Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a supplemental heat source or, with proper venting, as a primary heating option. These stoves are available in freestanding models as well as fireplace inserts. They can give the appearance of an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace.
The auger moves the pellets from the hopper to the combustion chamber, where they are burnt and generate heat. Sensors monitor the flame and can adjust the speed of operation to maintain a desired room temperature.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves make use of a renewable, non-toxic fuel made of compressed sawdust and other substances. They are usually removed from landfills, but they can be used to provide a clean, efficient source of heat. As a result, they can help homeowners reduce their energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Many owners of pellet stoves have reported that they've recouped their initial investment within just a few years, thanks to lower heating bills.
Pellets are extremely compressed and are more dense than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote buildup than traditional fireplaces that burn wood. Additionally, they are stored in plastic bags to seal out moisture and need less frequent cleaning.
Like other heating systems pellet stoves need to be properly measured and vented. A skilled technician can assess your venting requirements and space to ensure the most efficient results.
When the hearth is installed, it is built to size and the vent is installed through a pre-cut hole the siding of your home. The vent can be positioned through a sidewall or roof depending on your preference and the local laws.
Once the vent and hearth are finished and the stove is ready to be connected and turned on. Some manufacturers provide the option of a remote control to make it simple to start and maintain the fire, while other manufacturers offer additional sensors that monitor combustion and airflow, flue temperatures, and pressure. If the system determines that it requires more or less pellets, it signals the auger to speed up or slow down according to the situation.
All stoves have a hopper for storage that holds between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets until they're needed. Hopper capacities affect how often the stove will need to be filled with more hoppers, allowing for longer intervals between refills. A grille draws air out of the room, passes it through the heat exchanger, and then blows heated air in the living space through convection. A auger, grate or another device distributes the pellets, and a pan below collects any unburned ones as well as combustion remnants.
Pellet stoves are less energy-intensive than wood-burning models, but aren't as efficient as natural gas or electric furnaces. Electric components that drive motorized components of stoves require electricity. This could be a problem in a power failure, although backup systems like generators and batteries are readily available.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are incredibly efficient, but like any major heating appliance they require some care to keep them running correctly. Cleaning your stove and its exhaust vent regularly will help prevent the accumulation of harmful creosote, which could cause a fire or explosion that could cause damage to your stove or even your home.
A pellet stove is made up of natural particles that are compressed (such as kernels, nutshells of corn or small pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other substances. The pellets are introduced into the combustion chamber via an auger that is powered by electricity. The thermostat you choose controls the rate at which pellets are delivered to the burner. The fire can be kept roaring or reduced or even snuffed out according to the temperature you set. When the fire is out the ash is then thrown into an empty ash tray underneath the burner that can be easily removed and disposed.
Pellets are made from waste products that could have been discarded during the process of processing lumber. They are a sustainable source and produce less particles than traditional wood-burning appliances making pellet stoves a cleaner heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens and other harmful chemicals emitted from pellet stoves are also less than the latest EPA certified wood stoves.
These stoves aren't required to be vented via chimneys, as is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, non electric pellet stove must be vented via a wall, or other structure outside. Pellet stoves have flue ports that open on the rear or top of the appliance and are connected to a vent pipe that extends outside of the home.
One disadvantage of a pellet stove is that you have to purchase or store enough pellets to last through the winter months. On average, owners of pellet stoves consume three tons of pellets during the course of winter season at a cost of $200 per ton. The costs can add up, but they are cheaper than purchasing firewood and then hauling it away for a fireplace or wood-burning stove. It is recommended to purchase enough pellets to ensure that your stove will run throughout the coldest winter months. Additionally, you will need to have a place to keep the pellets (preferably cool and dry).
3. Reduce Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves produce heat using renewable biomass fuel, reducing the dependence on fossil fuels that are finite. This helps reduce the carbon footprint as well as helping diversify the energy sources used in homes.
Even the most modern woodstoves that are EPA certified emit significantly less carbon dioxide than pellet stoves. Emissions from pellet stoves are also considerably lower than those of gas furnaces. Pellets can be made from sawdust and bark as well as other lumber fragments. They can also include corn, soybeans or agricultural waste. When they are burned, they release fewer particulates (leading to respiratory issues and allergies), carcinogens, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides.
The main difference between a wood stove and a pellet stove is the feed system. Pellet stoves have hoppers that contain the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate the room is in need of heating, the auger is turned. The pellets are placed in the combustion chamber and are burned to generate heat. The combustion chamber's air is passed through a heat-exchanger, which transfers heat to the blower. This process produces very low emissions, and creosote does not created.
When the hopper is empty, a cyclone action removes the ash and places it in an ash pot. The stove is fitted with a fan that circulates warm, fresh air into the room. Most pellet stoves are designed to run with minimal maintenance and come with a large view window for you and your family members to enjoy the flames.
The quality of pellets is the main factor that affects the emissions of pellet stoves. Poor-quality pellets will produce more emissions. When selecting your pellets, ensure that they're certified to meet certain standards and don't contain other ingredients like urea or petroleum products. Also make sure you choose a manufacturer who offers a warranty and will repair or replace any part in the event of a problem. Some states offer homeowners an incentive to pay taxes if they want to go even greener. This is a great opportunity to help offset the initial cost of this kind of stove and make it easier to install.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce a minimal amount of smoke or exhaust when compared to fireplaces with wood burning. They also utilize an electric fan to distribute the heat more evenly across the space. This is one of the reasons why pellet stoves require much less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves require regular cleaning of particulates and chemicals to prevent deterioration, pellet stoves can be cleaned using the use of a vacuum cleaner made of metal.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves in a way that they are simple to install and operate, as well as maintain. They also make their appliances with a variety of styles that can be matched to the decor of your home. Some models include WIFI, a remote control and thermostat that can be programmed.
The majority of pellet stoves come with an enormous fuel hopper, which can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber via an auger. The output of heat and the degree to which the fire will get is determined by the speed at which pellets are fed to the burner. The hopper can be filled with either hardwood pellets (from dense wood species like 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 option.
Since pellet stoves burn as a clean fuel, they produce far less smoke than conventional wood-burning fireplaces and require fewer maintenance. They do not need chimneys, making them an ideal option for retrofits or new construction.
In contrast to wood stoves, which need to be kept regularly cleaned of creosote and other chemicals, pellet stoves need to be periodically inspected for proper operation and maintenance. This could involve regular cleaning and inspection of the ash or "clinker" as well as the fans and motors according to the model. Your appliance dealer can provide the proper procedures for your brand and model. He can also assist you to find the correct fuel for your stove and provide information regarding storage and safety.