The cost of the pellets is much less than you would spend on oil, gas or electricity and provides a similar amount of heat. Pellet stoves are the perfect heat source for those who are consciously aware of their carbon footprint and the environmental impact of using fossil fuels. Due to their small size, pellet stoves are very easy to install and most homes with an existing chimney or flue system can easily accommodate one. Once installed, they require minimal maintenance as all you need to do is fill up the pellet hopper every few days and then clean out the ashes around several times a week. Many pellet stoves come with programmable thermostats and also give you the ability to control the temperature, see if you have enough fuel and monitor when you need to clean the stove – all at the touch of a button. Pellet stoves can be small enough to warm up a single room. Or they can be integrated as part of the hot water system when fitted with a back boiler to bring you piping hot water and help heat the rest of your home through the central heating system. The biggest advantage of pellet stoves is their safety as they pose virtually no fire hazard. They can be placed close to the wall as they provide minimal external heat, which means they are an ideal choice if you have children or pets. Once you have filled the hopper and turned on the stove, the pellets are automatically fed into a flame that burns constantly until you turn it off. It’s safe enough to leave a pellet stove burning while you’re out and it will continue to burn unattended as long as there are pellets to burn. A massive attraction of pellet stoves is the integration of modern technology. You can program your stove to come on at different times or set the thermostat control, which can turn off the stove when a designated temperature is reached. You can even use your mobile phone to turn on your stove on your way home so it’s nice and warm when you walk through the door. The aesthetics of a pellet stove is something that may persuade you to invest in one for your home because they look stylish like a wood burning stove, but without the need to chop your own wood and deal with the smoke and mess. They come in a variety of designs from traditional and classic to contempory and trendy. There are so many gorgeous designs to choose from that will fit in with your style of décor and provide a unique focal point in any room.