Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a secondary heating source or, with proper venting, a primary heating option. They are available as freestanding models as well as fireplace inserts. They can give the appearance of an old-fashioned wood-burning fire.
The auger moves the pellets out of the hopper into the combustion chamber in the combustion chamber, where they are burned and generate heat. Sensors detect the flame and adjust the speed of operation in order to maintain the desired temperature of the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves burn renewable non-toxic fuel composed of compressed sawdust, bark, wood chips and other materials that are typically put in landfills, but can be turned into a sustainable and clean source of heating. They can help homeowners cut down on their energy usage, and thus greenhouse gas emissions. Many pellet stove users report that they have recouped their initial investment in only a couple of years, through a reduction in their heating bills.
Pellets are more dense and compressed than natural wood, making them more efficient for burning. They also produce less creosote than traditional fireplaces made of wood. They are also packed in plastic bags to keep out moisture and require less frequent cleaning.
Pellet stoves, like other heating systems, need to be properly sized and vented. A skilled technician will be able to evaluate your space requirements and venting requirements to achieve the best results.
In the process of installation, the hearth is built to size and the vent is inserted through a pre-cut hole in your home's siding. The vent can be installed on a side wall or through the roof, depending on your preference and local regulations.
Once the vent and hearth are finished the pellet stove can be plugged in. Some manufacturers provide an electronic remote control that makes it easy to start and maintain the fire, while others offer additional sensors that check airflow and combustion, flue temperatures, and pressure. If best rated pellet stoves is able to determine that it requires more pellets or less, it sends a signal to the auger that it should speed up or slow it down accordingly.
All stoves come with a hopper which can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. Hopper capacities affect how often the stove has to be refilled and larger hoppers allow for longer intervals between refills. A grille pulls fresh air from the room and passes it over an exchanger that then blows heated air into the living area by convection. A auger, grate or another device distributes the pellets, and a pan below is used to collect any unburned ones as well as combustion leftovers.
While 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 a power source, which could be a problem during a power outage, even though backup systems are readily available for generators and batteries.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, however, like any other major heating appliance, they require some care to ensure that they function properly. Cleaning the exhaust vent of your stove and the stove will help 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 pellets or other materials (like nutshells, corn kernels or small pieces of wood scraps). The pellets are inserted into the combustion chamber through an electric auger. The thermostat you choose controls the rate at which pellets are delivered to the burner. The fire can be kept roaring, or it can be decreased or even extinguished according to the temperature you set. The ash is disposed of in an empty ash tin underneath the burner. This can easily be removed and disposed.
Pellets are made from byproducts that would have been thrown away when processing lumber. They are a renewable resource and emit less particulates than traditional wood-burning appliances making pellet stoves a cleaner heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens, and other harmful chemicals emitted from pellet stoves is less than the latest EPA certified wood stoves.
pellet stoves on sale are not required to be vented through chimneys, as is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they can be vented properly through a wall or another exterior structure. Pellet stoves come with flue ports on the front or back of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe which extends outside the home.
A pellet stove comes with one drawback that you must purchase or store enough fuel pellets for the whole winter season. On average, owners of pellet stoves use three tons of pellets throughout the course of winter at $200 per ton. The cost can be high but they're 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 run throughout the coldest winter months. Also, you require a location to keep the pellets (preferably dry and cool).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves use renewable biomass fuels to generate heat, reducing dependence on fossil fuels that are finite. This reduces carbon footprints and increases the diversity of energy sources for homes.
The emissions from pellet stoves are considerably lower than those from wood stoves, and even the latest EPA-certified ones. The emissions from pellet stoves are significantly lower than the ones from gas furnaces. Pellets are made up of compressed sawdust, bark and other wood wastes. They can also comprise various other materials including corn, soybeans and nutshells, cherry pits and agricultural waste. When they are burned, they release less particulates, which could cause respiratory problems and allergies as well as carcinogens and nitrous oxide.
The feed system is the major difference between a pellet stove and a wood stove. Pellet stoves have hoppers to store the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors suggest that the room needs heating, the auger turns and the pellets are pumped into the combustion chamber, where they burn and produce heat. The air that is released from the combustion chamber flows through a heat exchanger that transfers the heat to a blower and out into the room. This process results in low emissions and no creosote buildup.
After the hopper is empty, a cyclone takes away the ash and puts it in an ash pot. The stove also contains an air circulator to move the warm, clean air throughout the living area. Most pellet stoves are designed to be maintenance-free and feature a large viewing space for you and your family to enjoy the flames.
The quality of pellets is the main factor that influences the emissions from pellet stoves. Pellets that are not of the highest quality produce more emissions. When selecting your pellets, ensure that they are certified as meeting certain standards and don't contain other ingredients, such as urea or petroleum-based products. Also look for a company that offers a guarantee and will repair or replace components in the event of a problem. If you're looking for an environmentally friendly approach certain states allow homeowners to get a tax credit when installing pellet stoves. This is a great way to help reduce the initial cost of this type of stove and make it more affordable to set up.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves emit very little smoke and exhaust in comparison to wood burning fireplaces. They also have an electric fan to distribute the heat more evenly across the room. This is one of the reasons why pellet stoves require less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves require frequent cleaning of chemical residues and particles to avoid deterioration, pellet stoves can be cleaned using the use of a vacuum cleaner made of metal.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves in a way that they are simple to install, operate and maintain. They also make their appliances in a wide range of styles that can be matched to the decor of your home. Some models come with programmable thermostats remote control, as well as WIFI app so you can monitor and manage your stove from anywhere in the world.
Most pellet stoves have a large fuel hopper that can contain between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber via an auger. The output of heat and the level at which the fire will get is determined by the speed at which pellets are fed into the burner. The hopper could be filled with hardwood pellets, made from dense wood species like hickory and oak or softwood pellets. Many stoves can even make use of alternative biomass pellets such as those made from switchgrass or corn that can be an eco-friendly option.
Because pellet stoves burn such a clean fuel, they produce far less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces and require less maintenance. They also do not require chimneys, making them a more appropriate choice for new constructions or retrofits.
Pellet stoves don't require regular cleaning of creosote and other chemicals like wood stoves. They only need periodic inspections to ensure proper operation and maintenance. Based on the model, this could include a regular inspection and cleaning of the accumulated ash or "clinker," as well as the motor and fans. Your appliance dealer can provide the proper procedure for the specific model and brand. He can also assist you to determine the right fuel for your stove, and give details on storage and safety.