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Capt. Joe, the pellet stoves are less polluting than wood or coal, but there are two key things: the stove itself and its age, and the manner in which it is installed.

Burningissues.org runs the counter-intelligence to the EPA's blanket approval of pellet stoves--if you decide to pursue this option, you might find their information a help in deciding what to look for.

Burning is the least efficient means of heating. It also is the most polluting. Anything you can do to ensure the maximum safety can't be bad.

Even if you independently vent the firebox, other house systems calling for pressure (bath fan, stove fan, etc.) *suck* the polluted air coming out the chimney back INTO the house to equalize pressure. So the indoor air quality becomes an issue. (The smoke from the stack envelopes the house outdoors because it is heavier than cold, clean air.)

Brand *new* pellet stoves have a good rating, but the stoves themselves deteriorate fairly quickly, something the EPA fails to mention. Once that happens, they're as dirty as the competition. See if you can get a sense of the ratings long-term.

Look into the information and judge for yourself--if you must seek the option and, if so, the best way to do it AND protect precious lungs. (EPA tests show that children in homes or neighborhoods exposed to wood burning show a decreased lung capacity for 24 hours--just one of the points that make investigating the *best* ways and means worthwhile - IMO.)

The gas and oil industry burners have been regulated to assure the cleanest burn and the best safety for the occupant and the surrounds; burning solid fuel flies in the face of everything they have achieved through the regulations.

Most people don't recognize that air inversions set the stage for disaster when the population is as intense as it is on the East Coast. Western states have no-burn alerts because of this potential--AND THAT INCLUDES PELLET STOVES. (The City of London (UK) banned solid fuels (wood, coal) when the inversion of 1952 ultimately resulted in the death of some 4,000, so it's serious.)

Take a look at the data, Joe; the EPA suggested Burningissues.org to me since their own data and additional scientific data was posted on the topic. In fact, it's become a world-wide resource.

Good luck.