Pellet Insert or Freestanding Stove?
The short answer: pick an insert if you already have a working masonry fireplace and want to reuse that opening and chimney; pick a freestanding stove if…
Buying Pellets: Bag, Pallet or Ton
Buy pellets by the ton whenever you’re comparing prices, even if what actually lands on your porch is a stack of bags.
How Long a Hopper of Pellets Lasts
A full hopper typically burns for anywhere from 8 to 24 hours, depending on the stove’s setting and hopper capacity.
When the Auger Jams, and What Caused It
An auger jam happens when something inside that feed tube refuses to turn, or turns without moving fuel.
Cleaning the Indoor Head
Cleaning the indoor head of a mini-split means clearing the filters, the evaporator coil, and the blower wheel of the dust and mold film that block…
What HSPF2 Measures, and Why Ductless Asks for More
HSPF2 stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor 2, a measure of how much heat a heat pump produces over a full winter compared to the electricity it…
The Defrost Cycle, Explained
A defrost cycle is the brief pause when a heat pump reverses itself, sends hot refrigerant out to the outdoor coil, and melts off the ice that’s built up…
When Can You Turn the Heat Off in Wyoming?
In Wyoming, the heat almost never gets a true day off. August comes closest, but even then the house is still asking for something.
When Can You Turn the Heat Off in Wisconsin?
September is Wisconsin’s mildest month, but “mild” doesn’t mean silent. The state still logs about 187 combined heating and cooling degree days that…
When Can You Turn the Heat Off in West Virginia?
September is West Virginia’s quietest month, with heating and cooling demand together adding up to about 189 degree days.