Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a secondary heat source or, if you have proper venting, a primary heating option. They can be purchased as freestanding units or as fireplace inserts that can give your home the look of an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace.
The auger carries pellets from the hopper to the combustion chamber, where they are burned and produce heat. Sensors monitor the flame and can alter the speed of operation to maintain the desired temperature of the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves burn a renewable non-toxic fuel composed of compressed sawdust, bark, wood chips, and other materials that are normally dumped in landfills, but can be repurposed into a sustainable and clean source of heating. They can help homeowners reduce their energy usage and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Many pellet stove owners have reported that they've recouped their initial investment within just a few years, thanks to lower heating costs.
Pellets are extremely compressed and more dense than natural wood, which makes them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. They are also packaged in plastic bags that are sealed to keep out moisture, and require less frequent cleaning.
Pellet stoves, as with other heating systems need to be properly sized and vented. A skilled technician can assess your venting requirements and space to ensure the best results.
During installation the hearth is constructed according to your specifications, and the vent is installed via a hole pre-cut in the exterior of your home. The vent can be positioned through a roof or sidewall depending on your preference and the local laws.
Once the vent and hearth are completed, the pellet stove can be plugged in and turned on. Certain manufacturers offer a remote control to make it easy to start and keep the fire burning, whereas others offer additional sensors that monitor airflow and combustion, flue temperatures, and pressure. If the system determines that it requires more pellets or less, it sends a signal to the auger that it should speed up or slow it down according to the need.
Every stove has a storage hopper that holds from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets until they're required. The size of the hopper will determine how often you need to refill your stove. Larger hoppers allow for longer periods before refills is needed. A grille draws fresh air out of the room and then passes it through a heat exchanger, which then is able to blow heated air into the living area through convection. A grate, auger or other device distributes pellets, and a pan below will collect any pellets that are not burned as well as combustion remnants.
Although pellet stoves are more efficient than wood-burning stoves, they're not as efficient as natural gas furnaces or electric heaters. The electric components that drive their motorized components require a power source which could cause problematic during an power outage, even though backup systems are readily available for generators and batteries.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, but they need some attention to function properly. Cleaning your stove and its exhaust vent regularly will prevent the buildup of dangerous creosote that could cause a fire or explosion that could cause damage to the stove and/or your home.
A pellet stove makes use of natural particles that are compressed (such as kernels, nutshells of corn or small pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other materials. The pellets are fed into the combustion chamber through an auger that is powered by electricity. The thermostat you set controls the speed at which pellets are fed to the burner. The fire can continue to roar or decreased or even extinguished according to the temperature you set. When the fire is gone the ash is thrown into an empty ash tray beneath the burner, which can be easily removed and then disposed of.
Pellets are made from the byproducts of lumber processing which would otherwise be thrown away. They are renewable and release far less particulates into the air than traditional wood-burning stoves resulting in a very clean burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens, and other harmful chemicals produced by pellet stoves is significantly lower than that of modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified.
Due to the low emissions they produce, these stoves don't require to be vented through a chimney like traditional wood stoves, but they must be properly vented through a wall or an exterior structure. Pellet stoves have flue ports that open on the rear or get more info top of the appliance and are connected to a vent pipe that extends outside of the home.
A pellet stove comes with one drawback it requires you to purchase or store enough fuel pellets to last for the entire winter season. On average, owners of pellet stoves use three tons of pellets over the course of winter season at a cost of $200 per ton. The costs can increase over time however it's much cheaper than buying and hauling firewood for an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace or stove. It is recommended to purchase enough pellets so that your stove will run throughout the winter's coldest months. Also, you require a location to store the pellets (preferably dry and cool).
3. Reduce Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves produce heat using renewable biomass fuel, reducing reliance on finite fossils fuels. This reduces carbon footprints and increases the diversity of the sources of energy for homes.
Even the most modern woodstoves that are EPA certified emit significantly less than pellet stoves. The emissions from pellet stoves also are considerably lower than ones from gas furnaces. Pellets can be made of sawdust or bark, as well as other lumber fragments. They could also include soybeans, corn, or agricultural waste. When they are burned, they emit less particulates, which could cause respiratory issues and allergies as well as carcinogens and nitrous oxide.
The primary difference between the wood stove and the pellet stove is the feed system. Pellet stoves come with hoppers that hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors signal that the room needs heating, the furnace turns. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber and burn to generate heat. The air from combustion chamber is pumped through a heat exchanger that transfers heat to the blower. This process produces very low emissions, and creosote is not produced.
After the hopper is empty, the ash is removed by a cyclone and it is then deposited into an ash container. The stove is fitted with an air-flow system that circulates the clean, heated air throughout the room. Most pellet stoves are made to be maintenance-free and have a large viewing space for you and your family members to enjoy the flames.
The most significant aspect that affects emissions from stoves made of pellets is the quality of the pellets. Poor-quality pellets will produce more emissions. When choosing your pellets, ensure they are certified as meeting certain standards and do not contain other ingredients like petroleum-based or urea-based substances. Also look for a company who offers a warranty and will repair or replace components in case of a problem. Certain states provide homeowners with tax credits in the event that they decide to go greener. This is a great way to help offset the initial cost of this type of stove and make installation more affordable.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves emit very little emissions or smoke compared to wood-burning fireplaces. They also have an electric fan to distribute the heat more evenly across the room. This is a major reason pellet stoves need less maintenance than wood stoves. While wood stoves require regular cleaning of chemicals and particulates to prevent their deterioration stoves can be cleaned using a metal vacuum cleaner.
Many manufacturers have made an effort to design their stoves to be easy to set up and to operate as well as maintain. They come in various styles that complement the design of your home. Some even include a programmable thermostat and remote control as well as a WIFI app so you can manage and monitor your stove from any location in the world.
The majority of pellet stoves have an enormous fuel hopper that can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then pumped to the combustion chamber through an auger. The amount of heat produced and how hot the fire gets depends on the speed at which pellets are fed to the burner. The hopper can either be filled with hardwood pellets composed of dense wood species like hickory and oak or softwood pellets. Many stoves are able to burn biomass pellets made from corn and switchgrass. This is an environmentally friendly alternative.
Because pellet stoves burn such as a clean fuel, they emit less smoke than conventional wood-burning fireplaces and require less maintenance. They don't require a chimney and are therefore a better choice for retrofits or new construction.
Unlike wood stoves, which require regular maintenance to keep free of creosote as well as other chemicals, pellet stoves only need to be periodically inspected 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 according to the model. Your appliance dealer can explain the proper procedure for your particular brand and model. He can also provide information regarding storage and safety, and help you find the correct fuel for your stove.