Many people with asthma and allergies have shied away from traditional wood burning fireplaces, as the smoky smell, potential for ash, and other undesirable aspects of open, burning fire push them toward alternative forms of heat. The welcome glow and dance of a fire is something that has long been associated with soothing ambiance and cozy atmosphere in living space, but something asthma and allergy suffers might be unnecessarily doing without. Heating with a pellet stove is a great alternative for people with asthma and allergies to enjoy the positive aspects of a fire without it being a health hazard.
A pellet stove is much different than a wood burning fireplace or stove, and here’s how. The MagnuM brand family of pellet stoves and flex-fuel burning appliances designed today feature closed combustion. This is a negative draft system (which means that it pulls the fire and smoke through the appliance), a sealed venting system and a direct connect to outside fresh combustion air. These design features separate the smell and corresponding allergy dusts from the interior of the home.
Pellet stoves like the Countryside are used to produce two kinds of heat without affecting the air inside your home:
- a forced air heat through the blower of the pellet stove into the room
- a radiant heat that comes directly from the fire on the inside of the glass without affecting the air inside your home.
When proper care is taken to use the stove as it is designed, it provides an excellent source of heat without putting allergens and debris into the home. When switching to a pellet stove, you’ll want to:
- Select the right of appliance for the space
- Install it correctly
- Place it in the best location of your home
- Proper venting
- Proper balancing of the home air pressure for fresh air for combustion
- Quality wood and corn for fuel
- Regular maintenance of the stove
If you suffer from asthma or allergies, take care when handling of the fuel. Use clean, dry fuel, and store it properly. Perform proper maintenance features of the appliance. Consult your pellet stove manual for help with proper usage and maintenance. If you see or smell smoke when using your pellet stove power down and resolve the issue. The air in your home should be clean and warm.
Additional Resources:
Why Cleaning Air Ducts is Important
Pellet Stove Maintenance for Dust Free Stove