Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a second heat source or, with proper venting, a primary heating option. They can be purchased as freestanding units or as fireplace inserts that give your home the look of a traditional wood-burning fireplace.
The auger carries pellets from the hopper to the combustion chamber where they are burned to create heat. Sensors detect the fire and adjust the rate of operation to ensure your desired temperature in the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves make use of a non-toxic, renewable fuel that is made from compressed sawdust as well as other materials. They are typically put in landfills, but can be used to create a clean and efficient source of heat. They aid homeowners in reducing their energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many homeowners who own pellet stoves have reported that they've recouped their initial investment in just several years with lower heating costs.
Pellets are much more dense and compressed than natural wood, which makes them more efficient in burning. They also produce less creosote compared to traditional wood-burning fires. Additionally, they are packaged in plastic bags that seal out moisture and need less frequent cleaning.
Similar to other heating systems, pellet stoves should be properly sized and vented. A professional technician will be able to assess your venting needs and space requirements to achieve the most efficient results.
In the process of installation, the hearth is constructed to fit the space and the vent is installed through a pre-cut hole your home's siding. The vent can then be placed on the side wall or the roof, depending on your preference and the local regulations.
After the hearth and vent are complete, the pellet stove can be plugged in and turned on. Certain manufacturers offer a remote control to make it simple to begin and maintain the fire, while other manufacturers offer additional sensors that check airflow and combustion, flue temperatures, and pressure. If the system determines that it needs more or less pellets, it signals the auger to speed up or slow down in line with the need.
All stoves have a storage tank that can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The size of the hopper determines how often you'll need to refill your stove. Larger hoppers permit longer periods before a refill is needed. A grille pulls air from the room, then passes it over the heat exchanger and blows heated air in the living space via convection. A grate or auger spreads the pellets, while the pan beneath will collect any unburnt ones as well as the ashes of combustion.
Pellet stoves are more energy-efficient than wood-burning models, but aren't as efficient as electric heaters or natural gas furnaces. Electric components that drive motorized parts of the stoves require a power source. This could be an issue in the event of power failure, although backup systems such as batteries and generators are available.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, but they need some care to operate properly. Regularly cleaning your stove's exhaust vent and the stove will stop the build-up of harmful creosote that can cause an explosion, fire, or damage to your stove or house.
A pellet stove burns compressed natural wood pellets or other materials (like nutshells, corn kernels or small pieces of wood scraps). The pellets are inserted into the combustion chamber by an auger that is powered by electricity. The rate at which the pellets are fed to the burner is controlled by the thermostat you set. The fire can continue to roar, or it can be decreased or even extinguished in accordance with the temperature you set. The ash will be disposed in an empty ash tin underneath the burner. It can be easily removed and then disposed.
Pellets are made from byproducts that would have been thrown away when processing lumber. They are a renewable resource and emit significantly less particles into the air than traditional wood-burning stoves making them a cleaner burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens and other harmful chemicals produced from pellet stoves is significantly lower than that of modern wood stoves that have been certified by the EPA.
Because of the low emissions, these appliances are not required to be vented through chimneys like traditional wood stoves, however, they should be vented through a wall or other exterior structure. Pellet stoves have flue ports that open on the rear or top of the appliance. They are connected to the vent pipe which extends outside of the home.
One drawback of a pellet stove is that you need to purchase or website store enough pellets to last through the winter time. Pellet stove owners typically consume three tons of wood pellets every winter, which is a cost of $200 per ton. The expenses can add up however they are much less expensive than buying firewood and transporting it to a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Make sure you buy enough pellets so that your stove will work throughout the coldest winter months and that you have the right location to store the pellets (preferably cool, dry and off the ground).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves generate heat using renewable biomass fuels, reducing the dependence on fossil fuels that are finite. This reduces the carbon footprint as well as helping diversify the sources of energy used in homes.
Emissions from pellet stoves are much lower than woodstoves, even newer ones that are EPA-certified. The emissions from pellet stoves are also lower than those from gas furnaces. Pellets are made from sawdust and bark as well as other wood remnants. They could also include soybeans, corn or other agricultural waste. When burned, they emit less particulates (leading to respiratory problems and allergies) carcinogens, carbon monoxide, and the nitrous oxides.
The feed system is the primary difference between pellet stoves and wood stove. Pellet stoves have hoppers that hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate that the room is in need of heating, the furnace turns and the pellets are fed into the combustion chamber where they burn and generate heat. The air from combustion chamber is then pumped through a heat exchanger which transmits heat to the blower. This process produces very little emissions, and creosote is not formed.
After the hopper is empty, the ash is removed by a cyclone and is deposited in an ash bin. The stove also contains fans to circulate the fresh, heated air into the living space. The majority of pellet stoves require little maintenance and come with a huge viewing area for you and your loved ones to enjoy the flames.
The quality of pellets is the main factor that influences pellet stove emissions. Pellets that are not of the highest quality will cause more emissions. When selecting your pellets, ensure that they're certified to meet certain standards and do not contain other ingredients such as petroleum-based or urea-based substances. Also look for a company that has a warranty and will repair or replace any part in the event of a problem. If you want to take an even greener approach certain states allow homeowners to get a tax credit when installing pellet stoves. This is a great way to reduce the initial cost of this type of stove and make it more affordable to set up.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce a minimal amount of smoke or exhaust compared to wood-burning fireplaces. A fan is employed to spread heat more evenly across the room. This is one of the reasons pellet stoves require much less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves require frequent cleaning of particulates and chemicals to avoid deterioration, pellet stoves can be cleaned with a metal vacuum cleaner.
Many manufacturers have made a conscious effort to create stoves that will be simple to install and to operate as well as maintain. Their appliances are available in a variety of styles that are designed to match the interior decor of your home. Some models come with a WIFI app, remote control, and programmable thermostat.
The majority of pellet stoves have an enormous fuel hopper which can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then pumped to the combustion chamber through an auger. The speed at which the pellets are delivered to the burner determines how hot the fire is and the heat output. The hopper can be filled with hardwood pellets (from dense wood species like oak and hickory) or softwood pellets (from pine and fir). Many stoves can burn biomass pellets made from corn and switchgrass. This is an environmentally friendly alternative.
Because pellet stoves use a clean fuel, they produce far less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces and require fewer maintenance. They also don't require chimneys, making them a better option for new construction or retrofits.
Pellet stoves don't require regular cleaning of creosote or other chemical like wood stoves. They require only periodic inspections to ensure proper operation and maintenance. Based on the model, this may include a periodic inspection and cleaning of the accumulation of the ash or "clinker," as well as the motor and fans. Your appliance dealer can explain the proper procedures for the specific model and brand. He can also provide information regarding safety and storage, and help you find the appropriate fuel for your stove.