Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be purchased as freestanding units or fireplace inserts that can give your home the look of a traditional fireplace that burns wood. 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 the pellets out of the hopper to the combustion chamber, where they are burnt and generate heat. Sensors are used to monitor the fire and adjust its rate of operation to maintain your desired room temperature.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves use renewable, non-toxic fuel that is made from compressed sawdust and other materials. non electric pellet stove are usually put in landfills, but can also be used to create a clean and efficient source of heat. They help homeowners reduce their energy use and consequently greenhouse gas emissions. Many pellet stove owners say they have recouped their initial investment in only a few years, thanks to lower heating bills.
Pellets are much more dense and compressed than natural wood, making them more efficient in burning. They also produce less creosote buildup than traditional fireplaces that burn wood. They are also packed in plastic bags that seal out moisture and require less frequent cleaning.
Like other heating systems, pellet stoves need to be properly size and vented. A professional technician can evaluate your venting requirements and space requirements in order to get the most efficient results.
During installation, a hearth will be constructed according to your specifications and the vent is installed via an opening that is cut into the siding of your home. The vent may be installed through a roof or sidewall depending on your preference and local laws.
Once the vent and hearth are finished and the stove is ready to be connected and turned on. Certain manufacturers offer an electronic remote control that makes it easy to start and maintain the fire, while others offer additional sensors that monitor airflow and combustion flue temperatures, as well as pressure. When the system detects it requires more or fewer pellets, it will signal the auger to accelerate or slow down in line with the need.
All stoves come with a tank that can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. Hopper capacities determine how often the stove has to be filled, with larger hoppers allowing for longer periods between refills. A grille draws fresh air from the room and then passes it through an exchanger that then blasts heated air into the living space by convection. A auger, grate or another device distributes the pellets and a pan below will collect any pellets that are not burned and also any combustion leftovers.
Pellet stoves are more energy-efficient than wood-burning models, but aren't as efficient as natural gas or electric furnaces. The electric components that drive their motorized components require an electrical supply and could pose an issue during a power outage, even though backup systems are readily available like generators and batteries.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves can be extremely efficient, however they require some care to operate properly. Cleaning your stove and its exhaust vent regularly will help prevent the accumulation of dangerous creosote that could cause a fire or explosion that could damage the stove and/or your home.
A pellet stove uses natural particles that are compressed (such as nutshells, kernels of corn or tiny pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other substances. An electric-powered auger will feed the pellets from a fuel hopper into the burner and into the combustion chamber. The thermostat you choose controls the speed at which pellets are fed to the burner. The fire can be kept roaring or decreased or even extinguished according to the temperature you set. The ash is disposed of in an empty ash tray underneath the burner. It is easily removed and disposed.
Pellets are made from the waste products of lumber processing that would otherwise be discarded. They are a renewable source and emit less particles than traditional wood-burning appliances making pellet stoves a cleaner heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens and other harmful chemicals released by pellet stoves is significantly lower than that of modern wood stoves that have been certified by the EPA.
They are not required to be vented via chimneys, as is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they can be vented correctly through a wall, or other structure outside. Pellet stoves have flue ports that are located on the rear or top of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe which extends out the house.
A pellet stove has one disadvantage that you must purchase or store enough fuel pellets to last for the entire winter time. Pellet stove owners typically consume three tons of wood pellets every winter, which is a cost of $200 per ton. The costs can add up over the years however, it's cheaper than buying and hauling firewood to a traditional wood-burning fireplace or stove. Make sure that you purchase enough pellets to ensure that your stove can function through the coldest months and that you have a suitable place to store the pellets (preferably dry, cool and off the ground).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves produce heat using renewable biomass fuel, reducing reliance on finite fossils fuels. This contributes to a reduced carbon footprint and helps diversify the energy sources used in homes.
Even the newest woodstoves that are EPA certified emit considerably less carbon dioxide than pellet stoves. The emissions from pellet stoves are also considerably less than those from gas furnaces. Pellets are made from sawdust, bark, and other lumber fragments. They may also contain soybeans, corn, or agricultural waste. When they are burned, they emit less particulates, which can cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions and carcinogens as well as nitrous dioxide.
The feed system is the major difference between pellet stoves and wood stove. Pellet stoves are equipped with hoppers to hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors signal that the room is in need of heating, the auger turns. The pellets are then put into the combustion chamber and burn to produce heat. The combustion chamber flows through a heat exchanger which transmits the heat to the blower and then out into the room. This process results in low emissions and no creosote accumulation.
After the hopper has been empty, a cyclone process takes away the ash and puts it in an ash pan. The stove is fitted with a fan that circulates warm, fresh air into the room. The majority of pellet stoves are made to run with minimal maintenance and have a large viewing window that allows you and your family to enjoy the flames.
The quality of pellets is the most important element that influences the emissions of pellet stoves. Pellets that are not of the highest quality produce more emissions. When choosing your pellets, ensure that they are certified as meeting certain standards and do not contain other ingredients, such as petroleum-based or urea-based substances. Also make sure you choose a manufacturer that offers a guarantee and will repair or replace parts in the event of a malfunction. If you want to take the greener route certain states allow homeowners to claim a tax credit for installing pellet stoves. This is a great option to offset the initial costs of this type of stove and makes installation more affordable.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves emit very little smoke or exhaust when compared to fireplaces with wood burning. A fan is used to spread heat more evenly across the room. This is one of the reasons why pellet stoves require much less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves must be frequently cleaned of chemicals and particulates pellet stoves require an specialized metal vacuum cleaner for routine cleaning.
Many manufacturers have made an effort to design their stoves to be easy to install and to operate as well as maintain. Their appliances come in various styles that are designed to match the decor of your home. Some even come with programmable thermostats and remote control as well as a WIFI apps that let you manage and monitor your stove from any location in the world.
Most pellet stoves have a large fuel hopper that can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber by an auger. The speed at which pellets are fed to the burner determines how hot the flame is and the heat output. The hopper can be filled with hardwood pellets (from dense wood species like oak and hickory) or softwood pellets (from pine and fir). Many stoves are able to burn biomass pellets made from corn and switchgrass. This is an environmentally friendly alternative.
Since pellet stoves burn a clean fuel, they produce far less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces, and require less maintenance. They also don't require chimneys, making them a more appropriate option for new construction or retrofits.
Pellet stoves do not require regular cleaning of creosote or other chemicals similar to wood stoves. They just require periodic inspections to ensure 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 can explain the proper procedures for your specific brand and model. He can also provide you with information regarding storage and safety, and help you find the correct fuel for your stove.