Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a secondary heat source or, with proper venting, a primary heating option. They are available as freestanding models or as fireplace inserts. They can give the appearance of a traditional wood-burning fireplace.
The auger transports pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber where they are burned and produce heat. Sensors detect the flame and alter the speed of operation in order to maintain a desired temperature of the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves use renewable, non-toxic fuel made of compressed sawdust and other substances. They are usually disposed of in landfills, but they can be used to create a clean and efficient source of heat. As a result, they aid homeowners in reducing their energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many users of pellet stoves say that they recoup their initial investment in just few years by reducing their heating bills.
Pellets are more dense and compressed than natural wood, which makes them more efficient to burn. They also produce much less creosote buildup than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. They are also packaged in plastic bags that are sealed to keep out moisture, and require less frequent cleaning.
Like other heating systems pellet stoves must be properly size and vented. A skilled technician can evaluate your space requirements and venting requirements to achieve the most efficient results.
During installation, a hearth will be constructed in accordance with your specifications. Then, the vent is installed via a hole pre-cut in the exterior 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 completed, the pellet stove may be connected. Some manufacturers offer a remote control that makes starting and maintaining the fire easy, while others have additional sensors that monitor combustion, airflow and flue temperatures, as well as pressure. When the system detects it requires more or fewer pellets, it tells the auger to accelerate or slow down accordingly.
Every stove has a hopper for storage that holds between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets until they're required. The size of the hopper will determine how often you need to replenish your stove. Larger hoppers can be used for longer periods before a refill is needed. A grille pulls air from the room, passes it through the heat exchanger and then blows heated air into the living space via convection. A grate or an auger distributes the pellets, and a pan underneath is used to collect any burned ones as well as the ashes of combustion.
Although pellet stoves are more efficient than wood-burning models they're not as efficient as natural gas furnaces or electricity-powered heaters. The electric components that drive their motorized parts require electricity, which could be problematic during an power outage, even though backup systems are readily available, such as generators and batteries.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, but they need some care to operate properly. Cleaning your stove and exhaust vent on a regular basis will stop the accumulation of harmful creosote. This can cause a fire or explosion that could damage your stove or even your home.
A pellet stove makes use of compressed natural particles (such as kernels, nutshells of corn, or small pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other materials. The pellets are introduced into the combustion chamber via an auger that is powered by electricity. The thermostat you set regulates 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. When the fire goes out the ash is then thrown into an empty ash tray beneath the burner that can be easily removed and disposed.
Pellets are produced from the waste products from lumber processing that would otherwise be thrown away. 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 emitted from pellet stoves is significantly lower than the more modern EPA certified wood stoves.
Due to the low emission the stoves don't require to be vented through chimneys like traditional wood stoves but should be properly vented through a wall or other external structure. Pellet stoves have flue ports that are open from the rear or the top of the appliance. They are connected to the vent pipe which extends outside the home.
One drawback of pellet stoves is that you need to purchase or store enough pellets to last the winter months. On average, pellet stove owners use three tons of pellets throughout the course of winter at $200 per ton. These expenses will increase over time however it's much cheaper than purchasing and transporting firewood for an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace or stove. Make sure you buy enough pellets so that your stove will work through the coldest winter months, and that you have the right location to store the pellets (preferably cool, dry and away from the ground).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves produce heat using renewable biomass fuels, reducing the dependence on fossil fuels that are finite. This reduces carbon footprints and diversifies energy sources for homes.
The emissions of pellet stoves are significantly lower than those from woodstoves, even newer ones that are EPA-certified. The emissions from pellet stoves also are much lower than ones from gas furnaces. Pellets can be made of sawdust and bark as well as other lumber fragments. They could also include soybeans, corn or other agricultural waste. When they are burned, they emit less particulates, which can cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions, carcinogens and 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 suggest that the room requires heating, the auger is turned. The pellets are then put into the combustion chamber, where they burn to produce heat. The air from the combustion chamber moves through a heat exchanger that transmits the heat to the blower and out into the room. This process produces very low emissions, and creosote is not produced.
After the hopper has been empty, a cyclone action removes the ash and places it in an ash pot. The stove is equipped with an air-flow system that circulates the warm, fresh air into the room. Most pellet stoves require only minimal maintenance and feature a large viewing area for you and your loved ones to relax and enjoy the flames.
The most significant aspect that affects emissions from stoves made of pellets is the quality of the pellets. Pellets that are not of the highest quality produce more emissions. When choosing your pellets, ensure that they are certified to meet certain standards and don't contain other ingredients like petroleum or urea. Find a business with a warranty and will replace or repair parts in the event of a problem. If you want to take an even greener approach, some states allow homeowners to claim a tax credit for installing pellet stoves. This is a great option to help offset the initial cost of this kind of stove and make installation more affordable.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce a minimal amount of emissions or smoke compared to wood-burning fireplaces. A fan is used to spread heat more evenly throughout the room. This is one of the reasons pellet stoves require much less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves must be regularly cleaned of chemicals and particulates pellet stoves need the use of a special metal vacuum cleaner for regular cleaning.
Many manufacturers have made an effort to design their stoves to be simple to set up and to operate as well as maintain. They are available in various styles that are designed to match the design of your home. Some models come with WIFI, a programmable thermostat and remote control.
Most pellet stoves come with an enormous 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 speed at which the pellets are delivered to the burner determines how hot the fire is as well as the amount of heat it produces. The hopper may be filled with hardwood pellets made from wood with a dense structure like hickory and oak or softwood pellets. Many stoves can also make use of alternative biomass pellets such as those made from corn or switchgrass that can be an environmentally friendly option.
Because pellet stoves burn such as a clean fuel, they produce far less smoke than conventional wood-burning fireplaces and require less maintenance. They also do not 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. fireplacesandstove require periodic inspections to ensure the proper operation and maintenance. This could involve regular cleaning and inspection of the ash or "clinker" as well as the fans and motors, depending on the model. Your appliance dealer can explain the proper procedure for your specific brand and model. He can also provide information about storage and safety and help you find the right fuel for your stove.