This pellet stove does have the option to run on manual, so you do not have to use the digital thermostat, just a conveince. The igniter was a concern that I did ask the manufacturer about prior to purchase. The price is actually 25.00. You will receive approximately 2000 ignitions, and since the manufacture of the stove is located less than 30 minutes from my home, the shipping cost would be minimal, if I chose not to pick it up. I am not familiar with the life expectancy of the combustion motor blower, but I do have several friends that have had pellet stoves for 6 years + with no issues. They have completed general cleaning, but did not pull out the combustion motor for cleaning and has had no issues. The pellet price, which I purchase from the manufacturer is 213.00 a ton. They sell only to their customers. The highest price that I have seen is at the Harman dealer, who had pellets priced at 275.00 a ton. Lowes has pellets at 5.00 per bag.
Previously I did use a wood burner, which I really liked for the most part. The downfall with my wood burner, was purchasing and repairing chainsaws, buying and purchasing new chain saw blades. Splitting and storing the wood, borrowing my friends wood splitter and of course paying for any repairs if the machine broke on my watch. Of course I was always concerned with hot embers landing on my floor, and not only causing a fire, but damaging my floor. The overall cleanliness factor....dirty and inconvenient. Cleaning my chimney once a year and the flue pipes once a month was a serious pain! My next concern was the rising price of wood, which has doubled.
I am no expert, just a person who is concerned with saving some money on my heat bill!
Thanks for the info and I appologize for posting my original post in the incorrect section.
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Lon