The pellet stove is certainly the cheapest calorific energy after gas and reversible air conditioning. Depending on the region, it is better to opt for pellets, the temperatures reaching negative degrees too high for Inverter air conditioning and the lack of space to install a gas tank, direct the consumer towards this economical and labor-saving solution.
Summary
Clean the chimney flue
If there was only one interview to do, this would be it. Any combustion stove or fireplace, must imperatively lead to a sweeping of the flue. If this is not done, the conduit may be so clogged that it is possible that it will catch fire, this is what is called a chimney fire in the language of firefighters. The insurance will ask for the bill for the passage of the chimney sweep in order to compensate you, if this has not been done, all the costs of restoration will be at your expense. In addition, as indicated by the FFA, sweeping the chimney flue is a legal obligation.
A chimney sweeping before the winter period then one in the middle of winter is essential for your safety and does not cost very much, the price changes from one chimney sweep to another.
Clean the glass
The window should be cleaned regularly during the months of heating for a matter of practicality, it is easier to check combustion by seeing the flames dance. For the months of non-use, it is nicer to see the inside of the stove rather than a smoked glass, which looks dirty. It is impossible to keep the glass translucent while the stove is on, the fumes inevitably tarnish the glass wall, sometimes in a very short time, an hour at most.
The glass can be cleaned very well both hot and cold, but with different techniques: hot with newspaper and cold ashes; cold with white, green or silver stone, or a product for a ceramic hob.
You must change your pellet stove glass before winter when it is too scratched or cracked. The scratches are unsightly, but the crack itself could let in carbon monoxide, which is very dangerous for the inhabitants of the house.
Dispose of the ashes
Pellets like wood produce residues, ashes, they must be eliminated. For this, we wait until they are cold, we must empty them as soon as we have finished using the stove, towards the end of spring, but it is necessary to check on the outskirts of winter that this action has well done. A little vacuuming can remove the fallen ashes thanks to the wind, during the summer and autumn period.
Clean the burner
The combustion chamber incorporates the burner, and this, as its name suggests, burns at a very high heat for our best comfort. It is very effective, but if you don’t clean it every once in a while, you can end up with a lower heat output.
Before winter, you have to check everything, so as not to find yourself without a stove and just auxiliary heaters, especially if you live in a snowy or very cold region.
When burning, the pellets give off fumes which accumulate in the duct and on the burner and change into clinker, a kind of bitumen which coats everything surrounding the burner. It is this new material that endangers the chimney flue and reduces the heat in the house.
The gasket
There may be some anomalies at the joints, a thermal bridge is formed and the flames find a draft which guides them towards the glass, blackening it much more quickly. Formed of braided glass fibers, flat or round, the joint is essential for a good safety of the habitat. It must be checked every year, take advantage of the visit of the chimney sweep to ask him to examine the tightness of the joint.
He can change it for you himself, you won’t make the mistake of not buying the right one, it will be sold to you at a preferential price and will be added to the invoice, an additional proof for home insurance.
Annual maintenance of the stove
If you are tenants, you are obliged to prove your good faith regarding the maintenance of the boiler or the wood, pellet or pellet stove. Only the invoice from the chimney sweep and the person who maintains your heating means is valid with the insurer and the housing agent. The maintenance of the sweeping pipe is the responsibility of the tenant (more information on the site of service-public.fr)
If you are an owner, it is your will alone that leads you to request the sweeping and verification of your pellet or wood stove and take out home insurance. If anything happens to you, such as a fire, you will be fully responsible, if you do not have a maintenance bill for the flue channel and the boiler or stove, all costs will be your responsibility even if you lose your home.
