Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a second heat source or, if you have proper venting, 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 fireplace.
The auger transports pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber where they are burned to create heat. Sensors monitor the fire and can adjust its rate of operation to ensure your desired room temperature.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves use a non-toxic, renewable fuel that is made from compressed sawdust and other materials. They are typically put in landfills, but can be used to create a clean, efficient source of heat. They can help homeowners cut down on their energy usage, and therefore greenhouse gas emissions. Many pellet stove users report that they recoup their initial investment in only a few short years through a reduction in their heating bills.
Pellets are much more dense and compressed than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. pellet stoves on sale produce less creosote compared to traditional wood-burning fires. They are also packed in plastic bags that seal out moisture, and require less frequent cleaning.
Pellet stoves, just like other heating systems, must be properly sized and vented. A qualified technician can assess your space and venting requirements to ensure the most efficient 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 the siding of your home. The vent can be run through a sidewall or a roof depending on your preference and local laws.
After the vent and hearth are finished, the pellet stove may be plugged in. Some manufacturers provide an electronic remote control that makes it simple to start and keep the fire burning, whereas others offer additional sensors that monitor combustion and airflow as well as flue temperatures and pressure. If the system determines that it needs more or less pellets, it will signal the auger to accelerate or slow down according to the situation.
All stoves have an hopper for storage that can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets until needed. Hopper capacities determine the frequency at which the stove has to be filled, with larger hoppers allowing for longer intervals between refills. A grille pulls fresh air from the room and then passes it over a heat exchanger, which then blows heated air into the living space by convection. A auger, grate or another device distributes the pellets and a pan beneath will collect any pellets that are not burned as well as the combustion leftovers.
Pellet stoves are more efficient in energy use than wood-burning models but not as efficient as natural gas or electric furnaces. Electric components that drive motorized components of the stoves require electricity. This could cause a problem in a power failure, although backup systems like batteries and generators are available.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, but like any other major heating appliance, they require a bit of maintenance to keep them running correctly. Cleaning your stove and its exhaust vent regularly will prevent the buildup of dangerous creosote that could cause a fire or explosion that could damage your stove and/or house.
A pellet stove burns compressed natural wood particles or other materials (like nutshells, corn kernels or small pieces of scrap wood). The pellets are inserted into the combustion chamber via an auger powered with electricity. The thermostat you set controls the rate of pellets being fed to the burner. The fire can be kept burning, or it can be modulated lower and even extinguished in accordance with the temperature you set. The ash will be collected in an empty ash tray underneath the burner. It is easily removed and disposed.
Pellets are created from the byproducts from lumber processing that would otherwise be discarded. They are a renewable source and emit less dust than traditional wood-burning appliances, making them a cleaner heating source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens, and other harmful chemicals produced by pellet stoves is also much lower than those with modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified.
They are not required to be vented through chimneys, as is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they can be vented through a wall, or another exterior structure. Pellet stoves have flue ports at the rear or top of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe which extends outside the home.
One disadvantage of pellet stoves is that you need to purchase or store enough pellets to last through the winter months. On average, homeowners of a pellet stove use three tons of pellets throughout the course of the winter, at a cost of $200 for each ton. The costs can add up however they are much less expensive than buying firewood and then hauling it away for the wood-burning fireplace or stove. You should purchase enough pellets to ensure your stove will be able to run through the coldest winter months. Additionally, you will need to have a place to keep the pellets (preferably dry and cool).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves make use of renewable biomass fuels to generate heat, which reduces the need for finite fossil fuels. This reduces carbon footprints and diversifies energy sources for homes.
Even the latest wood stoves that are EPA certified emit considerably less carbon dioxide than pellet stoves. The emissions from pellet stoves also are considerably lower than ones from gas furnaces. Pellets are made from compressed sawdust, bark and other lumber leftovers and can also be composed of a variety of other materials like soybeans, corn, nutshells, cherry pits and agricultural waste. When they are burned, they release less particles, which can cause respiratory issues and allergies, carcinogens and nitrous dioxide.
The feed system is the primary difference between pellet stoves and wood stove. Pellet stoves have hoppers which hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors suggest that the room requires heating, the auger turns. The pellets are placed in the combustion chamber, where they burn to produce 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 does not created.
After the hopper has been emptied, the ash is removed by a cyclone, and it is then deposited into an ash container. The stove also has fans to circulate the fresh, heated air throughout the living area. The majority of pellet stoves are made to be maintenance-free and have a large viewing window for you and your family members to take in the flames.
The quality of pellets is the primary element that influences pellet stove emissions. Poor-quality pellets will produce more emissions. When selecting your pellets, make sure they meet certain standards and do not contain other ingredients like petroleum-based or urea-based substances. Find a business that offers a guarantee and will repair or replace parts in the event of a malfunction. Certain states provide homeowners with tax credits if they want to go even greener. This is a great way to help to offset the initial cost of this kind of stove and make it more affordable to set up.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves emit less smoke and exhaust as compared to wood burning fireplaces. A fan is employed to spread heat more evenly across the room. This feature is one of the reasons that pellet stoves require much less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves must be cleaned regularly of dust and chemicals pellet stoves require a specialized metal vacuum cleaner for regular cleaning.
Many manufacturers have made an effort to create stoves that will be easy to set up and operate as well as maintain. They also offer their stoves in a wide range of styles that can be matched to your home's decor. Some models come with programmable thermostats remote control, as well as WIFI applications that allow you to manage and monitor your stove from any location in the world.
Most pellet stoves have an enormous fuel hopper that can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then pumped to the combustion chamber through an auger. The speed at which pellets are delivered to the burner determines how hot the flame is as well as the amount of heat it produces. The hopper can either be filled with hardwood pellets, made from wood with a dense structure like hickory and oak or softwood pellets. Many stoves can even make use of alternative biomass pellets such as those made of switchgrass or corn, which can be environmentally friendly alternatives.
Since pellet stoves burn a clean fuel, they generate less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces and require fewer maintenance. They don't require chimneys and are an ideal choice for retrofits or new construction.
As opposed to wood stoves that require regular maintenance to be cleaned of creosote and other chemicals, pellet stoves only need to be periodically inspected for proper operation and maintenance. Depending on the model, this might include a periodic inspection and cleaning of the accumulation of ash or "clinker," as well as the motor and fan. The dealer of your appliance can explain the proper procedure for your specific brand and model. He can also provide you with information regarding storage and safety, and assist you in finding the right fuel for your stove.