Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves are available as freestanding units or fireplace inserts that can give your home the appearance of a traditional fireplace with wood burning. They can be purchased as freestanding units or as fireplace inserts that give your home the look of traditional wood-burning fireplaces.
The auger transports pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber, where they are ignited and generate heat. Sensors monitor the flame and can adjust the rate of operation in order to maintain a desired temperature of the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves burn a renewable, non-toxic fuel made of compressed sawdust, bark, wood chips and other materials that are normally placed in landfills but which can be turned into a clean and efficient source of heating. They can help homeowners cut down on their energy use and consequently greenhouse gas emissions. Many pellet stove owners report recouping their initial investment in only several years with lower heating costs.
Pellets are extremely compressed and more dense than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. They also produce much less creosote than traditional fireplaces that burn wood. They are also stored in plastic bags to seal out moisture and need less frequent cleaning.
Similar to other heating systems, pellet stoves must be properly measured and vented. A skilled technician can determine the space requirements and venting requirements in order to get the most efficient 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 can be run through a sidewall or roof depending on your preference and the local laws.
When the vent and hearth are completed, the pellet stove can be connected and switched on. Some manufacturers offer a remote control that makes starting and maintaining the fire easy while others come with additional sensors that monitor combustion, airflow and flue temperatures, as well as pressure. When the system detects it requires more or less pellets, it signals the auger to speed up or slow down in line with the need.
All stoves come with a storage hopper which can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The size of the hopper determines the frequency at which you have to refill your stove. Larger hoppers can be used for longer time periods before refills is needed. A grille pulls fresh air from the room and then passes it through an exchanger that then blasts heated air into the living area through convection. A auger, grate or other device distributes the pellets and a pan beneath collects any unburned ones as well as the combustion remnants.
While pellet stoves are more efficient than wood-burning models, they're not as efficient as natural gas furnaces or electricity-powered heaters. The electric components that drive their motorized parts require a power source, which could be a problem during a power outage, though backup systems are readily available like batteries and generators.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves can be extremely efficient, but they need some maintenance in order to function properly. Cleaning the exhaust vent of your stove and stove will prevent the accumulation of harmful creosote that can cause a fire, explosion or damage to your stove or home.
A pellet stove is a device that burns compressed natural wood particles or other materials (like corn kernels, nutshells or small pieces of wood scraps). The pellets are fed into the combustion chamber through an auger that is powered by electricity. The speed at which pellets are fed to the burner is controlled by the thermostat you set. The fire can be kept burning, or it can be reduced or even snuffed out according to the temperature you set. The ash will be collected in an empty ash tray beneath the burner. It can be easily removed and then disposed.
Pellets are made from byproducts that could have been discarded during the process of processing lumber. They are a renewable resource and emit less particulates than traditional wood-burning appliances, making pellet stoves a cleaner heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens and other harmful chemicals produced from pellet stoves is much lower than those with modern EPA-certified wood stoves.
Due to the low emission, these appliances do not need to be vented through chimneys like traditional wood stoves but should be properly vented through a wall or an external structure. Pellet stoves have flue ports on the rear or top of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe that extends out from the house.
A pellet stove has one disadvantage: you have to purchase or store enough fuel pellets to last the entire winter season. Pellet stove owners typically consume three tons of wood pellets each winter, which is a cost of $200 per ton. These costs will increase over time however, it's less expensive than buying and hauling firewood for a traditional wood-burning fireplace or stove. Be sure to purchase enough pellets to ensure that your stove will last through the coldest winter months, and that you have the right space to store the pellets (preferably dry, cool and off the ground).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves produce heat using renewable biomass fuel, which reduces reliance on finite fossils fuels. This reduces the carbon footprint and helps diversify the sources of energy used in homes.
Even the most modern woodstoves that are EPA certified emit considerably less than pellet stoves. The emissions from pellet stoves also are much lower than ones from gas furnaces. Pellets are made from sawdust or bark, as well as other lumber remnants. They could also include corn, soybeans or agricultural waste. When they are burned, they release less particulates (leading to respiratory issues and allergies) as well as carcinogens, carbon monoxide and the nitrous oxides.
The feed system is the main difference between a pellet stove and a wood stove. Pellet stoves come with hoppers that contain the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate that the room requires heating, the auger turns and the pellets are fed into the combustion chamber, where they are burned and generate heat. The air from combustion chamber is then pumped through a heat exchanger, which transfers heat to the blower. This process results in low emissions and no creosote accumulation.
After the hopper has been emptied, the ash is removed by a cyclone and it is then deposited into an ash container. The stove also contains an air circulator to move the fresh, heated air into the living room. Most pellet stoves are made to be maintenance-free and have a large viewing window for you and your family members to take in the flames.
The main factor that influences pellet stove emissions is the quality of the pellets. The poor quality pellets will result in more emissions. When selecting your pellets, ensure they are certified as meeting certain standards and do not contain other ingredients like petroleum-based or urea-based substances. Choose a company with a warranty and will replace or repair parts in the event of an issue. If you're looking for the greener route Some states allow homeowners to claim a tax credit for installing pellet stoves. This is a great opportunity to help offset the initial cost of this type of stove and makes installation more affordable.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce very little emissions or smoke compared to wood-burning fireplaces. A fan is employed to spread heat more evenly throughout the room. This is one of the reasons why pellet stoves require less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves have to be cleaned regularly of chemicals and particulates, pellet stoves only need an specialized metal vacuum cleaner for regular cleaning.
Many manufacturers have made a conscious effort to create stoves that will be simple to install and to operate as well as maintain. They also design their appliances with a variety of styles that will match website your home's decor. Some come with programmable thermostats, remote control and WIFI applications that allow you to monitor and manage your stove from anywhere in the world.
Most pellet stoves come with a large fuel hopper that can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then pumped into the combustion chamber using an auger. The speed at which the pellets are fed to the burner determines how hot the fire is as well as the amount of heat it produces. 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). Many stoves can also make use of alternative biomass pellets like those made from corn or switchgrass which are environmentally friendly alternatives.
Because pellet stoves use a clean fuel, they produce far less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces and require less maintenance. They don't require chimneys and are a better option for retrofits or new construction.
Unlike wood stoves, which require regular maintenance to be cleaned of creosote and other chemicals, pellet stoves only require periodic inspections to ensure 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. Your appliance dealer can explain the correct procedures for your particular brand and model. He can also provide you with information regarding safety and storage, and assist you in finding the appropriate fuel for your stove.