Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a supplemental heat source or, with proper venting, as a primary heating option. These stoves are available in freestanding models as well as fireplace inserts. They can provide the appearance of an old-fashioned wood-burning fire.
The auger carries pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber, where they are burned to create heat. Sensors are used to monitor the fire and adjust the speed of operation to keep your 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 dumped in landfills, but can be used to create a sustainable and clean source of heating. They aid homeowners in reducing their energy usage, and therefore greenhouse gas emissions. Many homeowners who own pellet stoves say they have recouped their initial investment in only a few years through lower heating costs.
Pellets are extremely compressed and more solid than natural wood, which makes them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote than traditional wood-burning fires. They are also packed in plastic bags that are sealed to keep out moisture, and require less frequent cleaning.
Pellet stoves, like other heating systems, need to be properly sized and vented. A skilled technician can assess your space and venting requirements to ensure the best results.
In good pellet stoves of installation, the hearth is constructed to fit the space and the vent is inserted through a pre-cut hole in your home's siding. The vent can then be placed on a side wall or through the roof, based on your preference and local regulations.
Once the hearth and vent are done the pellet stove can be plugged in. Certain manufacturers offer an electronic remote control that makes it simple to begin and maintain the fire, while other manufacturers offer additional sensors that monitor combustion and airflow as well as flue temperatures and pressure. When the system detects it requires more pellets or less, it will signal to the auger that it should accelerate or slow down in line with the needs.
Each stove comes with a hopper for storage that holds from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets until needed. The size of the hopper determines how often you need to refill your stove. Larger hoppers allow for longer periods before refills is needed. A grille draws air out of the room, passes it through the heat exchanger and blows heated air in the living area through convection. A grate or an auger distributes the pellets, and a pan underneath is used to collect any burned ones, along with the combustion residue.
Although 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 parts of the stoves require electricity. This could pose an issue in the event of power failure, although backup systems like generators and batteries are readily available.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are incredibly efficient, but like any major heating appliance they require some care to ensure they are operating properly. Cleaning your stove and its exhaust vent regularly will prevent the buildup of harmful creosote, which can cause a fire or explosion that could damage your stove or even your home.
A pellet stove burns compressed natural wood pellets or other materials (like corn kernels, nutshells or small pieces of scrap wood). The pellets are fed into the combustion chamber via an electric auger. The thermostat you choose controls the speed at which pellets are fed to the burner. This allows the fire to remain roaring, or to lower the rate or even shut down according to the temperature you set. When the fire is out the ash is thrown into an empty ash tin beneath the burner. It can then be easily removed and disposed.
Pellets are made from byproducts that could have been discarded when processing lumber. They are a renewable resource and emit less particulates than traditional wood-burning stoves, making them a cleaner heating source. The amount of carcinogens, carbon monoxide and other harmful chemicals released from pellet stoves are also significantly lower than the more modern EPA certified wood stoves.
These stoves aren't required to be vented through a chimney, like is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they must be vented correctly through a wall or other structure outside. Pellet stoves have flue ports that open from the rear or the top of the appliance. They are connected to an exhaust pipe that extends outside the home.
One drawback of pellet stoves is that you must purchase or store enough pellets to last the winter time. Pellet stove owners typically use three tons of wood pellets per winter, at a cost of $200 per ton. The costs can increase over time however it's much cheaper than buying and transporting firewood for a traditional wood-burning fireplace or stove. You should buy enough pellets to ensure that your stove can run through the coldest winter months. Additionally, you will require a location to store the pellets (preferably dry and cool).
3. Reduce carbon footprint
Pellet stoves utilize renewable biomass fuel to generate heat, reducing dependence on finite fossil fuels. This reduces carbon footprints and diversifies energy sources for homes.
Emissions from pellet stoves are much lower than those from woodstoves, even newer stoves that are EPA-certified. The emissions from pellet stoves also are significantly lower than the ones from gas furnaces. Pellets are made from sawdust and bark as well as other lumber fragments. They could also include corn, soybeans or agricultural waste. When burned, they emit fewer particulates (leading to respiratory issues and allergies), carcinogens and carbon monoxide as well as nitrogen oxides.
The feed system is the primary difference between pellet stoves and wood stove. Pellet stoves have hoppers which hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors suggest that the room is in need of heating, the furnace turns. The pellets are fed into the combustion chamber and are burned to produce heat. The air from combustion chamber is passed through a heat-exchanger, which transfers heat to the blower. This process produces very low emissions, and creosote is not produced.
After the hopper has been empty, a cyclone removes the ash and deposits it in an ash pan. The stove is equipped with an air-flow system that circulates the clean, heated air throughout the room. Most pellet stoves require only minimal maintenance and feature a large viewing area for you and your family members to enjoy the flames.
The quality of pellets is the main element that influences the emissions from pellet stoves. Pellets that are not of the highest quality produce more emissions. When selecting your pellets, ensure that they are certified to meet specific standards and don't contain other ingredients, such as urea or petroleum products. Also, look for a manufacturer who offers a warranty and will repair or replace parts in the event of a problem. Certain states provide homeowners with tax credits in the event that they decide to go even greener. This is a great way to to offset the initial cost of this kind of stove and make it more affordable to set up.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce less smoke and exhaust when compared to wood burning fireplaces. A fan is employed to distribute heat more evenly in the room. This is one of the reasons why pellet stoves require much less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves require frequent cleaning of particulates and chemicals to avoid deterioration, pellet stoves can be cleaned using an electric vacuum cleaner.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves in a way that they are easy to install and operate as well as maintain. They also offer their stoves with a variety of styles that can be matched to the decor of your home. Some come with programmable thermostats remote control, as well as WIFI applications that allow you to monitor and manage your stove from any location in the world.
The majority of pellet stoves come with an enormous fuel hopper that 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 pellets are fed to the burner determines how hot the flame is as well as the amount of heat it produces. The hopper can be filled with either hardwood pellets (from dense wood species such as oak and hickory) or softwood pellets (from pine and fir). Many stoves can even burn alternative biomass pellets, like those made from corn or switchgrass which are an eco-friendly option.
Pellet stoves produce less smoke and require less maintenance because they use a more clean fuel than fireplaces that burn wood. They do not need chimneys, making them an ideal choice for retrofits and new construction.
Pellet stoves do not require regular cleaning of creosote or other chemical like wood stoves. They require only periodic inspections to ensure the 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 explain the correct procedures for your specific brand and model. They can also provide details about storage and safety and help you find the right fuel for your stove.