With all of today’s modern conveniences, we often don’t think about what we’ll do if something goes wrong until it’s too late. Unless they have an alternative heat source like a wood-burning fireplace, pellet stove owners need to have a backup plan for using their pellet stove during a power outage. This is especially true for people who live in rural areas where power outages can last hours or days.
Pellet stoves require a source of electricity in order to operate. Without an alternative source of power, the stove will be unable to turn on or ignite. Arguably, the most concerning scenario is losing power to your pellet stove while it is in the middle of operating, as this can cause a dangerous puff-back that can endanger you, your home, and your belongings (learn more in our free downloadable eBook).
EMERGENCY POWER FOR PELLET STOVES
The most reliable way to continue using your pellet stove during a power outage is to equip the stove with a battery backup system. When your AC power goes out, the battery backup begins operating automatically to power your stove without interruption. The system works by interfacing between your heating appliance and its AC wall outlet. Read the full description for how a pellet stove battery backup works.
Even with a reliable battery backup system in place, there are several considerations you need to make when running your pellet stove during a power outage.
CALCULATE HOW LONG YOUR STOVE WILL OPERATE
A battery backup won’t operate your heating appliance indefinitely. It is important to calculate accurately the amount of time you can expect your stove to run so that you can be prepared. Some factors that affect operation time include the number of batteries you are using, the average currant draw, and more. Use our calculator tool to estimate how long your stove will operate on a battery backup.
CREATE A PLAN FOR SAFELY SHUTTING DOWN YOUR UNIT
It can be dangerous to lose power to your pellet stove while it’s operating. Once you’ve determined how many hours of operation you can expect from your battery backup, you can plan for properly shutting down the unit to avoid an unsafe situation.
MAKE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS
If the power outage is expected to outlast your heat sources, be sure to make arrangements for alternative accommodations if needed. Having an emergency backup plan that encompasses different scenarios is important for all homeowners, especially in the winter months.
WHAT ABOUT GENERATORS?
Generators are another popular method for powering a pellet stove during a power outage, but they do have certain disadvantages. Read the complete comparison of generators vs. pellet stove battery backups for more information.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A BACKUP PLAN FOR YOUR PELLET STOVE
No matter which source of power you decide to use, the most important thing is making sure you have a pellet stove backup plan. Keep yourself, your home, and your family safe this winter by investing in a pellet stove backup solution that offers reliability and peace of mind.
The Model 933 battery backup is available from our website.
If you have any questions or would like to know more, please contact us.