Consumer Reports Rates Pellet Stoves

The latest Consumer Reports (October issue, pages 26-28) finally did a review of pellet stoves. There are precious few independent objective reviews of pellet or wood stoves so this is a very welcome development. They reviewed six and recommend the first two. All qualify for the federal 30% tax credit, up to $1,500.

While the stove ratings appear fair and objective, CR did not test for, or list, information that is very important for consumers. For example, they didn't list the emissions ratings, though these independent, third-party ratings are mostly easy to look up online. While pellet stoves generally are very clean, and much cleaner than woodstoves, some are lots cleaner than others. A few aren't even as clean as the cleanest wood stoves.

Unfortunately, one of the higher ranked stoves, the Napoleon NPS40, has not been tested for emissions, according to its manufacturer. Because they are usually so clean, pellet stoves are exempt from EPA emission standards but most models have them voluntarily tested, partly so that they can be sold in Washington state, which requires testing of all wood appliances. While we do not have reason to doubt that the Napolean is an excellent pellet stove, its odd that the company has not had it tested for emissions, and odder still that Consumer Reports would choose to include a stove in its rating whose emissions are unknown.

Also, Consumer Reports did not test for fan/blower noise. That is a common complaint with pellet stoves and an outfit like Consumer Reports is perfect for that kind of testing.

Moreover, Consumer Reports gave extremely short shrift to pellet stoves as carbon neutral or ultra-low carbon devices. It did not say how much carbon could or would be offset by limiting use of a fossil fuel furnace. And, while it gave maximum payback times, it did not give best case/minimum payback periods. They also had an attitude that pellet stoves were a hassle because you have to load a 40 pound bag in the stove every day. These are the anti-renewable attitudes that foster mindsets that everything has to be as easy and simple as their fossil fuel cousins, or it ain't worth doing anything.

One stove, the Lopi Leyden, made a very reputable company, received a "Don't Buy" rating because of performance problems.

Alliance for Green Heat believes that the stove ratings are fair and very useful for consumers. We only wish that next time, they test for emissions, and noise and that they have a better attitude towards renewable energy and some simple tasks, like loading the hopper of a pellet stove once a day.

Here's a summary of the ratings. The review in the magazine has more details. (Pellet stoves that are tested and emit under 2.5 grams per hour can be sold in Washington state and are eligible for a state tax credit in Oregon and for woodstove changeout rebates, such as the upcoming changeout in Keene, NH.)

1. The highest ranking is a Harman P68 which got 87 points and costs $3,900. Harman is a recognized leader in the industry and is known for quality. (Emits 1.8 grams of particulate per hour).

2. The next highest is the Napoleon NPS40, at 85 points and price tag of only $2,350. (Emissions levels are unknown.)

3. The Enviro Empress received 67 points and cost $2,900. (Emits 2 grams per hour.)

4. The Quadra-Fire Castile received 64 points and cost $2,700. (Emits 0.8 grams per hour).

5. Summers Heat also sold under Englander brand is the cheapest stove rated and is sold by the big box hardware stores - Home Depot, Lowes and Aces. It only received 58 points and cost $1,300. (Emits 1.6 grams per hour).

6. The Lopi Leyden stove got an emphatic "DON'T BUY: PERFORMANCE PROBLEM" rating because longer pellets jammed the auger, shutting down the stove.