Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a second heat source or, if you have 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 into the combustion chamber, where they are burnt and produce heat. Sensors monitor the flame and can adjust the rate of operation to maintain a desired temperature in the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves use a renewable, non-toxic fuel made of compressed sawdust and other substances. These are usually put in landfills, but they can be used to create a clean, efficient source of heat. They aid homeowners in reducing their energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many people who use pellet stoves report that they have recouped their initial investment in only a few short years by reducing their heating costs.
Pellets are more dense and compressed than natural wood, which makes them more efficient in burning. They also produce less creosote than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. They are also packed in plastic bags that are sealed to keep out moisture and require less frequent cleaning.
Like other heating systems, pellet stoves need to be properly sized and vented. A professional technician will be able to assess your venting needs and space requirements in order to get the most efficient results.
During installation the hearth is constructed in accordance with your specifications. Then, the vent is installed via a hole pre-cut in the siding of your home. The vent may be installed through a roof or sidewall depending on your preference and the local laws.
After the hearth and vent are finished then the pellet stove can be connected and switched on. good pellet stoves fireplacesandstove offer the option of a remote control to make it simple to begin and keep the fire going, while others offer additional sensors that monitor airflow and combustion flue temperatures, as well as pressure. When the system detects it requires more or fewer pellets, it signals the auger to speed up 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 more hoppers, allowing for longer intervals between refills. A grille draws air out of the room, passes it over the heat exchanger and blows heated air into the living area through convection. A grate or auger spreads the pellets, and an under-sink pan will collect any unburnt ones, along with the combustion residue.
While pellet stoves are more efficient than wood-burning models, they're not as efficient as natural gas furnaces or electricity-powered heaters. Electric components that drive motorized components of the stoves require an electrical supply. This could cause an issue in the event of power failure, although backup systems such as batteries and generators are available.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, but just like any other major heating appliance, they require some care to ensure they are operating properly. Cleaning your stove and exhaust vent on a regular basis will stop the accumulation of harmful creosote, which could lead to a fire or an explosion that could damage your stove and/or house.
A pellet stove makes use of compressed natural particles (such as kernels, nutshells of corn or small pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other materials. The pellets are introduced into the combustion chamber via an auger powered with electricity. The speed at which pellets are pumped into the burner is controlled by the thermostat you set. The fire can be kept roaring or decreased or even extinguished according to the temperature you set. When the fire goes out the ash is then thrown into an empty ash tin beneath the burner, which can be easily removed and disposed of.
Pellets are made from byproducts that could have been discarded when processing lumber. They are renewable and release much less dust into the air than traditional wood-burning stoves which results in a clean burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens, and other harmful chemicals emitted by pellet stoves is much lower than those with modern EPA-certified wood stoves.
Due to the low emission, these appliances don't require to be vented through chimneys like traditional wood stoves, but should be properly vented through a wall or another external structure. Pellet stoves come with flue ports on the rear or top of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe that extends outside the home.
A pellet stove comes with one drawback that you must purchase or store enough fuel pellets to last the whole winter season. Pellet stove owners typically consume three tons of wood pellets each winter, which is a cost of $200 per ton. The expenses can add up, but they are less expensive than buying firewood and hauling it for a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Be sure to purchase enough pellets to ensure your stove will work throughout the coldest winter months and that you have a suitable place to store them (preferably cool, dry and away from the ground).
3. Reduce carbon footprint
Pellet stoves utilize renewable biomass fuels to generate heat, thus reducing the dependence on fossil fuels that are finite. This reduces carbon footprints and diversifies the sources of energy for homes.
The emissions from pellet stoves are significantly lower than those from wood stoves, and even the latest EPA-certified ones. The emissions from pellet stoves also are considerably lower than ones from gas furnaces. Pellets are made up of wood, sawdust and other lumber leftovers and can also be composed of different materials including corn, soybeans, nutshells, cherry pits and agricultural waste. When they are burned, they release fewer particulates (leading to respiratory issues and allergies) carcinogens, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides.
The major difference between a wood stove and a pellet stove is the feed system. Pellet stoves come with hoppers that hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate the room is in need of heating, the furnace turns. The pellets are fed into the combustion chamber, where they burn to produce heat. The air from combustion chamber is pumped through a heat exchanger which transmits heat to the blower. This results in extremely low emissions and no creosote accumulation.
After the hopper is empty, a cyclone process removes the ash and deposits it in an ash pot. The stove is fitted with a fan that circulates the clean, heated air throughout the room. The majority of pellet stoves are designed to be maintenance-free and feature a large viewing window for you and your family to enjoy the flames.
The quality of pellets is the main factor that affects the emissions from pellet stoves. Poor-quality pellets will produce more emissions. When choosing your pellets, ensure they are certified as meeting certain standards and don't contain other ingredients like urea or petroleum-based products. Find a business that has a guarantee and will repair or replace parts in the event of a malfunction. If you're looking to take an even greener approach Some states allow homeowners to claim a tax credit for installing pellet stoves. This is a great option to offset the initial costs of this type of stove and make installation more affordable.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves generate less smoke and exhaust as compared to fireplaces that burn wood. They also use an electric fan to distribute the heat more evenly across the space. This feature is one of the reasons that pellet stoves require less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves need to be cleaned regularly of dust and chemicals pellet stoves require an specialized metal vacuum cleaner for routine cleaning.
Many manufacturers have made an effort to design their stoves to be easy to set up, operate and maintain. They also design their appliances in a wide range of styles that can be matched to your home's decor. Some come with programmable thermostats, remote control and WIFI applications that allow you to control and monitor your stove from anywhere in the world.
The majority of pellet stoves have a large fuel hopper that can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber by an auger. The speed at which the pellets are delivered to the burner determines how hot the flame is as well as the amount of heat it produces. The hopper could be filled with hardwood pellets made from wood with a dense structure such as oak and hickory, or softwood pellets. Many stoves can also use alternative biomass pellets, like those made from switchgrass or corn, which can be environmentally friendly alternatives.
Because pellet stoves burn such an environmentally friendly fuel, they emit less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces and require fewer maintenance. They also do not require a chimney, making them a much more suitable choice for new constructions or retrofits.
Pellet stoves do not require regular cleaning of creosote or other chemicals like wood stoves. They only need periodic inspections to ensure proper operation and maintenance. This could involve regular cleaning and inspection of the ash or "clinker" as well as the fans and motors, depending on the model. Your appliance dealer can provide the proper procedures for your specific brand and model. He can also assist you to identify the right fuel for your stove, and give information on storage and safety.