Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a second heat source or, with proper venting, as a primary heating option. They are available in freestanding units as well as fireplace inserts that give your home the appearance of traditional wood-burning fireplaces.
The auger moves the pellets from the hopper to the combustion chamber, where they are burnt and produce heat. Sensors detect the flame and adjust the rate of operation to maintain the desired temperature in the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves are a non-toxic, renewable fuel that is made from compressed sawdust and other substances. They are typically removed from landfills, but they can be used to create a clean and efficient source of heat. This means that they aid homeowners in reducing their energy usage and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Many pellet stove users report that they can recoup their initial investment in only a few short years through a reduction in their heating bills.
Pellets are stronger and more compressed than natural wood, which makes them more efficient in burning. They also produce less creosote buildup than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. Additionally, they are packed in plastic bags that seal out moisture and need less frequent cleaning.
Similar to other heating systems, pellet stoves must be properly sized and vented. A professional technician can evaluate your venting requirements and space to ensure the most efficient results.
During installation, a hearth will be constructed according to your specifications, and the vent is installed through a hole that is cut in the siding of your home. The vent can be placed on the side wall or the roof, based on your preference and local regulations.
When the vent and hearth are completed, the pellet stove can be plugged in and turned on. Some manufacturers provide an electronic remote control that makes it simple to begin and keep the fire going, while others provide additional sensors to check airflow and combustion, flue temperatures, and pressure. If the system is able to determine that it needs more pellets or less, it sends a signal to the auger that it should speed up or slow it down according to the need.
All stoves have an hopper for storage that can hold from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets until required. The size of the hopper will determine how often you need to refill your stove. Larger hoppers allow for longer periods before a refill is needed. A grille draws fresh air from the room and passes it through an exchanger that then is able to blow heated air into the living space through convection. A grate or auger spreads the pellets, while a pan underneath collects any unburnt ones as well as the ashes of combustion.
Pellet stoves are more energy-efficient than wood-burning models but not as efficient as electric heaters or natural gas furnaces. The electric components that drive their motorized parts require electricity which could cause an issue during a power outage, even though backup systems are available, such as generators and batteries.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are incredibly efficient, but like any other major heating appliance, they require some maintenance to keep them running correctly. Regularly cleaning your stove's exhaust vent and the stove will stop the build-up of harmful creosote, which can cause an explosion, fire, or damage to your home or stove.
A pellet stove burns compressed natural wood particles or other materials (like corn kernels, nutshells or small pieces of scrap wood). The pellets are introduced into the combustion chamber through an electric auger. The thermostat you set regulates the speed of pellets being fed to the burner. This allows the fire to remain roaring or modulate lower and even go out depending on your set temperature. When the fire is out the ash is thrown into an empty ash tin beneath the burner. It can then be easily removed and then disposed of.
Pellets are made from the byproducts of lumber processing that could otherwise be thrown away. They are a renewable resource and emit 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 produced by pellet stoves is also far lower than with newer wood stoves that have been certified by the EPA.
Due to the low emissions, these appliances 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 on the front or back of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe that extends outside the home.
One disadvantage of pellet stoves is that you have to purchase or store enough pellets to last the winter time. Pellet stove owners typically use three tons of wood pellets per winter, for a price of $200 per ton. These expenses add up over the years, but it is cheaper than purchasing and transporting firewood for a traditional wood-burning fireplace or stove. You should buy enough pellets to ensure your stove will be able to run through the winter's coldest months. Also, you require a location to store the pellets (preferably dry and cool).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves produce heat using renewable biomass fuel, which reduces the dependence on fossil fuels that are finite. This contributes to a reduced carbon footprint as well as helping diversify the sources of energy used in homes.
Even the most modern woodstoves that are EPA certified emit considerably less carbon dioxide than pellet stoves. The emissions from pellet stoves are significantly lower than the ones from gas furnaces. Pellets can be made from sawdust, bark, and other wood remnants. They may also contain corn, soybeans or agricultural waste. When burned, they emit less particulates (leading to respiratory issues and allergies) as website well as carcinogens, carbon monoxide and the nitrous oxides.
The feed system is the major difference between a pellet stove and a wood stove. Pellet stoves have hoppers which hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors signal that the room is in need of 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 that transfers the heat to a blower and out into the room. This process creates very low emissions, and creosote does not formed.
When the hopper is empty, a cyclone takes away the ash and puts it in an ash pan. The stove is fitted with a fan that circulates the warm, fresh air into the room. The majority of pellet stoves are designed to be maintenance-free and feature a large viewing window for you and your family members to take in the flames.
The most significant aspect that affects pellet stove emissions is the quality of the pellets. Poor-quality pellets will produce more emissions. When choosing your pellets, make sure they're certified to meet certain standards and do not contain other ingredients, such as petroleum or urea. Look for a company with a warranty and will replace or repair parts in the event of a problem. Certain states provide homeowners with tax credits in the event that they decide to go even greener. This is a great opportunity to help reduce the initial cost of this kind of stove and make it more affordable to install.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce a minimal amount of emissions or smoke compared to fireplaces with wood burning. A fan is employed to spread heat more evenly throughout the room. This is the reason pellet stoves need less maintenance than wood stoves. While wood stoves require regular cleaning of chemical residues and particles to prevent deterioration, pellet stoves can be cleaned by a metal vacuum cleaner.
Many manufacturers have made a conscious effort to design their stoves to be easy to set up and operate as well as maintain. They also offer their stoves in a variety of styles that can be matched to the decor of your home. Certain models come with a WIFI app, programmable thermostat and remote control.
Most pellet stoves come with an enormous fuel hopper that can hold 35 to 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then pumped to the combustion chamber by an auger. The output of heat and the level at which the fire gets depends on the speed at which pellets are fed into the burner. The hopper can either be filled with hardwood pellets, made from dense wood species such as oak and hickory or softwood pellets. Many stoves can burn biomass pellets made from switchgrass and corn. This is a green alternative.
Because pellet stoves use a clean fuel, they produce far less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces and require fewer maintenance. They also do not require a chimney, which makes them a much more suitable option for new construction or retrofits.
Pellet stoves do not require regular cleaning of creosote and other chemicals similar to wood stoves. They require only periodic inspections to ensure the proper operation and maintenance. This may include regular cleaning and inspection of the ash or "clinker" as well as the motors and fans, depending on the model. Your appliance dealer can provide the correct procedures for your specific model and brand. They can also provide details regarding storage and safety, and assist you in locating the appropriate fuel for your stove.