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 give the appearance of an old-fashioned wood-burning fire.
The auger moves pellets from the hopper to the combustion chamber, where they are ignited and generate heat. Sensors are able to monitor the flame and adjust the speed of operation in order to maintain a desired temperature in the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves are a renewable, non-toxic fuel that is made from compressed sawdust as well as other materials. They are usually put in landfills, but can also be used to create a clean, efficient source of heat. They help homeowners reduce their energy consumption, and thus greenhouse gas emissions. Many pellet stove owners report recouping their initial investment in just several years with lower heating costs.
Pellets are highly compressed and are more dense than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote than traditional fireplaces that burn wood. They are also packed in plastic bags that are sealed to keep out moisture, and require less frequent cleaning.
Similar to other heating systems, pellet stoves need to be properly sized and vented. A skilled technician can evaluate your space requirements and venting requirements in order to get the best results.
When the hearth is installed, it is constructed to the right size, and the vent is installed through a hole that has been cut in your home's siding. The vent is then installed on either a side wall or the roof, based on your preference and local regulations.
After the hearth and vent 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 keep the fire burning, whereas others provide additional sensors to monitor airflow and combustion as well as flue temperatures and pressure. When the system detects that it requires more or less pellets, it signals the auger to speed up or slow down in line with the need.
Each stove comes with an hopper for storage that can hold from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets until they're required. The size of the hopper will determine how often you need to refill your stove. Larger hoppers allow for longer periods before refills is required. A grille draws air from the room, then passes it over the heat exchanger and then blows heated air through the living area through convection. A grate, auger or other device distributes the pellets, and a pan below is used to collect any unburned ones and also any combustion leftovers.
While pellet stoves are more efficient than wood-burning models, they're not as efficient as natural gas furnaces or electric heaters. The electric components that drive their motorized components require an electrical supply, which could be a problem during a power outage, though backup systems are readily available for batteries and generators.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, however they require some care to run correctly. Cleaning your stove and exhaust vent regularly will help prevent the accumulation of harmful creosote, which can cause a fire or explosion that can damage your stove or even your home.
A pellet stove burns compressed natural wood particles or other materials (like nutshells, corn kernels or small pieces of scrap wood). The pellets are introduced into the combustion chamber via an electric auger. go to these guys choose controls the rate of pellets being fed to the burner. This allows the fire to keep roaring or lower and even stop in accordance with the temperature you set. When the fire is out, the ash is dropped into an empty ash tray beneath the burner that can be easily removed and then disposed of.
Pellets are made from byproducts that could have been discarded in the process of processing lumber. They are a sustainable source and emit less particulates than traditional wood-burning appliances making them a cleaner burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens and other harmful chemicals that are released from pellet stoves are also significantly lower than the more modern EPA certified wood stoves.
Due to the low emissions the stoves don't require to be vented through a chimney as traditional wood stoves, but they must be properly vented through a wall or another external structure. Pellet stoves come with flue ports that are located on the front or back of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe that extends out the house.
One drawback of a pellet stove is that you have to purchase or store enough pellets to last the winter time. On average, owners of pellet stoves consume three tons of pellets throughout the course of winter season at a cost of $200 per ton. The costs can will increase over time however it's much less expensive than buying and hauling firewood to an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace or stove. Make sure you buy enough pellets so that your stove can function throughout the coldest winter months and you have a suitable location to store the pellets (preferably cool, dry and away from the ground).
3. Reduce Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves use renewable biomass fuel to create heat, which reduces the need for fossil fuels that are finite. This helps reduce the carbon footprint as well as helping diversify the sources of energy used in homes.
Even the most modern woodstoves that are EPA certified emit significantly less than pellet stoves. The emissions from pellet stoves are much lower than ones from gas furnaces. Pellets are made from sawdust and bark as well as other lumber remnants. They can also include soybeans, corn or other agricultural waste. When they are burned, they release less particulates (leading to respiratory issues and allergies) carcinogens, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides.
The feed system is the major difference between a pellet stove and a wood stove. Pellet stoves have hoppers that hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors signal that the room needs heating, the auger turns. The pellets are then placed in the combustion chamber and are burned to produce heat. The combustion chamber moves through a heat exchanger which transmits the heat to the blower before releasing it into the room. This process results in very low emissions and no creosote buildup.
After the hopper has been empty, a cyclone process removes the ash and places it in an ash jar. The stove is fitted with a fan that circulates the clean, heated air throughout the room. Most pellet stoves require minimal maintenance and feature a large viewing space for you and your loved ones to relax and enjoy the flames.
The main factor that influences emissions from pellet stoves is the quality of the pellets. Poor-quality pellets will produce more emissions. When choosing your pellets, ensure they're certified to meet certain standards and do not contain other ingredients like petroleum-based or urea-based products. Also, look for a manufacturer that has a warranty and will repair or replace any part in the event of a problem. Some states offer homeowners a tax credit when they choose to go even greener. This is a great option to help offset the initial cost of this type of stove and make installation more affordable.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves generate less smoke and exhaust when compared to wood-burning fireplaces. They also have an electric fan to distribute heat more evenly throughout the room. This feature is one reason why pellet stoves require less maintenance than wood stoves. While wood stoves have to be regularly cleaned of particulates and chemicals pellet stoves require a specialized metal vacuum cleaner for routine cleaning.
Many manufacturers have made a conscious effort to create stoves that will be simple to set up and operate as well as maintain. They also design their appliances in a wide range of styles that can be matched to your home's decor. Some models include an app for WIFI, a remote control and thermostat that can be programmed.
The majority of pellet stoves have a large fuel hopper which can hold anywhere from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber using an auger. The speed at which pellets are delivered to the burner determines how hot the fire is and also the amount of heat produced. 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). Some stoves will even burn alternative biomass pellets, like those made from switchgrass or corn that can be an eco-friendly option.
Because pellet stoves use an environmentally friendly fuel, they emit less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces and require fewer maintenance. They also do not require a chimney, making them a more appropriate option for new construction or retrofits.
Pellet stoves do not require regular cleaning of creosote or other chemical 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. The dealer of your appliance can explain the correct procedures for the specific model and brand. They can also provide details about storage and safety and assist you in locating the right fuel for your stove.