Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves are offered as freestanding units or fireplace inserts that can give your home the look of an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace. These stoves are available in freestanding models as well as fireplace inserts. They can provide the appearance of an old-fashioned wood-burning fire.
The auger moves pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber which is where they burn and generate heat. Sensors monitor the fire and can alter the speed of operation to keep your desired temperature in the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves burn a renewable non-toxic, non-toxic fuel that is made from compressed sawdust, bark, wood chips and other materials that are typically dumped in landfills, but can be turned into a clean and efficient source of heating. As a result, they aid homeowners in reducing their energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many people who use pellet stoves report that they recoup their initial investment in just a few short years by reducing their heating costs.
Pellets are highly compressed and more dense than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. Additionally, they are packaged in plastic bags that stop moisture from entering and require less frequent cleaning.
Pellet stoves, just like other heating systems, must be properly sized and vented. A professional technician can evaluate your venting and space requirements to ensure the most efficient results.
During installation, a hearth is built in accordance with your specifications. Then, the vent is inserted through a hole pre-cut in the exterior of your home. The vent can be positioned through a sidewall or a roof depending on your preference and local laws.
Once the hearth and vent are finished the pellet stove can be plugged in. Certain manufacturers offer a remote control to make it simple to start and keep the fire going, while others offer additional sensors that check airflow and combustion, flue temperatures, and pressure. When the system detects it needs more pellets or less, it signals to the auger that it should accelerate or slow down accordingly.
Every stove has a storage hopper that holds from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets until required. Hopper capacities determine the frequency at which the stove will need to be refilled, with larger hoppers allowing for longer intervals between refills. A grille draws fresh air out of the room and then passes it over an exchanger for heat, which then blasts heated air into the living space by convection. A grate or an auger distributes the pellets, while the pan beneath collects any unburnt ones as well as the ashes of combustion.
Although pellet stoves are more efficient than wood-burning stoves, they're not as efficient as natural gas furnaces or electricity-powered heaters. The electric components that drive their motorized components require an electrical supply which could cause a problem during a power outage, even though backup systems are available for generators and batteries.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are incredibly efficient, but just like any other major heating appliance, they require a bit of maintenance to ensure that they function properly. Cleaning your stove and exhaust vent on a regular basis will prevent the buildup of harmful creosote, which could cause a fire or explosion that can damage the stove and/or your home.
A pellet stove is made up of natural particles that are compressed (such as nutshells, kernels of corn, or small pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other materials. An electric auger feeds the fuel pellets from a container into the burner and into the combustion chamber. The speed at which pellets are fed into the burner is controlled by the thermostat you set. The fire can continue to roar or decreased or even extinguished according to the temperature you set. The ash is disposed of in an empty ash tin underneath the burner. It can be easily removed and disposed.
Pellets are made from waste products that could have been discarded in the process of processing lumber. They are renewable resources and release much less dust into the air than traditional wood-burning stoves resulting in a very clean burning heat source. The amount of carcinogens, carbon monoxide and other harmful chemicals that are released from pellet stoves are also less than the latest EPA certified wood stoves.
Because of the low emissions they produce, these stoves do not need to be vented through a chimney like traditional wood stoves, however, they should be vented through a wall or an exterior structure. Pellet stoves have flue ports that are located on the front or back of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe that extends out from the house.
A pellet stove has one drawback: you have to purchase or store enough fuel pellets to last for the entire winter time. On average, owners of pellet stoves use three tons of pellets during the course of the winter, at a cost of $200 for each ton. The costs can add up over the years however it's much cheaper than purchasing and hauling firewood to traditional fireplaces or stove. Make sure that you purchase enough pellets to ensure that your stove can function through the coldest months and you have a suitable location to store the pellets (preferably dry, cool and away from the ground).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves generate heat using renewable biomass fuel, reducing reliance on finite fossils fuels. This reduces the carbon footprint and also helps diversify the energy sources used in 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 are also considerably less than those from gas furnaces. Pellets can be made from sawdust or bark, as well as other lumber remnants. They may also contain soybeans, corn or other agricultural waste. When they are burned, they emit less particulates, which could cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions, carcinogens and nitrous dioxide.
The primary 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 that the room requires heating, the auger turns and the pellets are pumped into the combustion chamber where they burn and generate heat. The combustion chamber flows through a heat exchanger that transfers the heat to a blower before releasing it into the room. This process results in very low emissions and no creosote accumulation.
After the hopper is emptied, the ash is removed using a cyclone and it is then deposited into an ash container. The stove also contains a fan to circulate the fresh, heated air throughout the living area. Most pellet stoves require minimal maintenance and feature a large viewing space for you and your loved ones 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 choosing your pellets make sure they're certified to meet certain standards and don't contain other ingredients like petroleum products or urea. Also, look for a manufacturer that offers a guarantee and will repair or replace any part in the event of a problem. If you're looking for an environmentally friendly approach certain states permit homeowners to claim a tax deduction for installing pellet stoves. This is a great opportunity to help offset the initial cost of this type of stove and makes installation more affordable.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce less smoke and exhaust in comparison to wood burning fireplaces. They also utilize an electric fan to distribute heat more evenly across the room. This is a major reason why pellet stoves require less maintenance than wood stoves. While wood stoves require regular cleaning of particulates and chemicals to prevent deterioration, pellet stoves can be cleaned using the use of a vacuum cleaner made of metal.
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 with a variety of styles to match your home's decor. Some models include an app for WIFI, a remote control and thermostat that can be programmed.
Most pellet stoves have an enormous fuel hopper that can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber by an auger. The speed at which the pellets are fed to the burner determines how hot the fire is and also the amount of heat produced. 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 use biomass pellets made of switchgrass and corn. This is a green option.
Because pellet stoves burn such an environmentally friendly fuel, they produce far less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces and require fewer maintenance. They also don't require chimneys, making them a better option for new construction or retrofits.
As opposed to wood stoves that require regular maintenance to keep free of creosote as well as other chemicals, pellet stoves need to be periodically inspected to ensure proper operation and maintenance. Based on the model, this might include a periodic inspection and cleaning of the accumulation of Ash or "clinker," as well as the fan and motor. Your appliance dealer can explain the correct procedures for your specific model and brand. He can also help you determine the right fuel for your stove, and give information on storage and safety.