Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves are offered as freestanding units or fireplace inserts that can give your home the look of a traditional fireplace that burns wood. They are available in freestanding units as well as fireplace inserts that can give your home the appearance of an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace.
The auger moves pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber where they are burned and produce heat. Sensors monitor the flame and can alter the speed of operation in order to maintain a desired temperature in 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 typically placed in landfills but which can be repurposed into an efficient and clean source of heating. They help homeowners reduce their energy usage, and consequently greenhouse gas emissions. Many homeowners who own pellet stoves say they have recouped their initial investment in just a few years, thanks to lower heating bills.
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 fireplaces. Additionally, they are packed in plastic bags to keep out moisture and require less frequent cleaning.
Pellet stoves, just like other heating systems, need to be sized and vented properly. A trained technician will be able to determine the space requirements and venting requirements to achieve the most efficient results.
During installation, the hearth is built to size and the vent is fitted through a pre-cut hole your home's siding. The vent may be installed through a roof or sidewall depending on your preference and local laws.
After the hearth and vent are complete, the pellet stove can be connected and turned on. Certain manufacturers offer a remote control to make it simple to begin and keep the fire burning, whereas others offer additional sensors that check airflow and combustion, flue temperatures, and pressure. If the system determines that it needs more pellets or less, it sends a signal to the auger to speed up or slow it down accordingly.
All stoves have a hopper for storage that holds between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets until they're required. The size of the hopper determines how often you need to refill your stove. Larger hoppers can be used for longer periods before a refill is required. A grille pulls air from the room, then passes it over the heat exchanger and then blows heated air into the living space through convection. A auger, grate or any other device distributes pellets and a pan beneath is used to collect 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 an electrical supply, which could be problematic during an power outage, even though backup systems are in place for generators and batteries.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are incredibly efficient, however, like any major heating appliance they require a bit of maintenance to ensure they are operating properly. Cleaning your stove and its exhaust vent regularly will stop the accumulation of harmful creosote. This could cause a fire or explosion that could damage your stove and/or house.
A pellet stove burns compressed natural particles made of wood or other materials (like corn kernels, nutshells or small pieces of scrap wood). An auger powered by electricity feeds the pellets from a fuel hopper into the burner and into the combustion chamber. The rate at which the pellets are fed into the burner is controlled by the thermostat you set. The fire can continue to roar or modulated lower and even extinguished in accordance with the temperature you set. The ash is disposed of in an empty ash tray underneath the burner. This can easily be removed and disposed.
Pellets are created from the waste products from lumber processing that would otherwise be thrown away. They are a renewable resource and produce less dust than traditional wood-burning appliances, making them a cleaner heating source. The amount of carcinogens, carbon monoxide and other harmful chemicals released from pellet stoves are also much lower than the newer EPA certified wood stoves.
Due to the low emission they produce, these stoves are not required to be vented through a chimney as traditional wood stoves, but they must be properly vented through a wall or an exterior structure. Pellet stoves come with flue ports that open at the top or rear of the appliance. They are connected to an exhaust pipe that extends outside of the home.
One disadvantage of pellet stoves is that you need to purchase or store enough pellets to last the winter months. 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 then hauling it away for a wood-burning stove or fireplace. Make sure that you purchase enough pellets so that your stove can function through the coldest winter months, and that you have a suitable space to store the pellets (preferably cool, dry and off the ground).
3. Reduce carbon footprint
Pellet stoves use renewable biomass fuel to generate heat, reducing dependence on fossil fuels that are depleted. This reduces carbon footprints as well as diversifying the sources of energy for homes.
The emissions of pellet stoves are significantly lower than those from woodstoves, even newer stoves that are EPA-certified. The emissions from pellet stoves are also less than those from gas furnaces. Pellets are made of compressed sawdust, bark, and other lumber leftovers and can also comprise different materials like soybeans, corn, nutshells, cherry pits, and agricultural waste. When they are burned, they release less particulates (leading to respiratory problems and allergies) carcinogens and carbon monoxide as well as nitrogen oxides.
The feed system is the major difference between pellet stoves and wood stove. Pellet stoves have hoppers which hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate the room requires heating, the auger turns. The pellets are then placed in the combustion chamber and burn to produce heat. The air from combustion chamber is then pumped through a heat exchanger which transmits heat to the blower. This process produces very low emissions, and creosote does not created.
After the hopper is empty, a cyclone action removes the ash and deposits it in an ash pan. The stove is equipped with a fan that circulates warm, fresh air into the room. Most pellet stoves require minimal maintenance and feature a large viewing area for you and your family to relax and enjoy the flames.
The quality of pellets is the primary factor that influences pellet stove emissions. The poor quality pellets will result in more emissions. When choosing your pellets, make sure they're certified to meet certain standards and don't contain other ingredients, such as petroleum products or urea. Also look for a company that has a warranty and will repair or replace components in case of a problem. Some states offer homeowners tax credits when they choose to go greener. This is a great way to help offset the initial cost of this type stove and make installation more affordable.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce very little smoke or exhaust compared to wood-burning fireplaces. They also have an electric fan to distribute heat more evenly throughout the space. This feature is one reason pellet stoves need less maintenance than wood stoves. While wood stoves require frequent cleaning of particulates and chemicals to prevent their deterioration stoves can be cleaned by the use of a vacuum cleaner made of metal.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves in a way that they are easy to set up and operate as well as maintain. They also offer their stoves in a wide range of styles to match the decor of your home. Some even come with programmable thermostats remote control, as well as WIFI apps that let you manage and monitor your stove from any location in the world.
Most pellet stoves have an enormous fuel hopper which can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then fed to the combustion chamber by an auger. The speed at which the pellets are fed to the burner determines how hot the flame is as well as the amount of heat it produces. The hopper may be filled with hardwood pellets made from wood with a dense structure like hickory and oak, or softwood pellets. Many read more stoves can even use alternative biomass pellets, such as those made of corn or switchgrass that can be an eco-friendly option.
Pellet stoves emit less smoke and require less maintenance because they use a less polluting fuel than wood-burning fireplaces. They do not need chimneys, making them a better option for retrofits or new construction.
Pellet stoves do not require regular cleaning of creosote and other chemicals like wood stoves. They only need periodic inspections to ensure their proper operation and maintenance. This may include regular cleaning and inspection of the ash or "clinker" as well as the motors and fans, depending on the model. Your appliance dealer can explain the proper procedure for your particular brand and model. They can also provide details about storage and safety and assist you in locating the right fuel for your stove.