Green Daily

Another noteworthy characteristic: wood pellets are considered to be "CO2 neutral" by many environmentalists, which basically means that even though they do produce CO2 when burned, the material was once part of a tree that lived on CO2, so the two factors cancel each other out. Think of it as purchasing carbon offsets after you fly cross-country.

The Cost

On average, people need about three tons of pellets to heat their home each year, which amounts to approximately $600. But in the past few years, demand for these little guys (and the stoves that heat them) has skyrocketed due to increasing oil costs, which means prices have also increased. So more people are buying -- and for good reason. Instead of constantly loading in more pellets, you just throw a bunch in, set your thermostat, and wander off -- the stoves are self-regulating. About 800,000 people currently have a wood pellet burning stove in their home.

The Cons

Pellet stoves do have their drawbacks: they're pretty complicated, so unless you're really handy, you'll most likely have to hire a contractor if something goes wrong. And they do require electricity, so you want to make sure you have a back-up generator. And as they get more popular, you may experience a shortage of the pellets at your local stores, so you'll want to stock up in case there's a run on pellets!

But unlike log-burning stoves, these don't require a working flue or a full-sized chimney to function. (By the way, if you currently have an older wood-burning appliance, you may want to consider upgrading to one that is EPA-certified, just to be safe).

What's the next step?

If you want to become a pellet-stove convert, you need to figure out what type of stove you want, and how many pellets you'll have to purchase to make it through the winter (and, if our kooky weather continues, the spring, too). Consumer Reports recently ran a helpful report on this very topic, which is conveniently outlined for you here:

1. If you have a fireplace, consider getting a fireplace insert, which vents through your chimney. Otherwise, choose a freestanding stove, which usually runs bout $750 plus another $250 or so for installation. Note: if you plan to burn "multifuel" pellets, choose a multifuel insert or stove.
   
2. To stay nice and toasty, the average person needs about 5,000 BTU/H for a 200-square-foot space. So, calculate the area of the room you want to heat, and plan accordingly.
   
3. Like we noted earlier, you're going to need approximately three tons of pellets for a year, or about $600. But wait until you get a stove to judge how many you'll need.
   
4. Decide what type of pellet you want. You can go with traditional wood, or opt for corn or wheat.
5. Consider getting a backup generator. Your stove will be heated by electricity, but not if the power goes out! Plan ahead.
   
6. Just in case, make sure you have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your house. Better safe than sorry.

Time to Buy

You can search for a list of retailers near you the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association's website (who knew there was one?!) Shop wisely, and stay warm!