Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves are available as freestanding units or fireplace inserts that give your home the appearance of a traditional wood-burning fireplace. These stoves are available in freestanding models as well as fireplace inserts. They can give the appearance of an old-fashioned wood-burning fire.
The auger moves the pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber, where they are burnt and produce heat. Sensors are used to monitor the fire and adjust its rate of operation to ensure your desired room temperature.
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 dumped in landfills, but can be turned into a sustainable and clean source of heating. They help homeowners reduce their energy use and consequently greenhouse gas emissions. Many people who use pellet stoves report that they have recouped their initial investment in just few years by reducing their heating costs.
pellet stoves best are much more dense and compressed than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote compared to traditional wood-burning fires. Furthermore, they are stored in plastic bags that seal out moisture and need less frequent cleaning.
Similar to other heating systems, pellet stoves must be properly measured and vented. A skilled technician can assess your venting requirements and space to ensure the best results.
When the hearth is installed, it is built to size and the vent is inserted through a hole that has been cut in your home's siding. The vent can then be installed on either a side wall or the roof, based on your preference and the local regulations.
Once the hearth and vent are completed and the stove is ready to be connected. Certain manufacturers provide remote controls that make starting and maintaining the fire simple and others include sensors that monitor airflow, combustion flue temperature, pressure. If the system is able to determine that it needs more pellets or less, it signals to the auger to accelerate or slow it down in line with the needs.
All stoves have a storage tank that can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. Hopper capacities determine the frequency at which the stove will need to be filled with more hoppers, allowing longer intervals between refills. A grille draws air out of the room, passes it through the heat exchanger and blows heated air through the living area through convection. A auger, grate or other device distributes the pellets and a pan below will collect any pellets that are not burned as well as the combustion remnants.
While pellet stove fireplace 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 components require a power source which could cause an issue during a power failure, but backup systems are available, such as batteries and generators.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, but they require some care to function properly. Cleaning your stove and exhaust vent on a regular basis will prevent the buildup of harmful creosote, which can cause a fire or explosion that could cause damage to your stove or even your home.
A pellet stove makes use of compressed natural particles (such as nutshells, kernels of corn or small pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other materials. The pellets are introduced into the combustion chamber via an auger powered with electricity. The speed at which pellets are pumped into the burner is controlled by the thermostat you set. This allows the fire to keep roaring or lower or even shut down according to the temperature you set. The ash will be disposed in an empty ash tray underneath the burner. It is easily removed and then disposed.
Pellets are made from waste products that would have been discarded during the process of processing lumber. They are a renewable source and produce less particulates than traditional wood-burning appliances making them a cleaner burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens, and other harmful chemicals emitted by pellet stoves is significantly lower than that of modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified.
Due to 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 come with flue ports at the top or rear of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe which extends outside the home.
A pellet stove has one drawback: you have to purchase or store enough fuel pellets for the whole winter season. On good pellet stoves , owners of pellet stoves use three tons of pellets during the course of the winter at $200 per ton. These expenses add up over the years, but it is cheaper than purchasing and transporting firewood for an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace or stove. Make sure that you purchase enough pellets so that your stove can function through the coldest winter months, and you have a suitable space to store them (preferably cool, dry and away from the ground).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves utilize renewable biomass fuel to generate heat, which reduces the need for finite fossil fuels. This contributes to a reduced carbon footprint and also helps diversify the sources of energy used in homes.
The emissions of pellet stoves are considerably lower than woodstoves, including the latest EPA-certified ones. The emissions from pellet stoves are also lower than those of gas furnaces. Pellets can be made of sawdust, bark, and other lumber fragments. They can also include soybeans, corn, or agricultural waste. When they are burned, they release less particulates, which can cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions as well as carcinogens and nitrous oxide.
The main difference between wood stoves and pellet stove is the feed system. Pellet stoves are equipped with hoppers to store the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors suggest that the room needs heating, the auger turns. The pellets are 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 produces very low emissions, and creosote does not produced.
After the hopper has been empty, the ash is removed by a cyclone, and deposited in an ash container. The stove also contains a fan to circulate the clean, heated air into the living space. Most pellet stoves require minimal maintenance and feature a large viewing area for you and your loved ones to relax and enjoy the flames.
The main factor that influences emissions from pellet stoves is the quality of the pellets. The poor quality pellets will result in more emissions. When choosing your pellets, ensure they are certified as meeting certain standards and don't contain other ingredients like petroleum-based or urea-based products. Also look for a company that offers a guarantee and will repair or replace parts in case of a problem. Certain states provide homeowners with a tax credit if they want to go even greener. This is a great way to reduce the initial cost of this type of stove and make it easier to set up.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce very little smoke or exhaust compared to fireplaces with wood burning. A fan is used to spread heat more evenly across the room. This is the reason pellet stoves need less maintenance than wood stoves. While wood stoves must be cleaned regularly of dust and chemicals pellet stoves need the use of a special metal vacuum cleaner for regular cleaning.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves so that they are simple to install and operate as well as maintain. They are available in a variety of styles that complement the interior decor of your home. Some include a programmable thermostat, remote control and WIFI apps that let you manage and monitor your stove from anywhere in the world.
Most pellet stoves come with an enormous fuel hopper that can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then pumped into the combustion chamber using an auger. The speed at which the pellets are fed to the burner determines how hot the flame is and also the amount of heat produced. The hopper can either be filled with hardwood pellets, made from wood with a dense structure such as oak and hickory, or softwood pellets. Many stoves can also make use of alternative biomass pellets such as those made from switchgrass or corn that can be environmentally friendly alternatives.
Pellet stoves produce less smoke and require less maintenance due to the fact that they use more clean fuel than fireplaces that burn wood. They don't require chimneys and are the best choice for retrofits or new construction.
As opposed to wood stoves that require regular maintenance to keep free of creosote and other chemicals, pellet stoves require periodic inspections to ensure proper operation and maintenance. This could include periodic cleaning and inspection of the ash or "clinker" as well as the motors and fans according to the model. Your appliance dealer can explain the correct procedures for your brand and model. He can also help you identify the right fuel for your stove and provide details on storage and safety.