Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves are offered as freestanding units or fireplace inserts that give your home the look of an authentic fireplace with wood burning. They are available as freestanding models as well as fireplace inserts. They can provide the appearance of a traditional wood-burning fireplace.
The auger carries pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber where they are burned and produce heat. Sensors monitor the fire and can alter the rate of operation to ensure your desired room temperature.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves make use of a renewable, non-toxic fuel that is made from compressed sawdust and other materials. They are usually removed from landfills, but can also be used to create a clean and efficient source of heat. This means that they help homeowners lower their energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many people who use pellet stoves report that they have recouped their initial investment in only a couple of years, by reducing their heating costs.
Pellets are much more dense and compressed than natural wood, making them more efficient for burning. They also produce less creosote than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. Additionally, they are stored in plastic bags to keep out moisture and require less frequent cleaning.
Pellet stoves, as with other heating systems, need to be properly sized and vented. A professional technician will be able to assess your venting requirements and space requirements to ensure the most efficient results.
During installation, the hearth is constructed to the right size, and the vent is installed through a pre-cut hole the siding of your home. The vent may be installed through a roof or sidewall depending on your preference and the local laws.
After the hearth and vent are done, the pellet stove may be connected. Some manufacturers provide an electronic remote control that makes it easy to start and maintain the fire, while others provide additional sensors to monitor airflow and combustion, flue temperatures, and pressure. When the system detects that it requires more or less pellets, it signals the auger to accelerate or slow down accordingly.
All stoves come with a storage container that can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The size of the hopper will determine how often you need to replenish your stove. Larger hoppers permit longer periods before refills is required. A grille draws air from the room, then passes it through the heat exchanger and blows heated air in the living space through convection. A grate or auger distributes the pellets, and a pan underneath will collect any unburnt ones as well as the ashes of combustion.
Pellet stoves are less energy-intensive than wood-burning stoves, but they are not as efficient as natural gas or electric furnaces. Electric components that drive motorized parts of the stoves require a power source. This could pose an issue in the event of power outage, though backup systems such as generators and batteries are available.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, but just like any major heating appliance they require some maintenance to ensure that they function properly. Cleaning your stove and its exhaust vent on a regular basis will help prevent the accumulation of harmful creosote. This can cause a fire or explosion that can damage the stove and/or your home.
A pellet stove makes use of natural particles that are compressed (such as nutshells, kernels of corn or tiny pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other substances. The pellets are inserted into the combustion chamber via an electric auger. The speed at which pellets are fed into the burner is controlled by the thermostat you set. The fire can continue to roar or modulated lower and even extinguished in accordance with the temperature you set. The ash is disposed of in an empty ash tin underneath the burner. It is easily removed and then disposed.
Pellets are produced from byproducts from lumber processing that could otherwise be thrown away. They are a renewable resource and emit much less dust into the air than traditional wood-burning stoves, which results in a clean burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens and other harmful chemicals released from pellet stoves is less than the latest EPA certified wood stoves.
Because of the low emissions, these appliances do not need to be vented through a chimney like traditional wood stoves, however, they should be vented through a wall or other exterior structure. Pellet stoves are equipped with flue ports at the top or rear of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe which extends outside the home.
One drawback of a pellet stove is that you need to purchase or store enough pellets to last through the winter time. Pellet stove owners typically consume three tons of wood pellets per winter, for a price of $200 per ton. The costs can add up, but they are cheaper than purchasing firewood and then hauling it away for the wood-burning fireplace or stove. It is recommended to purchase enough pellets so that your stove can run through the winter's coldest months. Also, you'll need to have a place to store the pellets (preferably cool and dry).
3. Reduce carbon footprint
Pellet stoves use renewable biomass fuels to generate heat, which reduces the need for fossil fuels that are depleted. This reduces carbon footprints and increases the diversity of energy sources for homes.
Even the latest wood stoves that are EPA certified emit significantly less than pellet stoves. The emissions from pellet stoves also are considerably lower than ones from gas furnaces. Pellets are made from compressed sawdust, bark and other wood wastes. They may also contain different substances like soybeans, corn, nutshells, cherry pits and agricultural waste. When they are burned, they emit less particulates, which could cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions, carcinogens and nitrous dioxide.
The feed system is the primary difference between a pellet stove and a wood stove. Pellet stoves are equipped with hoppers to store the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate the room is in need of heating, the furnace turns. The pellets are put into the combustion chamber and are burned to produce heat. The combustion chamber flows through a heat exchanger that transfers the heat to the blower and out into the room. This process results in very low emissions and no creosote accumulation.
When the hopper is empty, a cyclone takes away the ash and puts it in an ash pot. The stove also has fans to circulate the clean, heated air into the living room. Most pellet stoves require only minimal maintenance and feature a large viewing area for you and your family members to relax and enjoy the flames.
The most significant factor affecting emissions from pellet stoves is the quality of the pellets. The poor quality pellets will result in more emissions. When selecting your pellets, ensure they meet certain standards and don't contain other ingredients, such as petroleum-based or urea-based products. Also make sure you choose a manufacturer that offers a guarantee and will repair or replace any part in the event of a problem. If you're looking to take the greener route Some states allow homeowners to claim a tax credit for installing pellet stoves. This is a great opportunity to offset the initial costs of this type stove and makes installation more affordable.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves emit very little emissions or smoke compared to wood-burning fireplaces. A fan is used to spread heat more evenly across the room. This is a major reason why pellet stoves require less maintenance than wood stoves. While wood stoves have to be cleaned regularly of chemicals and particulates, pellet stoves only need an specialized metal vacuum cleaner for routine cleaning.
Many manufacturers have made an effort to design their stoves to be simple to set up, operate and maintain. Their appliances come in various styles that are designed to match the decor of your home. Certain models come with an app for WIFI, a programmable thermostat and remote control.
Most pellet stoves have an enormous fuel hopper that can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then delivered to the combustion chamber by an auger. The speed at which pellets are fed to the burner determines how hot the fire is and the heat output. The hopper can be filled with either hardwood pellets (from dense wood species such as oak and hickory) or softwood pellets (from pine and fir). A lot of stoves can use biomass pellets made of switchgrass and corn. This is a green alternative.
Pellet stoves produce less smoke and require less maintenance because they use a more clean fuel than fireplaces that burn wood. They don't require chimneys, making them an ideal choice for retrofits or new construction.
As opposed to wood stoves that require regular maintenance to be free of creosote and other chemicals, pellet stoves only need to be periodically inspected for proper operation and maintenance. This could include periodic cleaning and inspection of the ash or "clinker" as well as the motors and fans according to the model. The dealer of your appliance can explain the correct procedures for the specific model and brand. He can also provide you with information about storage and safety and assist you in finding the right fuel for your stove.
