What's white, rectangular, fits in a double-hung window and makes your room more comfortable?
Nope, not a window air conditioner.
It's a pint-sized pellet stove that can heat up to 750 square feet of space. Introduced in October 2010 by the United States Stove Company, the Eco-Aire may be one of those products that leaves other manufacturers saying, “Duh! Why didn't I think of that?”
Like all pellet stoves, it vents directly to the outside. In this case, you don't have to cut a hole through the wall for the vent pipe. The stove draws fresh air from the outside and vents its exhaust back outside.
The portability and ease of installation could be a real plus to renters and apartment dwellers. And since the stove doesn't take up any floor space, it can be used in small or out-of-the-way rooms. When heating season is over, the stove can be removed, stored and replaced by a window air conditioner. The stove also can be permanently mounted through the wall.
Load up to 30 pounds of pellets from the inside, press the electronic ignition, and watch the flames through the small viewing window. Pellet stoves rely on electricity to run the fuel auger and fan. The Eco-Aire can be plugged into a standard household 110 volt outlet.
A digital control board adjusts for five heat settings. The manufacturer says the stove fits in most double hung windows and comes with adjustable side panels for a tight fit. The stove weighs 150 pounds (plus pellet weight) and must be supported from the inside with brackets (included) screwed into the wall.
Four years in development, the stove is approved for use in mobile and modular homes and has UL safety and EPA air quality stamps of approval. Some safety clearances and a non-combustible floor mat are required.
United States Stove Company, an old-line American stove manufacturer, needs to work out some pricing and distribution details with Eco-Aire.
Six months ago, the stove sold (with good reviews) for $1,800 at Home Depot. While the retailing giant still carries other US Stove products, it no longer carries the Eco-Aire.
The stove is available directly from the manufacturer ($2,248 plus $200 for shipping) and a few other internet resellers ($1,400 to $1,700 with free shipping).
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