Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a supplemental heating source or, with proper venting, as a primary heating option. They can be purchased as freestanding units or as fireplace inserts that can give your home the appearance of a traditional wood-burning fireplace.
The auger transports pellets from the hopper into 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 burn renewable non-toxic, non-toxic fuel that is made from compressed sawdust, bark, wood chips, and other materials normally placed in landfills but which can be used to create a sustainable and clean source of heating. They help homeowners reduce their energy consumption, and therefore greenhouse gas emissions. Many homeowners who own pellet stoves say they have recouped their initial investment within just a few years, thanks to lower heating costs.
Pellets are more dense and compressed than natural wood, making them more efficient in burning. They also produce much less creosote buildup than traditional fireplaces made of wood. Furthermore, they are packaged in plastic bags to stop moisture from entering and require less frequent cleaning.
Pellet stoves, as with other heating systems need to be properly vented and sized. A professional technician can evaluate your venting requirements and space requirements in order to get the best results.
When the installation is completed, a hearth is built according to your specifications and the vent is installed through a hole that is cut in the exterior of your home. The vent can be run through a sidewall or roof depending on your preference and local laws.
When the vent and hearth are completed then the pellet stove can be connected and turned on. Some manufacturers provide a remote control to make it simple to start and keep the fire going, while other manufacturers offer additional sensors that check airflow and combustion flue temperatures, as well as pressure. If the system is able to determine that it needs more pellets or less, it sends a signal to the auger that it should accelerate or slow it down accordingly.
Every stove has an hopper for storage that can hold from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets until needed. Hopper capacities determine how often the stove has to be filled and larger hoppers allow for longer periods between refills. A grille draws air out of the room, then passes it through the heat exchanger, and then blows heated air into the living area through convection. A grate or auger distributes the pellets, while an under-sink pan collects any unburnt ones along with combustion residue.
While pellet stoves are more efficient than wood-burning stoves, they're not as efficient as natural gas furnaces or electric heaters. Electric components that drive motorized components of the stoves require electricity. This could pose an issue in the event of power outage, though backup systems like batteries and generators are available.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are incredibly efficient, but like any other major heating appliance, they require a bit of maintenance to keep them running correctly. Cleaning your stove's exhaust vent and the stove will stop the accumulation of harmful creosote that can cause an explosion, fire, or damage to your home or stove.
A pellet stove uses natural particles that are compressed (such as kernels, nutshells of corn, or small pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other substances. The pellets are inserted into the combustion chamber through an auger that is powered by electricity. The thermostat you choose controls the rate at which pellets are fed to the burner. The fire can be kept burning or reduced or even snuffed out depending on the temperature you set. The ash will be disposed in an empty ash tray beneath the burner. It is easily removed and disposed.
Pellets are made from byproducts that could have been discarded during the process of processing lumber. They are renewable resources and release significantly less particles into the air than traditional wood-burning stoves resulting in a very clean burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens, and other harmful chemicals that are released from pellet stoves are also much lower than the newer EPA certified wood stoves.
Because of the low emissions the stoves do not need to be vented through chimneys like traditional wood stoves, but should be properly vented through a wall or an exterior structure. Pellet stoves are equipped with flue ports at the top or rear of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe which extends outside the home.
One disadvantage of pellet stoves is that you must purchase or store enough pellets to last the winter season. On average, homeowners of a pellet stove consume three tons of pellets during the course of the winter season at a cost of $200 per ton. The costs can add up however they are much less expensive than buying firewood and hauling it for a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Make sure that you purchase enough pellets to ensure that your stove will work through the coldest winter months, and that you have a suitable place to store them (preferably cool, dry and away from the ground).
3. Reduce carbon footprint
Pellet stoves generate heat using renewable biomass fuel, reducing reliance on finite here fossils fuels. This contributes to a reduced carbon footprint and helps diversify energy sources in homes.
Emissions from pellet stoves are much less than woodstoves, even newer ones that are EPA-certified. Emissions from pellet stoves are also considerably lower than those from gas furnaces. Pellets can be made of sawdust and bark as well as other lumber fragments. They can also include corn, soybeans or agricultural waste. When they are burned, they release less particulates, which can cause respiratory problems and allergies as well as carcinogens and nitrous oxide.
The major difference between wood stoves and pellet stove is the feed system. Pellet stoves come with hoppers that contain the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate the room needs heating, the auger is turned. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber and burn to produce heat. The air from combustion chamber is then pumped through a heat exchanger which transmits heat to the blower. This process results in low emissions and no creosote buildup.
After the hopper is empty, the ash gets removed by a cyclone, and it is then deposited into an ash container. The stove also contains an air circulator to move the warm, clean air into the living room. The majority of pellet stoves require little maintenance and come with a huge viewing area for you and your family members to enjoy the flames.
The main factor that influences emissions from pellet stoves is the quality of the pellets. Pellets that are not of the highest quality will cause more emissions. When selecting your pellets ensure that they're certified to meet certain standards and do not contain other ingredients like petroleum-based or urea-based substances. Choose a company with a warranty and will repair or replace parts in the event of an issue. If you're looking to take the greener route, some states allow homeowners to claim a tax deduction for installing pellet stoves. 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 emit very little emissions or smoke compared to wood-burning fireplaces. A fan is used to distribute heat more evenly in the room. This is a major reason pellet stoves need less maintenance than wood stoves. While wood stoves must be regularly cleaned of dust and chemicals, pellet stoves only need a specialized metal vacuum cleaner for regular cleaning.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves to ensure that they are simple to set up and operate as well as maintain. They also offer their stoves in a wide range of styles to match the decor of your home. Some even come with a programmable thermostat remote control, as well as WIFI app so you can manage and monitor your stove from anywhere in the world.
The majority of pellet stoves have a large fuel hopper which can hold 35 to 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then fed to the combustion chamber by an auger. The heat output and the level at which the fire gets depends on the speed at which the pellets are fed to the burner. 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 can even make use of alternative biomass pellets such as those made from switchgrass or corn, which can be an environmentally friendly option.
Since pellet stoves burn a clean fuel, they emit less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces, and require less maintenance. They don't require a chimney and are therefore the best option for retrofits or new construction.
As opposed to wood stoves that need to be kept regularly cleaned of creosote and other chemicals, pellet stoves only need to be periodically inspected to ensure proper operation and maintenance. This may include regular cleaning and inspection of the ash or "clinker" as well as the motors and fans, depending on the model. Your appliance dealer can explain the proper procedure for your particular brand and model. He can also help you identify the right fuel for your stove, and give information on storage and safety.