Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a supplemental heat source or, if you have proper venting, a primary heating option. They can be purchased as freestanding units or fireplace inserts that can give your home the appearance of an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace.
The auger carries pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber, where they are burned and produce heat. Sensors detect the fire and alter the speed of operation to keep your desired temperature in the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves use a renewable, non-toxic fuel made from compressed sawdust and other materials. They are usually put in landfills, but they can be used to provide a clean, efficient source of heat. As a result, they aid homeowners in reducing their energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Many owners of pellet stoves say they have recouped their initial investment in only a few years, thanks to lower heating bills.
Pellets are extremely compressed and more dense than natural wood, which makes them more efficient to burn. They also produce much less creosote buildup than traditional fireplaces made of wood. Furthermore, they are stored in plastic bags to seal out moisture and need less frequent cleaning.
Pellet stoves, like other heating systems need to be properly vented and sized. A qualified technician can assess your space and venting requirements to ensure the best results.
When the installation is completed, a hearth is built according to your specifications, and the vent is inserted through a hole that is cut in the exterior of your home. The vent can be run through a roof or sidewall depending on your preference and local laws.
When the vent and hearth are complete then the pellet stove can be connected and switched on. Some manufacturers provide a remote control that makes starting and maintaining the fire simple while others come with additional sensors that monitor airflow, combustion, flue temperature, and pressure. When the system detects it requires more pellets or less, it will signal to the auger that it should speed up or slow it down according to the need.
Each stove comes with a hopper for storage that holds between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets until they're needed. Hopper capacities affect how often the stove has to be refilled with more hoppers, allowing for longer periods between refills. A grille draws air from the room, then passes it over the heat exchanger and then blows heated air into the living space via convection. A grate, auger or other device distributes pellets and a pan beneath is used to collect any unburned ones and also any combustion leftovers.
Pellet stoves are more efficient in energy use than wood-burning stoves, but they are not as efficient as natural gas or electric furnaces. The electric components that drive their motorized components require electricity and could pose a problem during a power outage, though backup systems are available for generators and batteries.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, but they need some attention to function properly. Cleaning your stove's exhaust vent and stove will prevent the accumulation of harmful creosote that can cause an explosion, fire, or damage to your home or stove.
A pellet stove burns compressed natural wood particles or other materials (like nutshells, corn kernels or small pieces of wood scraps). The pellets are inserted into the combustion chamber by an electric auger. Visit Homepage set regulates the speed at which pellets are fed to the burner. This lets the fire remain roaring, or to lower the rate or even shut down in accordance with the temperature you set. The ash will be collected in an empty ash tin underneath the burner. It is easily removed and disposed.
Pellets are made from byproducts that would have been thrown away in the process of processing lumber. They are renewable resources and release significantly less particles into the air than traditional wood-burning stoves which results in a clean burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens and other harmful chemicals released from pellet stoves are also less than the latest EPA certified wood stoves.
Due to the low emissions the stoves are not required to be vented through chimneys like traditional wood stoves however, they should be vented through a wall or an external structure. Pellet stoves are equipped with flue ports on the front or back of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe that extends outside the home.
One disadvantage of a pellet stove is that you must purchase or store enough pellets to last the winter months. Pellet stove owners typically consume three tons of wood pellets per winter, which is a cost of $200 per ton. The costs can will increase over time however it's much cheaper than buying and hauling firewood for traditional fireplaces or stove. Be sure to purchase enough pellets so that your stove will work through the coldest months and you have a suitable location to store them (preferably cool, dry and off the ground).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves utilize renewable biomass fuels to generate heat, reducing dependence on fossil fuels that are finite. This reduces carbon footprints and increases the diversity of the sources of energy for homes.
Even the latest wood stoves that are EPA certified emit significantly less carbon dioxide than pellet stoves. The emissions of pellet stoves are also lower than those from gas furnaces. Pellets can be made from sawdust, bark, and other wood remnants. They could also include soybeans, corn, or agricultural waste. When they are burned, they release fewer particulates (leading to respiratory problems and allergies) as well as carcinogens and carbon monoxide as well as the nitrous oxides.
The feed system is the major 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 is turned. The pellets are then placed in the combustion chamber and are burned to produce heat. The air from combustion chamber is pumped through a heat exchanger which transmits heat to the blower. This process creates very low emissions, and creosote does not formed.
After the hopper has been empty, a cyclone process removes the ash and deposits it in an ash pan. The stove is equipped with an air-flow system that circulates the warm, fresh air into the room. The majority of pellet stoves are designed to be maintenance-free and have a large viewing window that allows you and your family to take in the flames.
The most significant aspect that affects pellet stove emissions is the quality of the pellets. The poor quality pellets will result in more emissions. When selecting your pellets, ensure that they are certified to meet certain standards and do not contain other ingredients such as petroleum products or urea. Choose a company that offers a guarantee and will replace or repair parts in the event of an issue. Certain states provide homeowners with a tax credit in the event that they decide to go greener. This is a great way to help offset the initial cost of this type of stove and make it easier to set up.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves emit very little smoke or exhaust when compared to fireplaces that burn wood. A fan is used to spread heat more evenly throughout the room. This is among the reasons pellet stoves require less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves must be regularly cleaned of chemicals and particulates pellet stoves require an specialized metal vacuum cleaner for regular cleaning.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves so that they are easy to set up and operate, as well as maintain. They also offer their stoves in a variety of styles that will match the decor of your home. Some models come with a WIFI app, remote control, and programmable thermostat.
The majority of pellet stoves have a large fuel hopper that can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then fed to the combustion chamber through an auger. The speed at which the pellets are delivered to the burner determines how hot the flame is and the heat output. The hopper may be filled with hardwood pellets, made from dense wood species such as oak and hickory, or softwood pellets. Many stoves are able to burn biomass pellets made from switchgrass and corn. This is an environmentally friendly alternative.
Because pellet stoves use an environmentally friendly fuel, they emit less smoke than conventional wood-burning fireplaces and require fewer maintenance. They do not need chimneys and are an ideal option for retrofits or new construction.
Pellet stoves do not require regular cleaning of creosote or other chemicals similar to wood stoves. They require only periodic inspections to ensure proper operation and maintenance. Depending on the model, this may include regular inspections and cleaning of the accumulated the ash or "clinker," as well as the motor and fans. Your appliance dealer can provide the proper procedures for your particular brand and model. They can also provide details about storage and safety and assist you in locating the right fuel for your stove.