Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a supplemental heat source or, if you have proper venting, a primary heating option. They are available as freestanding models as well as fireplace inserts. They can provide the appearance of a traditional wood-burning fireplace.
The auger transports pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber, where they are ignited and generate heat. Sensors detect the fire and adjust its speed of operation to keep the desired temperature of the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves burn renewable non-toxic fuel composed of compressed sawdust wood chips, bark and other materials that are normally placed in landfills but which can be used to create an efficient and clean source of heating. As a result, they can help homeowners reduce their energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many pellet stove users report that they can recoup their initial investment in few years through a reduction in their heating bills.
Pellets are extremely compressed and are more dense than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. Furthermore, they are packed in plastic bags to keep out moisture and require less frequent cleaning.
Like other heating systems pellet stoves should be properly measured and vented. A professional technician can evaluate your venting requirements and space to ensure the best results.
When the hearth is installed, it is constructed to fit the space and the vent is installed through a hole that has been cut in the siding of your home. The vent is then run out the side wall or the roof, depending on your preference and local regulations.
After the vent and hearth are completed and the stove is ready to be plugged in. Some manufacturers provide a remote control to make it simple to start and maintain the fire, while other manufacturers offer additional sensors that monitor airflow and combustion as well as flue temperatures and pressure. When the system detects that it needs more or less pellets, it tells the auger to accelerate or slow down accordingly.
All stoves have a storage tank that can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. Hopper capacities determine how often the stove has to be refilled with more hoppers, allowing for longer intervals between refills. A grille draws fresh air out of the room and passes it through an exchanger for heat, which then blows heated air into the living area by convection. A grate or auger distributes the pellets, while the pan beneath collects any unburnt ones along with combustion residue.
Although pellet stoves are more efficient than wood-burning models, they're not as efficient as natural gas furnaces or electric heaters. The electric components that drive their motorized components require electricity which could cause an issue during a power failure, but backup systems are readily available, such as generators and batteries.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are incredibly efficient, however, like any other major heating appliance, they require some care to ensure that they function properly. Regularly cleaning the exhaust vent of your stove and the stove will help prevent the build-up of harmful creosote, which can cause an explosion, fire or damage to your home or stove.
A pellet stove is made up of compressed natural particles (such as nutshells, kernels of corn or tiny pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other materials. The pellets are fed into the combustion chamber by an auger that is powered by electricity. The thermostat you set regulates the rate at which pellets are delivered to the burner. The fire can be kept burning or decreased or even extinguished depending on 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 made from byproducts that would have been thrown away in the process of processing lumber. They are a sustainable source and produce less dust than traditional wood-burning appliances making them a cleaner burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens and other harmful chemicals emitted from pellet stoves is much lower than the newer EPA certified wood stoves.
They are not required to be vented through a chimney, like is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they must be vented correctly through a wall or another exterior structure. Pellet stoves are equipped with flue ports that are located on the front or back of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe which extends outside the home.
One drawback of a pellet stove is that you have to purchase or store enough pellets to last through the winter months. Pellet stove owners typically use three tons of wood pellets per winter, at a cost of $200 per ton. These expenses increase over time, but it is cheaper than purchasing and hauling firewood to a traditional wood-burning fireplace or stove. Make sure that you purchase enough pellets to ensure your stove will last through the coldest winter months, and that you have the right location to store them (preferably dry, cool and off the ground).
3. Reduce Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves generate heat using renewable biomass fuels, reducing reliance on finite fossils fuels. This reduces the carbon footprint as well as helping diversify energy sources in homes.
Even the most modern woodstoves that are EPA certified emit significantly less than pellet stoves. The emissions from pellet stoves also are much lower than ones from gas furnaces. Pellets are made of compressed sawdust, bark and other lumber waste. They may also contain a variety of other materials including corn, soybeans and nutshells, cherry pits, and agricultural waste. When they are burned, they emit less particulates, which could cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions and carcinogens as well as nitrous dioxide.
The major difference between the wood stove and the pellet stove is the feed system. Pellet stoves have hoppers which hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate that the room is in need of heating, the auger is turned and the pellets are fed into the combustion chamber, where they are burned and generate heat. The air from combustion chamber is pumped through a heat exchanger which transmits heat to the blower. This process produces very low emissions, and creosote is not produced.
After the hopper is empty, the ash gets removed using a cyclone and deposited in an ash container. The stove is equipped with a fan that circulates the heated, clean air into the room. Most pellet stoves require only minimal maintenance and come with a huge viewing area for you and your family members to enjoy the flames.
The quality of pellets is the most important factor that affects the emissions of pellet stoves. Pellets that are not of the highest quality produce more emissions. When selecting your pellets, ensure that they are certified as meeting certain standards and don't contain other ingredients such as urea or petroleum-based products. Find a business that has a guarantee and will replace or repair parts in the event of an issue. Certain states provide homeowners with an incentive to pay taxes in the event that they decide to go even greener. This is a great opportunity to help to 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 emissions or smoke compared to fireplaces that burn wood. A fan is employed to spread heat more evenly across the room. This is one of the reasons why pellet stoves require less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves require regular cleaning of chemical residues and particles to avoid deterioration, pellet stoves can be cleaned with an electric vacuum cleaner.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves in a way that they are simple to set up, operate and maintain. They also make their appliances with a variety of styles that will match your home's decor. Some include a programmable thermostat remote control, as well as WIFI apps that let you manage and monitor your stove from any location in the world.
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 pumped to the combustion chamber by an auger. get more info The speed at which the pellets are delivered to the burner determines how hot the fire is as well as the amount of heat it produces. 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 are able to use biomass pellets made of corn and switchgrass. This is a green alternative.
Since pellet stoves burn an environmentally friendly fuel, they emit less smoke than conventional wood-burning fireplaces and require fewer maintenance. They also don't require a chimney, which makes them a more appropriate option for new construction or retrofits.
As opposed to wood stoves that need to be kept regularly free of creosote as well as other chemicals, pellet stoves require periodic inspections to ensure proper operation and maintenance. Based on the model, this may include a periodic inspection and cleaning of the accumulated Ash or "clinker," as well as the fan and motor. Your appliance dealer can explain the correct procedures for your specific brand and model. He can also help you determine the right fuel for your stove and provide information on storage and safety.