Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves are offered as freestanding units or fireplace inserts that give your home the look of a traditional fireplace with wood burning. They can be purchased as freestanding units or as fireplace inserts that give your home the appearance of an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace.
The auger transports the pellets out of the hopper to the combustion chamber which is where they burn and produce heat. Sensors are used to monitor the fire and alter the speed of operation to keep your desired room temperature.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves burn a sustainable non-toxic, non-toxic fuel that is made from compressed sawdust, bark, wood chips and other materials that are normally placed in landfills but which can be repurposed into a clean and efficient source of heating. They can help homeowners reduce their energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Many owners of pellet stoves report recouping their initial investment in just several years with lower heating costs.
Pellets are more dense and compressed than natural wood, which makes them more efficient to burn. They also produce much less creosote buildup than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. Furthermore, they are packaged in plastic bags to stop moisture from entering and require less frequent cleaning.
Similar to other heating systems, pellet stoves must be properly size and vented. A skilled technician can assess your space and venting requirements to ensure the best results.
When the installation is completed the hearth is constructed in accordance with your specifications. Then, the vent is installed via a hole pre-cut in the siding of your home. The vent may be installed through a sidewall or a roof depending on your preference and local laws.
Once the vent and hearth are complete then the pellet stove can be plugged in and turned on. Some manufacturers provide a remote control that makes starting and maintaining the fire easy and others include sensors that monitor combustion, airflow flue temperature, pressure. If the system is able to determine that it needs more pellets or less, it will signal to the auger that it should accelerate or slow it down according to the need.
All stoves come with a storage tank that can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. Hopper capacities determine how often the stove will need refills and larger hoppers allow for longer periods between refills. A grille pulls air from the room, passes it over the heat exchanger, and then blows heated air in the living space via convection. A grate, auger or another device distributes the pellets, and a pan below collects any unburned ones as well as the combustion remnants.
Although pellet stoves are more efficient than wood-burning models, they're not as efficient as natural gas furnaces or electricity-powered heaters. Electric components that drive motorized parts of the stoves require an electrical supply. This could be an issue in the event of a power failure, although backup systems such as generators and batteries are readily available.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, however, like all major heating appliances, they require a bit of maintenance to keep them running correctly. Cleaning your stove and its exhaust vent on a regular basis will help prevent the accumulation of harmful creosote. This could lead to a fire or an explosion that can damage your stove and/or house.
A pellet stove uses compressed natural particles (such as kernels, nutshells of corn or small pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other materials. The pellets are fed into the combustion chamber through an electric auger. 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 depending on your set temperature. The ash will be disposed in an empty ash tin underneath the burner. It can be easily removed and disposed.
Pellets are created from the byproducts of lumber processing which would otherwise be thrown away. They are a sustainable source and produce less dust than traditional wood-burning appliances, making them a cleaner burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens, and other harmful chemicals emitted from pellet stoves is significantly lower than the more modern EPA certified wood stoves.
These appliances are not required to be vented via a chimney, as is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they can be vented properly via a wall, or any other exterior structure. Pellet stoves have flue ports that are located on the front or back of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe which extends out from the house.
A pellet stove comes with one drawback it requires you to purchase or store enough fuel pellets to last the entire winter season. Pellet stove owners typically use three tons of wood pellets every winter, which is a cost of $200 per ton. The cost can be high, but they are less expensive than buying firewood and then hauling it away for a fireplace or wood-burning stove. It is recommended to purchase enough pellets to ensure that your stove will be able to run through the winter's coldest months. Additionally, you will require a location to keep the pellets (preferably cool and dry).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves use renewable biomass fuel to generate heat, reducing dependence on finite fossil fuels. This reduces carbon footprints and diversifies energy sources for homes.
The emissions of pellet stoves are much lower than wood stoves, and even the latest EPA-certified ones. The emissions from pellet stoves are considerably lower than ones from gas furnaces. Pellets can be made of sawdust or bark, as well as other lumber remnants. They can also include corn, soybeans or agricultural waste. When burned, they emit less particulates (leading to respiratory problems and allergies) as well as carcinogens and carbon monoxide as well as nitrogen oxides.
The main 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 furnace turns and the pellets are fed into the combustion chamber where they are burned and generate heat. The air from combustion chamber is pumped through a heat exchanger that transfers heat to the blower. This process produces very little emissions, and creosote does not produced.
After the hopper is emptied, the ash is removed by a cyclone, and it is then deposited into an ash container. The stove is equipped with a fan that circulates clean, heated air throughout the room. Most pellet stoves require only minimal maintenance and come with a huge viewing space for you and your loved ones to relax and enjoy 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 selecting your pellets, make sure they meet certain standards and do not contain other ingredients like petroleum-based or urea-based products. Also look for a company who offers a warranty and will repair or replace components in the event of a problem. If you're looking to take an even greener approach, some states permit homeowners to claim a tax credit for installing pellet stoves. This is a great way to help offset the initial cost of this kind of stove and makes installation more affordable.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce a minimal amount of smoke or exhaust compared to wood-burning fireplaces. They also have an electric fan to distribute heat more evenly across the room. This is among the reasons why pellet stoves require less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves need to be frequently cleaned of dust and chemicals, pellet stoves only need a specialized metal vacuum cleaner for routine cleaning.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves so that they are simple to install 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. Some come with a programmable check here thermostat remote control, as well as WIFI applications that allow you to manage and monitor your stove from any location in the world.
Most pellet stoves come with an enormous fuel hopper that can hold 35 to 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber via an auger. The heat output and how hot the fire gets depends on the speed at which pellets are fed to the burner. The hopper can either be filled with hardwood pellets composed of dense wood species such as oak and hickory or softwood pellets. Many stoves can even use alternative biomass pellets, such as those made of switchgrass or corn which are environmentally friendly alternatives.
Because pellet stoves use as a clean fuel, they emit less smoke than conventional wood-burning fireplaces and require fewer maintenance. They don't require chimneys, making them a better choice for retrofits or new construction.
Unlike wood stoves, which require regular maintenance to be cleaned of creosote and other chemicals, pellet stoves need to be periodically inspected to ensure proper operation and maintenance. This could involve regular cleaning and inspection of the ash or "clinker" as well as the motors and fans according to the model. Your appliance dealer will be able to provide the proper procedures for your brand and model. He can also help you identify the right fuel for your stove, and give information on storage and safety.