Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be purchased as freestanding units or fireplace inserts that give your home the look of an authentic fireplace with wood burning. They can be purchased in freestanding units as well as fireplace inserts that give your home the look of an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace.
The auger transports pellets from the hopper to the combustion chamber which is where they burn and generate heat. Sensors are able to monitor the flame and alter the speed of operation to maintain the desired temperature in the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves burn a sustainable, non-toxic fuel made of compressed sawdust and wood chips. They also contain bark and other materials normally put in landfills, but can be turned into an efficient and clean source of heating. They help homeowners reduce their energy usage, and consequently greenhouse gas emissions. Many people who use pellet stoves report that they have recouped their initial investment in a couple of years, through a reduction in their heating bills.
Pellets are much more dense and compressed than natural wood, making them more efficient for burning. They also produce less creosote buildup than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. Furthermore, they are packaged in plastic bags that keep out moisture and require less frequent cleaning.
Pellet stoves, like other heating systems need to be properly vented and sized. A skilled technician will be able to determine the space requirements and venting requirements to ensure the best results.
During installation, the hearth is built to size and the vent is installed through a hole that has been cut in the siding of your home. The vent can be positioned through a sidewall or a roof depending on your preference and the local laws.
Once the hearth and vent are completed, the pellet stove may be connected. Certain manufacturers provide a remote control that makes starting and maintaining the fire easy, while others have additional sensors that monitor airflow, combustion flue temperature, pressure. If the system determines that it requires more or less pellets, it signals the auger to speed up or slow down in line with the need.
Every stove has a hopper for storage that holds between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets until required. Hopper capacities determine how often the stove needs to be filled, with larger hoppers allowing longer intervals between refills. A grille draws air out of the room, passes it over the heat exchanger, and then blows heated air into the living space through convection. A grate, auger or other device distributes the pellets and a pan below is used to collect any unburned ones as well as the combustion leftovers.
Pellet stoves are more efficient in energy use than wood-burning models but not as efficient as electric heaters or natural gas furnaces. Electric components that drive motorized components of stoves require a power source. This could cause an issue in the event of a power outage, though backup systems such as generators and batteries are readily available.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, however, like any major heating appliance they require a bit of maintenance to ensure they are operating properly. Cleaning your stove and exhaust vent on a regular basis will help prevent the accumulation of harmful creosote. This could lead to a fire or an explosion that could cause damage to your stove and/or house.
A pellet stove uses natural particles that are compressed (such as kernels, nutshells of corn, or small pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other substances. An electric-powered auger will feed the fuel pellets from a tank into the burner, and into the combustion chamber. The thermostat you choose controls the rate at which pellets are fed to the burner. The fire can continue to roar, or it can be reduced or even snuffed out in accordance with the temperature you set. The ash will be disposed in an empty ash tin underneath the burner. This can easily be removed and then disposed.
Pellets are created from the waste products of lumber processing that would otherwise be thrown away. They are renewable and release much less dust 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 emitted from pellet stoves is significantly lower than that of modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified.
Because of the low emissions they produce, these stoves do not need to be vented through a chimney as traditional wood stoves, but should be properly vented through a wall or an exterior structure. Pellet stoves have flue ports on the top or rear of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe which extends out from the house.
A pellet stove comes with one drawback: you have to purchase or store enough fuel pellets for the whole winter season. On average, owners of pellet stoves use three tons of pellets throughout the course of the winter at $200 per ton. The cost can be high however they are much cheaper than purchasing firewood and hauling it for a wood-burning stove or fireplace. You should purchase enough pellets to ensure that your stove will run throughout the winter's coldest months. Also, you need to have a place to keep the pellets (preferably dry and cool).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves generate heat from renewable biomass fuels, reducing the dependence on fossil fuels that are finite. This reduces carbon footprints and diversifies 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 much lower than ones from gas furnaces. Pellets can be made from sawdust or bark, as well as other lumber remnants. They can also include soybeans, corn, or agricultural waste. When burned, they emit less particulates (leading to respiratory problems and allergies) as well as carcinogens, carbon monoxide, and the nitrous oxides.
The feed system is the major difference between a pellet stove and a wood stove. Pellet stoves have hoppers to store the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate that the room is in need of heating, the auger is turned and the pellets are pumped into the combustion chamber, where they are burned and generate heat. The air from combustion chamber is then pumped through a heat exchanger that transfers heat to the blower. This process results in very low emissions and no creosote buildup.
After the hopper has been empty, a cyclone action removes the ash and deposits it in an ash pot. The stove is fitted with a fan that circulates the heated, clean air into the room. Most pellet stoves require minimal maintenance and feature a large viewing area for you and your family to enjoy the flames.
The quality of pellets is the most important element that influences the emissions of pellet stoves. The poor quality pellets emit more emissions. When selecting your pellets, ensure that they're certified to meet specific standards and don't contain other ingredients like urea or petroleum products. Find a business that has a guarantee and will replace or repair parts in the event of a problem. If you're looking for the greener route, some states permit homeowners to get a tax credit when installing pellet stoves. This is a great opportunity to help offset the initial cost of this type stove and make installation more affordable.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce a minimal amount of smoke or exhaust when compared to fireplaces that burn wood. A fan is employed to spread heat more evenly throughout the room. This feature is one of the reasons pellet stoves require much less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves must be frequently cleaned of chemicals and particulates pellet stoves need an specialized metal vacuum cleaner for routine cleaning.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves in a way that they are easy to install and operate, as well as maintain. They also design their appliances in a variety of styles that can be matched to the decor of your home. Some models include an app for WIFI, a programmable thermostat and remote control.
Most pellet stoves have an enormous fuel hopper which 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 and the heat output. The hopper may be filled with hardwood pellets, composed of dense wood species such as oak and hickory or softwood pellets. Some stoves will even use alternative biomass pellets, such as those made of switchgrass or corn that can be environmentally friendly alternatives.
Pellet stoves emit less smoke and require less maintenance because they use more clean fuel than fireplaces that burn wood. best rated pellet stoves don't require chimneys, making them an ideal choice for retrofits or new construction.
In contrast to wood stoves, which need to be kept regularly free of creosote and other chemicals, pellet stoves require periodic inspections for proper operation and maintenance. This could involve regular 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 proper procedure for your specific model and brand. They can also provide details about storage and safety and assist you in finding the correct fuel for your stove.