that other additives such as petroleum or non-petroleum-based adhesives are included in different forms of wood in order to bind them.
Trace minerals are important as well, because they have been known to cause clinkering which is the accumulation of ash which can in turn easily clog up parts of the stove that need to be completely clear in order to function properly. For this reason alone it is important to consistently check the bottom of the bag for dust because it can help keep clinkering to an absolute minimum. Keep in mind that truly high-quality bags of pellets should no less than just half a cup of dust for every 40 pound bag. As long as you remember all of these things when going about purchasing your wood pellets, you should end up with the right ones to put in your stove so you can stay warm all winter long.
Brief History of the Pellet Stove
To this day pellet stoves are more common than you might think, simply because they use biomass materials for fuel and burn completely clean. Some of the different materials that these stoves use include corn kernels, sawdust, wood chips, and cherry pits which are eventually compressed into small pellets. Although these stoves are incredibly popular right now with the eco-friendly, they are by no means new. There is a very long and detailed history behind pellet stoves which dates back many years. The modern pellet stove as most of us know it however was first made back in the 1970s during the oil crises which was going on at the time.
- During the oil crises of the 1970s, Americans were looking for fuel-efficient heating systems that would cut down or completely eliminate the need for oil. This is in turn how pellet stoves came to be. The original pellet stove was created back in the 1930s during the time of the Great Depression. The reason that these pellet stoves did not catch on very quickly and become used widespread is because of the fact that during the 20th century fossil fuels were in abundance so there was not a lot of demand for biomass heating systems like these stoves.
- The primary reason that the modern pellet stove became popular is because during the 1970s, Americans had to start looking for more fuel-efficient ways to heat their homes as well as businesses. The pellet stove as we know it today was introduced as a way to burn recycled materials while giving off a significant amount of heat. Because pellet stoves are able to burn cleanly, they are extremely popular with those who are more eco-friendly than others. This means that pellet stoves create less carbon dioxide when they are used because of the fact that they burn recycled materials like wood chips and corn kernels.
- Carbon dioxide is given off by many different things, including cars and various types of stoves which do not use recycled materials in order to work. This is one of the primary reasons for global warming, which is a gradual increase of the earth’s overall temperature due to the disappearance of the ozone layer. Pellet stoves started becoming much more popular in the 1980s, though their popularity did start to decline when the price of oil and natural gas started to go down.
- The pellet stove started to enjoy more popularity in 2005 though, mostly because of the increasing energy costs. Pellet warehouses found themselves shorthanded due to the overwhelming popularity. When the pellet stove has been popular, it has almost always been because of demand which has been driven up because of increased energy prices. People are always looking for the best, cheapest, and most efficient way to heat their homes and businesses. Often times pellet stoves have provided people with a way to do just that.
From the time they were first created and introduced to the public in the 1930s to modern day, pellet stoves have always been a clean-burning and efficient alternative to oil and natural gas stoves. Today energy costs continue to increase, making the pellet stove more popular than ever before. Many people who value alternative energy sources favor pellet stoves because they do not harm the environment in the same way that many others do with the production of carbon dioxide. For now the pellet stove is enjoying a fair amount of popularity, mostly because of the fact that energy costs are still fairly high and with the state of the economy people are looking for any way to save money while still having an efficient heat source.
Pellet Stoves on the Rise
I have wanted to write a post about this for awhile, but just never got the chance to. Over the last few years I have started seeing more and more places selling wood pellets. What does that mean? Well simply it means that more and more people are using Pellet Stoves to heat their homes and for good reason. Pellet stoves are more efficient, cheaper, and a lot easier to use and maintain. Take a look at the picture below and you will see what sparked me to write this post about pellet stoves being on the rise.
There it was. As I walked up to the local Home Depot there was a huge with Wood Pellets for sale. The prices seem fairly reasonable. I wanted to go investigate a little bit more, but I had already got a late start to the day and had about a million other projects at home that needed to get done. I am not sure what quality or brand the pellets were, but I am sure they were just fine.
Well that is my 2 cents. It just seems lately everywhere I turn I am seeing more and more places selling wood pellets. Have you seen this or is it just me? Am I just obsessed with wood pellets? 
Best Pellet Stove Insert
Best Pellet Stove Inserts 2011
There are many different options when it comes to purchasing a pellet stove system for your house. One way to utilize the efficiency of a pellet stove without installing a new pellet stove itself is by installing what is called a pellet stove insert. This insert works with an existing fireplace in your home in order to provide heat for a room or even an entire floor. Pellet stove inserts are a smart choice because they burn cleaner, can have their temperature regulated and they use a blower system to heat a room. They are also fairly easy to install, making them an affordable option for many people.
- When a person is shopping for a pellet stove insert, it is hard to determine what system is best. There are many options to consider when choosing one for your home, such as the size of the room it will be in, the climate where you live and how easy it is to find and purchase pellets for your system. Depending on the size of your fireplace, you might have a few more options than someone who only has a small fireplace to work with. No matter what size your fireplace is, though, there are a lot of benefits in going to the pellet stove insert you should realize when you are researching the products.
- The benefits are plentiful, no matter what type of pellet stove insert you chose. The stoves burn cleaner and do not release any residue in to the air like a traditional fireplace will. When you have a fireplace, smoke, ash and any chemicals on the wood will be released in to the house, when the doors are open or just as the pollutants work through the screen and glass covering the fireplace system. A pellet stove insert has no releases in to the house because it uses an auger system to get the wood in to the burning part of the stove. Any emissions it has are sealed within the unit and travel up through the exhaust system (flue) and outside.
- The heat being emitted from the unit is more controlled. With most fireplaces, you throw wood on it and it just burns. A hard wood log will burn hotter and last longer than a soft wood log will. However, once that log is burning, you have no control on how much heat it will release in to the room. When the fireplace has no blower system associated with it, the heat is only radiated out through the doors or open screen as it burns. The temperature could fluctuate up and down, with most of the heat going straight up the flue and being wasted. A pellet stove insert will capture the heat and send it all out through the blower at the constant temperature that the thermostat is set at. There won’t be cool periods or warm periods as a different log burns. The room will stay the same, regulated temperature because the pellets are being fed at a consistent rate through an auger and the blower controls the air going out.
- Another great benefit of using a pellet stove insert over a traditional pellet stove is that it takes up much less space. A free-standing unit will take up several precious feet, no matter what room it is installed in. An insert simply attaches and works with a fireplace that is already in your home, requiring no new space. The stove part might stick out a foot or two, but it will usually rest on the existing mantle or tile in front of a fireplace. There won’t be a section of the room just for the stove, since it is built in to the fireplace and flue system in your room.
Fuel Options
- With a pellet stove insert, there are also different options in some models on the type of pellets you can burn. There are wood, corn and even mixed style pellets which will work in many systems produced in the United States. In the Midwest, corn based pellets are popular because of the proximity of the corn fields planted in the region. Corn is made in to pellets that burn as hot and as consistent as wood pellets do. Wood pellets are easier to get and less expensive in the northwest and northeast region of the United States, where the forests are denser and logging is a main industry to support the area. Mixed fuel pellets are an option anywhere, since they combine types of fuel in an affordable pellet.
- Pellets are considered to be a renewable fuel source for several reasons. Corn is quickly and easily grown every year. Making corn in to pellets also uses the waste products that are produced when corn is processed in to food or animal feed. Wood waste can also be used in the manufacture of pellets, so trees that are cut down are used for other items, but then the sawdust and waste and saved and used alone or in combination with corn to make a pellet for the stove. In certain cases, paper is even being tested as a pellet. The paper is taken from recycled materials or paper scraps that would normally not be used for anything else.
Size Options
- There are many different sizes of inserts available, so you can choose one that will work with the opening currently in your home. And even if you only have a small fireplace opening, you can still get a pellet stove insert that is efficient and can heat the entire room or floor of your house where it is located. Smaller doesn’t mean less power when you are dealing with a pellet stove insert. The small, medium and large sized units can all burn the pellets at the same set temperature. The only variable will be how large the hopper is and how often you will need to refill it with bags of pellets. Some small units have as big of a hopper as the large units do, so you might not even realize a difference.
Clean Burning
- There is a little bit of ash residue when pellets are burned. That ash is collected in an ash bin located somewhere with the pellet stove insert, either on the side or the front bottom. Every few days or weeks, the ash bin should be checked to make sure it isn’t overflowing. To empty the ash bin, simply pull out the bin or drawer and dispose of properly outside. Once it is empty, you simply insert it back in to the unit and you can begin burning the pellets again.
- Some units will burn less ash than others because of their clean design. The EPA has rated the units which burn cleanly, which then allows you to know how clean the air is that your family is breathing. Some models can burn as little as .4 grams per hour, while other models can burn 3 to 4.5 grams per hour. Fireplaces will also release ash and smoke in to the air, so any type of pellet stove insert will be cleaner than having a traditional fireplace open and burning in your house during the day.
Safety
- A pellet stove insert is safer than a traditional fireplace for a couple of reasons. One listed above, is the lack of toxins being released in to the air with the screens and open door of a fireplace. Another safety concern is when there are children or pets in the home. A child can easily open the doors of a fireplace and get in to the open fire and get burned. With an insert, there isn’t any open flame where the child – or even a pet – can get to. The doors on the stove inserts latch and aren’t easy to get open by little hands.
- A pellet stove insert is also safer for your house in general. How many times have you seen a fire in the fireplace, but there wasn’t a blower to send the heat out, so the doors were left open? With the doors open on a burning fire, you run the risk of having sparks fly out or logs roll off the rack as the burn and shift. A rolling log can cause burns to the rug or the carpet. Sparks can melt the carpet or the rug outside of the fireplace area as well. And both have the potential to start the house on fire if no one is close by and watching. Burns from sparks or rolling logs can also happen to people who are sitting close by and not necessarily paying attention to the fire.
Summers Heat 2000 SF Pellet Fireplace Insert
This unit is very popular because it heats a large amount of space, up to 2,000 square feet, which is larger than the average sized home in the United States. This unit can be built to work with a pre-fabricated or a masonry (brick) fireplace, which are the most common two kinds of fireplaces.
The Summers Heat system has a hopper capacity of more than one bag of pellets, meaning on cool days you won’t have to keep loading up the system. It will burn for hours on end and provide a steady level of heat in to the room with minimal effort. There won’t be carrying in of logs all day and then opening the doors and risking a burn in order to add more fuel to the fire. When the pellets do need to be added, it is in the side of the system, away from the flame source.
- Another reason why this unit is very popular is because it is one of the cleanest burning systems available. It is rated in the Top 20 Cleanest EPA certified pellet stove list. There are virtually no emissions being released in to the air of the house from the pellet burning unit. When there are small children in the house, you can rest assured that their lungs will be safe and protected from any toxins in the air.
- The heat from the system can be controlled with a thermostat. There is also a blower with multi-speed fans to bring heat in to the room or floor you are working with. The air can be directed to any location of a room, but it will always remain steady with where the thermostat is set at.
- The Summers Heat model is a great option for people who love to be environmentally friendly. The model is efficient and can heat a normal sized house efficiently with little effort other than pouring a bag of pellets in the hopper and walking away.
Lopi Pioneer Bay 
The Lopi Pioneer Bay system works for up to 1,600 square feet for heating. The unit is very efficient and one bag of pellets loaded in can power the pellet burner for up to 35 hours without having to refill it. (Depending on the temperature and the region where you live, the hours may be considerably less). The unit has the ability to have a thermostat attached to it, so the temperature in the room can be regulated easily.
The Pioneer Bay model is very efficient and burns cleanly. There are very little emissions released in to the air surrounding the unit, meaning your family will be safe to breathe the air and not have any toxins invading their space.
- The Lopi brand proudly claims their units are very green, since one bag of pellets can burn up to 35 hours, depending on how high the thermostat is set at. The pellets are a renewable fuel source, which doesn’t deplete supplies of gas or other fuels in the region.
- Pellet stove inserts to produce an ash residue when it burns, but there is very little with each bag poured in the system. A large capacity ash pan is on the bottom of the unit that can be pulled out and emptied easily. When the ash pan is empty, it simply gets pushed back in to place to collect more ash when you burn pellets again.
- This stove is a great option because the trim can be black, gold or even pewter in color to match the décor in any room. It takes up very little space as it attached to the front of any fireplace existing in your home and requires little other space. This option is a great choice for modest sized houses because it is efficient and can produce heat for hours on end without having to refill the hopper all the time.
Quadra Fire Mount Vernon AE Insert
This pellet insert is popular because of its large size and intricate design. It looks like a fancy fireplace, but has the efficiency and smart design of a pellet stove insert. The Mount Vernon unit is 32” wide, making it only a practical solution for houses with large fireplaces built in to the kitchen or the living room of a house. The large sized unit can heat up to 3,075 square feet of a home or cabin.
A wall thermostat that works with the pellet stove insert can control the temperature by one setting. The temperature is raised or lowered by a digital thermostat, just like one associated with a traditional forced air furnace. The Mount Vernon unit is popular because it has the option for the vent or blower to blow air upward, instead of just out the front, like what most other units have. If the stove insert is in a room with a ceiling fan, the air can be blown up and circulated easily through the house because of the fan. For homes with multiple stories, it will also heat them evenly and easily with the vents facing upwards.
- The unit can be black, gold or nickel plated to match the color scheme in any room of the house. A log like ceramic structure can also be added to keep the look of a traditional fireplace within the front of the pellet stove burner. For people who have large homes to heat, this is a very practical and smart option for home heating.
Harman P351
The Harman P351 claims to be the cleanest burning pellet stove on the market today. It has not yet been rated by the EPA, but the company claims the stove only releases .4 emissions when it burns, meaning it is very clean and efficient. Other models can release between 2 and 4 or higher grams per hour, so you can see where the comparison lies. There are virtually no toxins released in to the air around this pellet burner, because it is sealed tight as the pellets burn and produce heat for the home.
The P351 unit is compact and can fit in to small openings for pre-existing fireplaces. The P351 can heat up to 1,520 square feet, depending on the region where the home is located. Colder regions will heat the same amount of space, however, more pellets will be required to maintain the thermostat setting as compared to a moderate climate location. The Harman P351 will burn corn, wood and mixed pellets with the same consistency. The capacity on this hopper is very large, as it will hold 62 pounds of pellets in the reserve system before it is measured in through an auger in to the burner.
- A smaller model of the P351 is also available to heat a room or a home. The hopper size is smaller, with it only holding 41.5 pounds of pellets. Both the large and the small units require the same sized opening of 19.5 inches by 24 inches tall. The large model is great for homes located in the northern regions where snow and cold weather happen longer throughout the year. The smaller model is perfect for smaller homes or ones in areas that have mild winters where extended periods of high heat aren’t required.
- The Harman also has a very quiet fan, making it perfect to place in a room where the TV is watched, simply because it won’t disturb anyone watching a sports game or a TV program. The unit can be placed in any room, the thermostat programmed and the hopper full and there will be hours of controlled heat for that room. The Harman P351 is popular because it is reliable and easy to use.
Harman Accentra
The Harman Accentra model is a large unit that produces consistent heat through a beautiful looking design that rivals a fireplace. The Accentra model has a window opening in the center that shows ceramic logs that actually look like they burn, simulating what a real fireplace looks like. The logs aren’t actually burning, but the pellets slide in behind the logs and burn.
- The Accentra model is also popular because it can be installed in homes with zero clearance. That means, a chimney system isn’t needed when you have the special kit to convert the exhaust out of the house. You can take advantage of the heat produced within a unit without having a large fireplace already in your home. The pellet insert stove can heat an area up to 1,400 square feet in size.
- A large capacity hopped holds up to 57 pounds of pellets. The pellets can be corn, wood or a combination of fuel materials. The burn length will be between 20 and 57 hours, depending on the climate in your area and the temperature set on the thermostat. Colder winter regions will require more pellets in order to keep the temperature up in a room.
- A thermostat can control the temperature in the room easily. When the temperature from the room exceeds what the thermostat is set for, the unit will stop burning all on its own. The self-regulated system will not waste pellets and burn when it does not need to in your house.
- An ash tray is located at the bottom front of the unit for easy clean up.
A few more things before installing a pellet stove insert
- Before you purchase and have a pellet stove insert installed in your house, carefully check the clearances you have within your chimney and what is required for the model you want to install. The clearances aren’t a place where you can improvise because the safety of your family could be at stake. The clearances are made so there is proper ventilation for the burning unit.
- Another thing to do before a pellet stove insert is installed in to the home is to check with your insurance agent. Some homeowner policies will need to be adjusted when you go from a traditional fireplace to an enclosed pellet stove insert. You might get a break on your rates since the unit is enclosed and safer from fire danger because of pellets and not logs. The unit is also safer when there are children in the house, because there isn’t the risk of burns since there isn’t an open flame where they can get to. Therefore, damages against you from a burn to a friend or family member are less because the open fire is eliminated.
- When you aren’t sure of what type of system will work best for your home, check with the authorized dealer who sells the product. They can give you the exact specifications for each model you are considering. They might even be able to suggest something else that you might not have even been aware of. There are lots of different options when it comes to pellet stove inserts, so there will be amodel to fit your needs. All you need to do is be able to find it and get it installed so you can have the regulated heat you are seeking from that fireplace opening.
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Pellet Stove Pellets
If you are in need of pellet stove pellets, then you will want to know where you can buy them from and how to get the best deal so you don’t spend too much money. Since there has recently been an increase in the number of people who are deciding to get pellet-burning stoves, there is a big demand for the pellets that fuel them. You can purchase these small pellets at your local bulk supply store, such as Sam’s Club or Walmart. Getting them in bulk is an especially good idea if you want to save money and have more for your stove. The last thing you want is to run out right when you need them the most.
Why Choose Pellet Stoves
One of the reasons that more and more people are choosing stoves that work off pellets is because the price of stoves that work from oil and natural gas is constantly going up. Anyone who wants to save on energy costs each month during winter will want to think carefully about whether or not they are in need of such a stove. The great thing is that most of the time you can find these pellets in 40 pound bags for a relatively low cost.
Certain stores sell these in sizes of around one ton for less than $200 dollars, so you will certainly want to look around and see what all of your options are before you decide on any one place to purchase them from. Remember that since you are buying a lot of them at once, you should be getting a reduced price. Bulk stores are popping up all over the country, and they carry all the supplies you will need for your stove, including pellets. Since they are becoming more popular, the prices are getting better and better because of competition between stores.
Calculating How Much Pellets You Will Need?
Anyone who needs pellet stove pellets should know around how much they are going to need each season. While this number may vary depending on the stove you have, you can go through as many as three tons. This can average out to be almost $600, so it would be very wise on your part to find a store that charges the bare minimum for what you need. The good thing about these pellets is that you will be able to get low-quality ones for much cheaper than other kinds that really aren’t any better in terms of how they burn.
There are also plenty of places online that sells these pellets in bulk. You will be able to do a simple search on the internet and come up with multiple results to look through. Make sure you take all the time you need to find an answer to your pellet stove pellets problem. This way you won’t have to spend more than is necessary on your stove pellets. If you end up with leftover pellets at the end of the season it’s okay, because you can always use them next winter for your stove.
