Save Money by Heating With a Pellet Stove

LESLIE: Rafael in Pennsylvania is updating the kitchen. How can we help you?

RAFAEL: Well, I actually wasn’t updating a kitchen. I was updating my house.

TOM: OK.

LESLIE: Oh.

RAFAEL: I was considering – we have electric heat in our new home and we wanted to supplement that with a pellet stove.

TOM: OK.

LESLIE: Oh, excellent.

RAFAEL: So, we’re wondering is that a good value and is it going to add any value to our home and how practical it is to actually go that route.

TOM: Well, it may or may not add value to your home, but I’ll tell you this; you’re certainly going to spend a lot less heating your home compared to electric heat which is very expensive. The only issue and the only common complaint that I’ve heard about pellet stoves is the availability of the fuel. So as long as you make sure, Rafael, that wherever you purchase that stove, that you’ve confirmed a solid …

LESLIE: That they’re also a distributor.

TOM: Yeah, and there’s a reliable availability of the types of pellets that you’re going to use to fuel that. And I see no reason not to do that; especially when you have an electric heated house, which is absolutely the most expensive way to heat a house.

RAFAEL: Wow. Sounds like it’s the way to go, then.

TOM: Definitely, definitely.

LESLIE: Yeah, I have a friend who has one at the house that they keep in Cape Cod. And they go out there all season long and this is the primary way that the home is heated and they love it.

TOM: Yeah, is your electric heat radiant baseboards or is it through forced hot air?

RAFAEL: It’s radiant baseboard …

TOM: Ah.

RAFAEL: … with individual thermostats in each room.

TOM: Oh, man. Is this is a vacation home?

RAFAEL: No, it’s our primary home.

TOM: I’m telling you man, it’s going to cost you a ton of money to heat that house. So, this is a really smart thing for you to do; very, very smart. Also, look at all the other things that could be adding to the heating bill. You know, make sure you have plenty of insulation; check your windows; weather stripping; stuff like that because radiant baseboard electric heat is absolutely, number one, the most expensive and this is going to save you a lot of money. OK, Rafael?

RAFAEL: Wow, great. Thank you very much.

TOM: You’re welcome. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.