Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a secondary heat source or, with proper venting, as a primary heating option. These stoves are available in freestanding models or as fireplace inserts. They can provide the appearance of a traditional wood-burning fire.
The auger transports the pellets from the hopper to the combustion chamber which is where they burn and produce heat. Sensors monitor the flame and can adjust the rate of operation to maintain the desired room temperature.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves are a renewable, non-toxic fuel made of compressed sawdust and other substances. They are typically put in landfills, but can be used to provide a clean, efficient source of heat. They can help homeowners reduce their energy usage and decrease 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 highly compressed and more dense than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote than traditional wood-burning fires. They are also packed in plastic bags that seal out moisture and require less frequent cleaning.
Pellet stoves, just like other heating systems need to be properly vented and sized. A qualified technician can assess your venting requirements and space to ensure the best results.
When the hearth is installed, it is built to size and the vent is fitted through a pre-cut hole in the siding of your home. The vent can be run through a sidewall or roof depending on your preference and the local laws.
After the vent and hearth are done, the pellet stove may be connected. Certain manufacturers offer an electronic remote control that makes it simple to begin and maintain the fire, while others offer additional sensors that monitor combustion and airflow as well as flue temperatures and pressure. If the system is able to determine that it requires more pellets or less, it will signal to the auger that it needs to accelerate or slow down accordingly.
All stoves have a storage hopper which can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. Hopper capacities affect how often the stove will need to be filled, with larger hoppers allowing longer intervals between refills. A grille draws fresh air from the room and then passes it over an exchanger for heat, which then blows heated air into the living space through convection. A grate or auger spreads the pellets, and the pan beneath will collect any unburnt ones, along with the combustion residue.
Although discount pellet stoves are more efficient than wood-burning models, they're not as efficient as natural gas furnaces or electric heaters. Electric components that drive motorized components of stoves require an electrical supply. This could cause a problem in a power failure, although backup systems such as generators and batteries are readily available.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, but just like any major heating appliance they require some care to ensure they are operating properly. Cleaning regularly the exhaust vent of your stove and the stove will help prevent the accumulation of harmful creosote, which can cause an explosion, fire, or damage to your stove or house.
A pellet stove is made up of compressed natural particles (such as kernels, nutshells of corn or small pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other substances. The pellets are inserted into the combustion chamber by an auger powered with electricity. The thermostat you choose controls the speed at which pellets are fed to the burner. The fire can continue to roar or modulated lower and even extinguished depending on the temperature you set. When the fire goes out, the ash is dropped into an empty ash tin beneath the burner. It can then be easily removed and disposed.
Pellets are created from byproducts from lumber processing that would otherwise be thrown away. They are a sustainable source and emit less dust than traditional wood-burning appliances, making them a cleaner burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens and other harmful chemicals released by pellet stoves is significantly lower than that of modern EPA-certified wood stoves.
Due to the low emissions they produce, these stoves are not required to be vented through chimneys like traditional wood stoves but should be properly vented through a wall or other exterior structure. Pellet stoves are equipped with flue ports that are located on the top or rear of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe that extends outside the home.
A pellet stove comes with one drawback: you have to purchase or store enough fuel pellets to last for the entire winter season. On average, owners of pellet stoves consume three tons of pellets during the course of the winter, at a cost of $200 for each ton. The costs can add up but they're cheaper than purchasing firewood and hauling it for a fireplace or wood-burning stove. You should buy enough pellets to ensure your stove will be able to run through the coldest winter months. Additionally, you will must have a space to keep the pellets (preferably dry and cool).
3. Reduce Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves generate heat from renewable biomass fuels, reducing the need for finite fossil fuels. This reduces carbon footprints and diversifies energy sources for homes.
The emissions of pellet stoves are significantly lower than woodstoves, including the latest ones that are EPA-certified. The emissions of pellet stoves are also significantly lower than those from gas furnaces. Pellets are made from sawdust or bark, as well as other lumber fragments. They may also contain soybeans, corn, or agricultural waste. When they are burned, they release less particulates (leading to respiratory issues and allergies) carcinogens, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxides.
The feed system is the main difference between pellet stoves and 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 auger is turned. The pellets are fed into the combustion chamber and are burned to produce heat. The air from the combustion chamber moves through a heat exchanger which transmits the heat to the blower before releasing it into the room. This process results in low emissions and no creosote buildup.
After the hopper is empty, a cyclone removes the ash and deposits it in an ash pan. The stove also has a fan to circulate the clean, heated air into the living space. The majority of pellet stoves require little maintenance and come with a huge viewing area for you and your loved ones to enjoy the flames.
The quality of pellets is the primary element that influences pellet stove emissions. Poor-quality pellets produce more emissions. When selecting your pellets ensure that they're certified to meet certain standards and do not contain other ingredients, such as petroleum-based or urea-based products. Choose a company with a warranty and will repair or replace parts in the event of a malfunction. Some states offer homeowners a tax credit if they want to go even greener. This is a great opportunity to help offset the initial cost of this type of stove and make it easier to set up.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves generate very little smoke and exhaust in comparison to wood-burning fireplaces. They also use an electric fan to distribute the heat more evenly across the space. This is among the reasons pellet stoves require much less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves require regular cleaning of chemicals and particulates to avoid deterioration, pellet stoves can be cleaned using a metal vacuum cleaner.
Many manufacturers have made an effort to design their stoves to be simple to install and to operate as well as maintain. They come in different styles to match the design of your home. Certain models come with WIFI, a remote control and thermostat that can be programmed.
Most pellet stoves come with an enormous fuel hopper that can hold anywhere from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then pumped into the combustion chamber via an auger. The output of heat and the degree to which the fire gets depends on the speed at which pellets are fed to the burner. The hopper can be filled with hardwood pellets (from dense wood species such as oak and hickory) or softwood pellets (from pine and fir). Some stoves will even burn alternative biomass pellets, like those made from corn or switchgrass, which can be an environmentally friendly option.
Pellet stoves produce less smoke and require less maintenance due to the fact that they burn a more clean fuel than fireplaces that burn wood. They do not need chimneys and are a better choice for retrofits and new construction.
Pellet stoves don't require regular cleaning of creosote and other chemicals like wood stoves. They require only periodic inspections to ensure proper operation and maintenance. Depending on the model, this may include a periodic inspection and cleaning of the accumulation of ash or "clinker," as well as the motor and fan. 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 regarding storage and safety.