Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a secondary heat source or, if you have proper venting, as a primary heating option. They are available as freestanding models as well as fireplace inserts. They can provide the appearance of a traditional wood-burning fire.
The auger moves pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber where they are ignited and generate heat. Sensors detect the fire and adjust its 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 put in landfills, but can be turned into a clean and efficient source of heating. As a result, they aid homeowners in reducing their energy usage and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Many people who use pellet stoves report that they recoup their initial investment in only a couple of years, through a reduction in their heating bills.
Pellets are highly compressed and more solid than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote than traditional wood-burning fires. Furthermore, they are stored in plastic bags that keep out moisture and require less frequent cleaning.
Like other heating systems pellet stoves should be properly size and vented. A trained technician can determine the venting needs and space requirements in order to get the most efficient results.
In the process of installation, the hearth is constructed to fit the space and the vent is inserted through a pre-cut hole in the siding of your home. The vent can be positioned through a sidewall or a roof depending on your preference and the local laws.
Once the vent and hearth are done and the stove is ready to be connected. Some manufacturers provide the option of a remote control to make it simple to start and keep the fire going, while others offer additional sensors that monitor airflow and combustion as well as flue temperatures and pressure. If the system determines that it needs more pellets or less, it signals to the auger that it should speed up or slow it down in line with the needs.
All stoves come with a container that 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 allow for longer time periods before refills is needed. A grille draws fresh air from the room and then passes it through a heat exchanger, which then is able to blow heated air into the living space by convection. A auger, grate or other device distributes the pellets, and a pan below is used to collect any unburned ones as well as the combustion remnants.
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. This could pose an issue in the event of a power failure, although backup systems like batteries and generators are available.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are incredibly efficient, but just like any other major heating appliance, they require some maintenance to keep them running correctly. Cleaning regularly your stove's exhaust vent and stove will prevent the build-up of harmful creosote that can cause an explosion, fire or damage to your stove or home.
A pellet stove burns natural particles made of wood or other materials (like nutshells, corn kernels or small pieces of scrap wood). The pellets are fed into the combustion chamber via an auger that is powered by electricity. The speed at which pellets are fed into the burner is controlled by the thermostat you set. This lets the fire remain roaring or modulate lower or even shut down depending on your set temperature. The ash is disposed of in an empty ash tray beneath the burner. This can easily be removed and then disposed.
Pellets are made from byproducts that would have been discarded when processing lumber. They are renewable resources and release far less particulates into the air than traditional wood-burning stoves, which results in a clean burning heat source. The amount of carcinogens, carbon monoxide and other harmful chemicals that are released from pellet stoves are also much lower than the newer EPA certified wood stoves.
These appliances are not required to be vented through chimneys, as is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they should be vented correctly via a wall, or any other exterior structure. Pellet stoves have flue ports that open at the top or rear of the appliance and are connected to a vent pipe that extends outside the home.
One drawback of a pellet stove is that you must purchase or store enough pellets to last the winter time. Pellet stove owners typically consume three tons of wood pellets per winter, at a cost of $200 per ton. The costs can add up but they're less expensive than buying firewood and hauling it for the wood-burning fireplace or stove. You should buy enough pellets to ensure your stove will be able to run through the coldest winter months. Additionally, you will require a location to keep the pellets (preferably dry and cool).
3. Reduce carbon footprint
Pellet stoves generate heat using renewable biomass fuel, which reduces reliance on finite fossils fuels. This reduces carbon footprints as well as diversifying the sources of energy for homes.
The emissions from pellet stoves are significantly lower than wood stoves, and even the latest EPA-certified ones. The emissions of pellet stoves are also less than those from gas furnaces. Pellets are made up of wood, sawdust and other wood wastes. They may also contain various other materials including corn, soybeans as well as nutshells, cherries pits, and agricultural waste. When they are burned, they emit less particles, which can cause respiratory problems and allergies, carcinogens and nitrous dioxide.
The main difference between a wood stove and a pellet stove is the feed system. Pellet stoves have hoppers that hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors signal that the room requires heating, the auger turns and the pellets are pumped into the combustion chamber where they burn and generate heat. The air from combustion chamber is pumped through a heat exchanger which transmits heat to the blower. This process produces very low emissions, and creosote is not formed.
After the hopper has been empty, the ash is removed by a cyclone, and it is then deposited into an ash container. The stove is fitted with a fan that circulates the clean, heated air throughout the room. Most pellet stoves are designed to be maintenance-free and feature a large viewing space for you and your family members to take in the flames.
The quality of pellets is the most important factor that affects the emissions of pellet stoves. The poor quality pellets will result in more emissions. When choosing your pellets ensure that they are certified to meet specific standards and don't contain other ingredients such as urea or petroleum products. Find a business with a warranty and will repair or replace parts in the event of a problem. Some states offer homeowners tax credits in the event that they decide to go even greener. This is a great opportunity to to offset the initial cost of this type of stove and make it easier to install.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce a minimal amount of smoke or exhaust compared to wood-burning fireplaces. A fan is employed to spread heat more evenly across the room. This is a major reason why pellet stoves require less maintenance than wood stoves. While wood stoves require regular cleaning of particulates and chemicals to avoid deterioration, pellet stoves can be cleaned by a metal vacuum cleaner.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves to ensure that they are easy to set up, operate and maintain. They also offer their stoves in a variety of styles that will match the decor of your home. Some come with a programmable thermostat remote control, as well as WIFI applications that allow you to control and monitor your stove from any location in the world.
Most pellet stoves come with a large fuel hopper which can hold 35 to 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then pumped into the combustion chamber using an auger. The output of heat and how hot the fire is will depend on the speed at which the pellets are fed into the burner. The hopper can be filled with either hardwood pellets (from dense wood species like oak and hickory) or softwood pellets (from pine and fir). Many stoves can use biomass pellets made of switchgrass and corn. This is a green alternative.
Because pellet stoves burn such as a clean fuel, they produce far less smoke than conventional wood-burning fireplaces, and require click here less maintenance. They also don't require a chimney, making them a much more suitable option for new construction or retrofits.
In contrast to wood stoves, which require regular maintenance to keep cleaned of creosote and other chemicals, pellet stoves require periodic inspections for proper operation and maintenance. This could include periodic cleaning and inspection of the ash or "clinker" as well as the fans and motors according to the model. Your appliance dealer will be able to explain the correct procedures for your specific brand and model. He can also help you find the correct fuel for your stove, and give information regarding storage and safety.