Are Pellet Stoves Safe? Yes, If You Follow These Steps

Are pellet stoves safe? These alternative heating sources are powered by burning wood, so it makes sense that you might worry about safety. After all, whenever there’s combustion, there’s a chance of fire. However, pellet stoves are perfectly safe when you install them properly, have them inspected, and keep up with regular maintenance. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your pellet stove safe.

Pellet Stove Potential Hazards

Pellet stoves burn small nuggets of compressed wood and distribute the heat through convection, making them a much tidier way of heating your home than a traditional wood-burning stove. 

In your stove, an auger feeds the pellet fuel from the hopper into the combustion chamber, where it’s burned. The small amount of ash that it produces is deposited into a drawer for easy removal. A blower pulls cool air across the heat exchanger and then distributes it throughout the room.

Pellet stoves have a number of safety features, including limit switches, thermocouples, and temperature probes, to keep your home safer while you enjoy a toasty fire. But there are still risks, especially with poorly maintained pellet stoves. Without regular and thorough maintenance, pellet stoves can do the following:

• Fires

• Smoldering ash

• Air pollutants

• Carbon monoxide leaks

• Contaminant buildup

• Smoke damage

However, proper installation and regular maintenance massively decrease these risks.

Symptoms of an Unsafe Pellet Stove

When a pellet stove causes poor air quality, it can lead to health complications in addition to hazards inside your home. Unsafe pellet stoves can put out dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and pollutants, which could lead to an increased risk of lung cancer, according to a study published by the National Library of Medicine. 

In addition to making a call to your doctor, you may want to check on your pellet stove to be sure it’s clean and functioning properly if you’re experiencing the following physical symptoms: 

• Coughing

• Wheezing

• Irritation

• Shortness of breath

• Asthma attacks

• Bronchitis

• Chest pain

• Changes in your heartbeat

How to Safely Install a Pellet Stove

Pellet stove safety begins at installation. You should hire professional licensed or certified technicians to install pellet stoves to ensure the installation is done to code and that all safety measures are in place. Poor installation could cause leaks, a pellet stove fire, a faulty exhaust, and extra particulate matter in the air, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke damage, and negative health impacts. 

Here’s how to install a pellet stove safely:

• Use a fireproof hearth or pad underneath the stove to prevent combustible flooring materials, such as wood or carpet, from catching fire.

• Vent the stove to the outside, either through the wall (most common) or ceiling, according to local code. For insert installations, you’ll vent through the existing chimney.

• You’ll also need to install a return vent for fresh-air intake. 

• All pipes and vents must be properly insulated and capped.

• Connect the stove to a dedicated electrical circuit. Installing a new dedicated electrical circuit costs $700 on average.

Safety Tips for Pellet Stoves

Pellet stoves have their pros and cons, but they are safe and reliable when you keep up with their maintenance. Here are some safety tips for proper pellet stove maintenance:

• Always install a carbon monoxide detector nearby and ensure the batteries are full and replaced regularly.

• Clean the burn pot regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Remove the ashes regularly (but only after ensuring they’re completely cooled).

• Use an ash vacuum to clean any remaining traces of ash.

• Remove buildup from the glass front using a clean cloth.

• Clean the blower motor and fan monthly.

• Inspect the gaskets for residue and make sure they are in good condition.

• Once a year, completely unplug or disconnect the stove to perform a thorough cleaning, including lubricating the blower and auger motor and cleaning the chimney or vent.

When to Hire a Pro

A local pellet stove company can perform a safe installation of your new pellet stove and ensure the stove is connected and vented properly. They can even help you optimize your system and its placement for the most efficient heating and distribution. A wood stove pro can also show you how to light a pellet stove and perform the initial system setup.

Once a year, you should hire a pro to test for emissions and perform an inspection to ensure that your pellet stove is in proper working order.