Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a secondary heating source or, with proper venting, as a primary heating option. They are available as freestanding units or 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 ignited and generate heat. Sensors are used to monitor the fire and alter the rate of operation to ensure the desired temperature of the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves burn a sustainable non-toxic fuel composed of compressed sawdust, bark, wood chips, and other materials normally put in landfills, but can be used to create an efficient and clean source of heating. They aid homeowners in reducing their energy consumption, and consequently greenhouse gas emissions. Many pellet stove users report that they recoup their initial investment in a couple of years, by reducing their heating costs.
Pellets are stronger and more compressed than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote compared to traditional wood-burning fires. 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 vented and sized. A professional technician can determine the space requirements and venting requirements to ensure the most efficient results.
When the installation is completed, a hearth is built according to your specifications, and the vent is installed through an opening that is cut into the siding of your home. The vent can then be installed on either a side wall or the roof, depending on your preference and the local regulations.
Once the vent and hearth are finished, the pellet stove may be plugged in. Some manufacturers provide a remote control to make it simple to start and keep the fire going, while others offer additional sensors that monitor combustion and airflow flue temperatures, as well as pressure. When the system detects it requires more pellets or less, it will signal to the auger that it needs to accelerate or slow down accordingly.
All stoves come with a hopper which can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The size of the hopper determines how often you need to refill your stove. Larger hoppers can be used for longer time periods before refills is needed. A grille draws fresh air from the room and then passes it over a heat exchanger, which then blows heated air into the living space through convection. A grate or auger distributes the pellets, while an under-sink pan collects any unburnt ones as well as the ashes of combustion.
Pellet stoves are more energy-efficient than wood-burning stoves, but they are not as efficient as electric heaters or natural gas furnaces. Electric components that drive motorized parts of the stoves require an electrical supply. best pellet stove inserts could pose an issue in the event of power outage, but backup systems like generators and batteries are available.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, however, like all major heating appliances, they require a bit of maintenance to ensure they are operating properly. Cleaning your stove and its exhaust vent on a regular basis will stop the accumulation of dangerous creosote that could cause a fire or explosion that can damage your stove or even your home.
A pellet stove burns compressed natural particles made of wood or other materials (like nutshells, corn kernels or small pieces of wood scraps). The pellets are introduced into the combustion chamber via an auger that is powered by electricity. The thermostat you set regulates the speed at which pellets are delivered to the burner. This allows the fire to remain roaring or modulate lower and even go out according to the temperature you set. When the fire is out, the ash is dropped into an empty ash tin beneath the burner, which can be easily removed and then disposed of.
Pellets are made from waste products that would have been thrown away during the process of processing lumber. They are a sustainable source and emit less particulates 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 is significantly lower than the more modern EPA certified wood stoves.
These appliances are not required to be vented through a chimney, as is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they should be vented properly through a wall, or any other exterior structure. Pellet stoves come with flue ports that are located on the top or rear of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe which extends outside the home.
A pellet stove has one drawback: you have to purchase or store enough fuel pellets to last for the entire winter season. Pellet stove owners typically consume three tons of wood pellets every winter, for a price of $200 per ton. The expenses can add up, but they are cheaper than purchasing firewood and then hauling it away for a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Be sure to purchase enough pellets to ensure your stove will last through the coldest months and you have a suitable space to store them (preferably dry, cool and off the ground).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves produce heat using renewable biomass fuel, which reduces the dependence on fossil fuels that are finite. This reduces the carbon footprint and also helps diversify energy sources in homes.
The emissions of pellet stoves are considerably lower than those from woodstoves, including the latest ones that are EPA-certified. The emissions from pellet stoves are also considerably less than those from gas furnaces. Pellets can be made from sawdust and bark as well as other wood remnants. They can also include soybeans, corn, or agricultural waste. When burned, they emit fewer particulates (leading to respiratory issues and allergies) carcinogens, carbon monoxide and the 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 suggest that the room requires heating, the furnace turns and the pellets are fed into the combustion chamber, where they burn and produce heat. The air from combustion chamber is passed through a heat-exchanger, which transfers heat to the blower. This results in extremely low emissions and no creosote buildup.
When the hopper is empty, a cyclone process removes the ash and places it in an ash pot. The stove also contains fans to circulate the clean, heated air into the living room. Most pellet stoves are designed to run with minimal maintenance and have a large viewing window that allows you and your family to take in the flames.
The quality of pellets is the primary factor that influences the emissions from pellet stoves. The poor quality pellets emit more emissions. When selecting your pellets, ensure that they're certified to meet specific standards and don't contain other ingredients like petroleum products or urea. Also make sure you choose a manufacturer that has a warranty and will repair or replace parts in case of a problem. Some states offer homeowners a tax credit if they want to go even 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 produce a minimal amount of emissions or smoke compared to fireplaces with wood burning. A fan is employed to distribute heat more evenly in the room. This is a major reason why pellet stoves require less maintenance than wood stoves. While wood stoves must be frequently cleaned of dust and chemicals pellet stoves require the use of a special metal vacuum cleaner for routine cleaning.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves in a way that they are easy to install and operate as well as maintain. Their appliances come in various styles that match the interior decor of your home. Some even include a programmable thermostat and remote control as well as a WIFI applications that allow you to monitor and manage your stove from any location in the world.
The majority of pellet stoves come with a large fuel hopper which can hold anywhere from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then delivered to the combustion chamber by an auger. The heat output and how hot the fire will get is determined by the speed at which the pellets are fed to the burner. The hopper may be filled with hardwood pellets composed of dense wood species like hickory and oak, or softwood pellets. Many stoves can even make use of alternative biomass pellets like those made from switchgrass or corn, which can be environmentally friendly alternatives.
Since pellet stoves burn an environmentally friendly fuel, they produce far less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces, and require less maintenance. They do not need a chimney and are therefore the best option for retrofits or new construction.
Pellet stoves don't require regular cleaning of creosote or other chemicals similar to wood stoves. They just require periodic inspections to ensure their proper operation and maintenance. This could include periodic 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 procedure for your specific model and brand. He can also assist you to determine the right fuel for your stove, and give information on storage and safety.