Pellets running out during the season is a concern. If you have enough storage, then store enough for the entire winter as soon as possible. Figure on using between one and two bags a day. Multiply that amount and figure out how much it's gonna cost you to heat your home per month in addition to the electricity it uses. As far as long term, I don't see it as being trendy. More pellets plants open up every year.

Another thing to think about is if the electricity goes out, then so does your pellet stove. And you have to deal with the constant fan noise.

Since I used to sell stoves, I had the luxury of purchasing them wholesale for my own home. I had a freestanding direct-vent stove, a freestanding woodstove and a freestanding pellet stove. Then we could use whichever was the cheapest that year and the most convienent. (the gas stove always won)

There is a back thread that I gave all the pros and cons of the different fueled stoves. Take a look at it.

Xanndra,

Thanks for the reply!! My wife and I looked at the Harman P68 pellet stove. The sales lady at the store lit the stove for us. I liked the stove!! It appeared to be user friendly and easy to use. The catalog says it has a heating capacity of 2,200 sq. ft.. Are the heating capacities usually accurate? My house is just under 2,700 sq ft. and I want to make sure the stove will fit my needs. I was given a price of $3,108 for the stove only. Does this seem high or reasonable? The sales lady also showed us coal stoves. Please give me your thoughts about coal stoves. I always thought they were dirty and required high maintance. Is this correct? The sales lady said they give the biggest bang for the buck. I want to make sure I'm not overlooking the coal stove option because of my perceived notion of them. Thanks Dan

Are you sure that the price quoted isn't for absolutely everything, including installation? That seems about $1,000-$1,500 too much just for the stove.

Xanndra,

They told me it is just the cost of the stove. It seemed high to me too. I'm not sure if they charge more on Long Island (cost of living is very high) or ir this place charges a lot. I will price at other dealers. What is your take on coal? I was told and read you get double BTU for money when using coal. The cost of pellets and coal are about $150 per ton.

If I had access to anthricite (hard coal) I would heat my house with it. Harman makes a coal stoker that burns rice coal (again only hard coal-don't bother with soft coal). It just depends on what you are looking for. But I would recommend going with the hard coal if you have it readily available where you live. Like the pellets, you need to purchase your winter supply before the season hits.
There have been a few discussions on coal on here. There are dangers to using coal, especially if it's not done with the proper stove. Some diligent research on burning coal will warn you about flashbacks and carbon monoxide dangers.

The first time you have a flashback it's truly a religious experience...

JESUS, WHAT IN THE HELL JUST HAPPENED!!!

:-)

I used to spend a lot of time with a family that heated with coal. Nice, even, long-lasting heat.

You have to have a place to store the coal. Theirs was up the hill next to the barn. It was our job (my friend, his brother, and me) to fill the 5-gal. buckets with coal and bring them down to the porch.

Coal does require different techniques, but once you get the hang of it, you'll never want to go back.

You also have the issue of ashes. Make sure that you can dispose of coal ash in your garbage.

As with any combustion heating source, you should always have carbon monoxide detectors in the home.

I'm living in Washington, DC, right now, but I'm hoping that in the next couple of years I'll be able to move back to central PA.

When that happens, the first purchase I make is a coal stove.

DO you find coal diry? Ashes all arounf the house while dusting?

the only way coal is dirty is if you make it so. If you are carefull not to get it everywhere and have a good plan as to where you will keep the coal pile (or bags) coal will not be dirty, in fact it is not much worse than wood in that respect and no bugs and spiders everywhere. The only way you are going to have ashes all around the house while dusting, is if you were a bumbling fool and spilt them all around the house. Coal ash is actually heavier than wood ash, so it will be less likely to fly up into the air of its own accord; however, coal ash is generally not as light colured as wood ash, so if you are careless and knock a bunch of it up into the air, you will notice it more when dusting, than if you were careless with wood or pellet ash.