SEC America Blog

When people install a new pellet stove, one of the first questions they have is whether or not they can use a computer UPS, or uninterruptible power supply, to run their appliance in the event of a power outage. Many pellet stove owners’ manuals will say that the answer is yes, but there are some risks and considerations associated with this practice that every pellet stove owner needs to be aware of.  

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.  

As fuel prices rise and people continue to seek alternative methods for heating their homes, pellet stoves are becoming continuously more popular. In response, homeowners' insurance companies have had to consider these alternative heating appliances when writing policies for their customers. Despite the positive cost- and energy-saving benefits of installing a pellet stove, many people wonder how the stove may affect their homeowners insurance. Can using a pellet stove battery backup help reduce your insurance rates? We explore the answer below.

***Scroll down to find a calculator tool that will help you determine how long your pellet stove will operate on a battery backup.***

Picture this.

You’re at home, enjoying a pleasant evening with your family, watching the snow fall outside. You think to yourself how glad you are that you’re not driving in this weather as you watch the cars crawling by on the street in front of your house.

Suddenly, the lights go dark, the television shuts off, and the refrigerator stops humming. The power has gone out.