Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a second heat source or, with proper venting, a primary heating option. They are available as freestanding models or as fireplace inserts. They can provide the appearance of an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace.
The auger moves pellets from the hopper to the combustion chamber, where they are ignited and generate heat. Sensors detect the flame and alter the speed of operation to maintain a desired room temperature.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves use a renewable, non-toxic fuel made from compressed sawdust as well as other materials. They are usually disposed of in landfills, but they can be used to provide a clean, efficient source of heat. They aid homeowners in reducing their energy use and consequently greenhouse gas emissions. Many owners of pellet stoves report recouping their initial investment in only a few years, thanks to lower heating costs.
Pellets are stronger and more compressed than natural wood, making them more efficient in burning. They also produce less creosote buildup than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. They are also packaged in plastic bags that seal out moisture and need less frequent cleaning.
Like other heating systems pellet stoves need to be properly size and vented. A skilled technician can assess your venting and space requirements to ensure the best results.
When the hearth is installed, it is constructed to the right size, and the vent is installed through a pre-cut hole in the siding of your home. The vent is then placed on either a side wall or the roof, depending on your preference and the local regulations.
Once the vent and hearth are complete and the stove is ready to be connected and switched on. Certain manufacturers offer an electronic remote control that makes it simple to begin and maintain the fire, while others offer additional sensors that monitor combustion and airflow flue temperatures, as well as pressure. If the system is able to determine that it needs more pellets or less, it signals to the auger that it needs to speed up or slow it down according to the need.
All stoves come with a storage hopper which can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The size of the hopper determines the frequency at which you have to replenish your stove. Larger hoppers permit longer time periods before refills is needed. A grille pulls fresh air from the room and passes it over a heat exchanger, which then blasts heated air into the living space by convection. A grate or an auger distributes the pellets, and a pan underneath will collect any unburnt ones as well as the ashes of combustion.
Pellet stoves are less energy-intensive than wood-burning models, but aren't as efficient as electric heaters or natural gas furnaces. Electric components that drive motorized components of the stoves require an electrical supply. This could cause an issue in the event of a power failure, although backup systems like generators and batteries are available.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, however they require some attention to run correctly. Cleaning your stove and exhaust vent on a regular basis will stop the accumulation of harmful creosote, which could lead to a fire or an explosion that could cause damage to your stove or even your home.
A pellet stove is made up of compressed natural particles (such as nutshells, kernels of corn or small pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other materials. The pellets are fed into the combustion chamber via an auger powered with electricity. The thermostat you set controls the rate of pellets being fed to the burner. This allows the fire to remain roaring or modulate lower or even shut down according to the temperature you set. When pellet stoves sale fireplacesandstove goes out the ash is thrown into an empty ash tray beneath the burner that can be easily removed and disposed.
Pellets are produced from the byproducts from lumber processing that would otherwise be discarded. They are a sustainable source and produce less particulates than traditional wood-burning appliances making them a cleaner heating source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens and other harmful chemicals released by pellet stoves is far lower than with newer EPA-certified wood stoves.
These stoves aren't required to be vented through chimneys, as is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they must be vented properly via a wall, or another exterior structure. Pellet stoves are equipped with flue ports on the front or back of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe that extends out the house.
A pellet stove has one drawback it requires you to purchase or store enough fuel pellets for the whole winter season. On average, owners of pellet stoves consume three tons of pellets throughout the course of winter, at a cost of $200 for each ton. The costs can add up but they're less expensive than buying firewood and hauling it for a fireplace or wood-burning stove. You should buy enough pellets so that 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. Reduce carbon footprint
Pellet stoves produce heat using renewable biomass fuel, reducing the dependence on fossil fuels that are finite. This reduces carbon footprints as well as diversifying energy sources for homes.
The emissions from pellet stoves are considerably lower than woodstoves, including the latest stoves that are EPA-certified. The emissions from pellet stoves are much lower than ones from gas furnaces. Pellets are made from wood, sawdust and other lumber leftovers and can also comprise a variety of other materials including corn, soybeans and nutshells, cherry pits, and agricultural waste. When they are burned, they emit less particles, which can cause respiratory issues and allergies, carcinogens and nitrous dioxide.
The major difference between a wood stove and a pellet stove is the feed system. Pellet stoves have 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 moves through a heat exchanger, which 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 has been emptied, the ash is removed using a cyclone and is deposited in an ash bin. The stove also features an air circulator to move the warm, clean air into the living room. Most pellet stoves are made to operate with minimal maintenance and have a large viewing window for you and your family to enjoy the flames.
The quality of pellets is the most important factor that influences pellet stove emissions. Pellets that are not of the highest quality produce 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 who offers a warranty and will repair or replace parts in the event of a problem. Some states offer homeowners an incentive to pay taxes in the event that they decide to go even greener. This is a great way to reduce the initial cost of this kind of stove and make it more affordable to set up.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce a minimal amount of smoke or exhaust compared to wood-burning fireplaces. They also utilize an electric fan to distribute the heat more evenly throughout the space. This is among the reasons why pellet stoves require much less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves require regular cleaning of chemical residues and particles to prevent deterioration, pellet stoves can be cleaned with a metal vacuum cleaner.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves in a way that they are easy to install and operate, as well as maintain. They come in different styles to match the design of your home. Some models come with programmable thermostats and remote control as well as a WIFI app so you can manage and monitor your stove from anywhere in the world.
The majority of pellet stoves have an enormous fuel hopper that can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then pumped into the combustion chamber via 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 can be filled with hardwood pellets (from dense wood species like oak and hickory) or softwood pellets (from pine and fir). Many stoves can even use alternative biomass pellets, like 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 burn a cleaner fuel than wood-burning fireplaces. They also don't require a chimney, making them a more appropriate choice for new constructions or retrofits.
Pellet stoves don't require regular cleaning of creosote and other chemicals similar to wood stoves. They only need periodic inspections to ensure their proper operation and maintenance. This may include regular cleaning and inspection of the ash or "clinker" as well as the motors and fans according to the model. Your appliance dealer can provide the proper procedures for your brand and model. He can also assist you to determine the right fuel for your stove and provide information on storage and safety.