How To Repair A Pellet Stove? Expert Explain
Looking to keep your house warm during the cooler months of the year may dramatically raise your electricity expenses. One of the alternatives that stand out on how you can keep your electricity bill lower is by installing a pellet stove in your home. This helps you to keep the space warm without significantly increasing your utility expenses. But like all appliances in the house, pellet stoves can also break from time.
Electricity is required to run pellet stoves. They employ compressed pellets made of wood or other eco-friendly material as a fuel source instead of typical firewood logs. They are automatically fed from a storage hopper into a burn pot, resulting in a continuous flame that does not require any attention. In this article, we’ll talk about how you can repair your pellet stove without calling a professional. So, let’s start.
Table of Contents
How to Repair A Pellet Stove?
So How to Repair A Pellet Stove? To repair a pellet stove, you first need to determine what the problem is. The most common repair when it comes to a pellet stove is a stove auger. If the pellets do not enter the stove properly, the pressure sensor may be broken. This may need a simple cleaning, but it may also necessitate replacement.
For those who want to know How to Install a Pellet Stove, feel free to read this article.
How To Fix A Pellet Stove Auger
Repairing the auger is one of the most common pellet stove repairs. It is a component of a top-loading pellet stove that permits pellets to be fed into the stove. The stove may not provide the necessary heat if it is in malfunctions. It is also risky because the stove might start smoking.
Fixing an auger is a job best left to an expert because it directly impacts the pellet stove’s safety. It might be difficult to determine what is wrong with a snail at times. For a professional to identify the problem, he will use checklists and information on the maker.
If the pellets do not enter the stove properly, the pressure sensor may be faulty. This may only need a simple cleaning, but it may also necessitate replacement. Another issue that might arise due to improper feeding is limited air movement in the pellet stove’s chimney apertures.
The Most Common Repairs Related to Pellet Stove
1. Pellet Stove Has Big Flame at Startup
Don’t be alarmed if the pellet stove’s flame flames up during startup; it is a normal occurrence. The flame will return to normal as soon as the stove is turned on.
2. Pellet Stove Glass Is Dark or Dirty
The ash has coated the glass of the pellet stove, making it impossible to see the fire. In comparison to lower heat settings, higher heat settings produce less ash. When it becomes an issue, just clean the glass.
3. Pellet Stove Makes Noises
You shouldn’t be worried if you hear a metallic noise as your stove heats up or cools down since it’s just the sound of metal expanding and contracting when it is heated or cooled in a furnace or duct.
4. Pellet Stove Fire Is Smokey
Clean the fireplace if the fire in the pellet stove is smoky at startup or if there is smoke emerging from it. Check to see if there is any clinker in it; if there is, try pushing them out with a scraper. Check that the broiler is completely closed. Reduce the flow rate by lowering the control rod 1/4 inch into the bowl until the smoke ceases. Also, clean up any ash that has accumulated in the heat exchanger, firebox, vents, and exhaust fan.
5. Pellet Stove Fire is Lazy
The fire burns inefficiently if it dances slowly in the stove and has black ends. To solve this problem, just reduce the pellet feed rate. If even this does not work, try cleaning the firebox and heat exchanger fan.
6. Other Pellet Stove Repairs
Low-Heat Temperature Switch Repair: You’ll probably need to replace the low-heat switch, also known as the lower limit switch if the stove motor operates for around 30 minutes and then switches off while the pellets are still burning. Inside the fan housing, look for the switch. Remove the switch, unhook the wires, and take it to a furnace supplier to replace it with an identical model.
High-heat Temperature Switch Repair: Replace the high-temperature switch, also known as the high limit knob, if the stove does not turn off when the required high temperature is achieved. Remove the screws that keep the switch in place, take it out, and replace it with an identical model.
Pressure-sensing Switch Repair: Clean the pressure sensor if the stove isn’t feeding pellets constantly. If it doesn’t work, clean the vent pipe, since a lack of ventilation might be the issue. Replace the pressure sensor if these steps do not assist.
Pellet Stove Repair Cost by Brand
Usually, the price of repairing the pellet stove depends on its model. There are four major brands to choose from; Breckwell, Vogelzang, Whitfield, and Harman. Each of them has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Some of them may fail more frequently than others or may have specific sections that fail more frequently.
The price of the parts determines the cost of fixing each of them. When you call a professional, their hourly charges are usually the same no matter what brand they are repairing. Part costs, on the other hand, differ depending on the brand. Depending on the problem, some components can cost as little as $20 or as much as hundreds of dollars, depending on the problem.
Pellet Stove Maintenance
To avoid issues with the pellet stove, they must be cleaned regularly. Manufacturers give a maintenance program to guarantee that the stove is in good working order. Pellet types are recommended by the manufacturer for use with the stove. To avoid voiding your warranty, stick to all manufacturer instructions.
Pellet stoves must be cleaned once a week. If you use your stove regularly, such as during the winter, you might have to clean it every three days. You’ll need to clean the burning pole and clear the ash drawer. For this task, you can use an ash hoover. Remove any deposits of the pot using wire brushes.
Clean the glass door of any dust and ash. Using a simple cleaning soap and water mixture, sweep the floor of the glass. If you use a broom to clean the glass, you risk scratching the floor. While cleaning, check the hopper and auger tubes for any dirt accumulation. If you find dirt, use a hoover to remove it.
Changing how you use the stove might help with overall performance issues. When the stove is set to high heat, darkened glass and heavy ash are common occurrences. The method you feed the pellets to the unit is really important. Try changing the method of how you feed the pellets to the unit because it can help solve stove problems.
When we are increasing the feed rate, it usually prevents problems such as poor heat production and a dim flame. Immoderate sparks, ash inside the embers, and burnt embers within the burn pot are all common problems that may be solved by lowering the feed rate. Keep in mind that a large flame on lighting fixtures is required for it to function on a daily basis. The flame will be reduced after the hearth has stabilized.
Things You Will Need
- Wet-dry vacuum
- Pliers
- Screwdriver
- Nylon bottle brush
- Replacement auger
- Replacement auger motor
- Nonlubricating spray degreaser
- High-temperature silicone
- Auger end plate gasket
- Replacement bushing plate and bushing
Should I Repair Existing Pellet Stove Or Buy A New One?
In almost most cases, it will be cheaper to repair a pellet stove than to buy a new one. The typical lifespan of a pellet stove is between 12 to 15 years. Because each stove is unique based on installation requirements, people think that when a specific component is not working properly, they might as well just get a whole new stove.
This isn’t the case because pellet stoves are expensive and complex home appliances. That’s why, in most cases, it is much cheaper to get specific dysfunctional parts repaired than completely replacing the stove with a new one. It’s also crucial to note that if your pellet stove is initially set up correctly, and the components are functioning, everything should be working just fine.
Buying anything new has many perks. There are usually, such as a larger hopper capacity, ease-of-use benefits, or automated controls, that have evolved over generation and might justify switching to a different pellet stove. Whatever the reason, keep in mind that maintaining an existing stove is typically far less expensive than purchasing a new one.
Also, we recommend you to read How Much Electricity Does a Gas Furnace Use.
FAQ: People Also Ask
1. Why Pellet Stove Won’t Turn On ?
The Pellet stove not turning on is one of the most frustrating issues that can occur. Two primary causes of the stove not properly igniting are a damaged ignitor or a defective temperature switch. A new ignitor usually costs between $30 and $40, depending on the model. On average, a temperature switch costs between $20 and 40$.
2. Pellet Stove Ignitor Not Working?
The pellet stove will not light if the ignitor fails. You cannot force the stove to produce a spark to light the pellets. The ignitor may fail and must be replaced. The cost of a replacement ignitor is between $30 and $40. In rare cases, the ignitor may be sufficient. The faulty component might be the combustion fan, which has to be replaced. A new combustion fan typically costs between $100 and $225.
3. Pellet Stove Not Feeding
If the pressure switch fails, the stove will not be able to feed the pellets for burning. Furthermore, if the feed motor fails or runs slowly, or if the circuit board fails to provide the necessary signals, the stove will not feed the pellets. A pressure switch ranges in price from $15 to $25. The feed motor costs between $50 and $150, depending on size, brand, and model. A circuit board costs between $300 and $400.
4. Pellet Stove Low Heat Output
The hair is only lightly blown if the blower is not working properly or is running at a low speed. The pellet stove may then stop producing heat. Depending on the size and speed of the blower, prices range from $75 to $140. The amount of oxygen delivered to the flame is controlled by a damper device. The stove will not work correctly if the damper breaks, as it will not allow enough oxygen to reach the flame. The cost of a replacement damper unit is typically between $50 and $100.
5. Pellet Stove Keeps Shutting Off
The machine might easily shut down if the temperature switch fails. A malfunctioning blower motor can also cause the stove to shut off because it overheats, triggering the stove’s safety features and shutting it off to prevent additional damage. The price of a temperature switch is between $20 and $30. Depending on the type and manufacturer, a blower can cost anywhere from $75 to $140. Blowers with higher power tend to be more expensive than those with less power.
6. Pellet Stove Fan Noise
One of the first signs that something is wrong with your stove is the noise. If the blower isn’t working properly, it becomes excessively loud or rattles. A blower can cost anything from $75 to $140. When there’s an issue, the augers start clicking or popping. In a pellet stove, the mechanism frequently fails or quits operating. Replacement costs range from $80 to $150, depending on the size and type.
