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 can give your home the look of traditional wood-burning fireplaces.
The auger transports pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber, where they are burned and produce heat. Sensors are able to monitor the flame and alter the speed of operation to maintain the desired temperature of the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves burn renewable, non-toxic fuel made of compressed sawdust, bark, wood chips and other materials that are normally placed in landfills but which can be turned into an efficient and clean source of heating. They can help homeowners reduce their energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Many users of pellet stoves say that they recoup their initial investment in only a few short years by reducing their heating costs.
Pellets are extremely compressed and more dense than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote than traditional wood-burning fires. They are also packed in plastic bags that seal out moisture and require less frequent cleaning.
Pellet stoves, as with other heating systems, must be properly vented and sized. A qualified technician can assess your venting and space requirements to ensure the best results.
In the process of installation, a hearth will be constructed according to your specifications, and the vent is installed through a hole pre-cut in the siding of your home. The vent can then be placed on either a side wall or the roof, depending on your preference and local regulations.
Once the hearth and vent are done and the stove is ready to be plugged in. Certain manufacturers offer a remote control to make it simple to begin and maintain the fire, while others offer additional sensors that monitor airflow and combustion as well as flue temperatures and pressure. When the system detects that it needs more or less pellets, it tells the auger to speed up or slow down in line with the need.
Every stove has a storage hopper that holds between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets until needed. 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 draws fresh air out of the room and passes it over an exchanger that then blows heated air into the living space by convection. A grate, auger or other device distributes the pellets and a pan beneath is used to collect any unburned ones as well as the combustion residue.
Pellet stoves are more energy-efficient than wood-burning stoves, but they are not as efficient as natural gas or electric furnaces. Electric components that drive motorized components of the stoves require a power source. This could be an issue in the event of a power failure, although backup systems like batteries and generators are available.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are incredibly efficient, however, like all major heating appliances, they require a bit of maintenance to ensure that they function properly. Cleaning your stove's exhaust vent and stove will prevent the build-up of harmful creosote, which can cause an explosion, fire, or damage to your stove or house.
A pellet stove is made up of natural particles that are compressed (such as kernels, nutshells of corn or tiny pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other materials. An electric-powered auger feeds the pellets from a fuel tank into the burner, and into the combustion chamber. The speed at which pellets are fed into the burner is controlled by the thermostat you set. The fire can continue to roar or modulated lower and even extinguished in accordance with the temperature you set. When the fire is gone, the ash is dropped into an empty ash tray underneath the burner that can be easily removed and disposed.
Pellets are made from byproducts that would have been thrown away when processing lumber. They are renewable resources and release far less particulates into the air than traditional wood-burning stoves, resulting in a very 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 EPA-certified wood stoves.
These stoves aren't required to be vented through chimneys, as is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they should be vented correctly through a wall, or other structure outside. Pellet stoves come with flue ports that open on the rear or top of the appliance and are connected to an exhaust pipe that extends outside of the home.
One disadvantage of pellet stoves is that you must purchase or store enough pellets to last the winter time. Pellet stove owners typically use three tons of wood pellets per winter, at a cost of $200 per ton. These expenses add up over the years however, it's cheaper than buying and hauling firewood for traditional fireplaces or stove. Make sure you buy enough pellets to ensure your stove will work through the coldest months and that you have the right location to store the pellets (preferably dry, cool and away from the ground).
3. Reduce Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves produce heat using renewable biomass fuel, reducing the need for finite fossil fuels. This helps reduce the carbon footprint and helps diversify the energy sources used in homes.
The emissions of pellet stoves are much lower than those from woodstoves, even newer ones that are EPA-certified. The emissions from pellet stoves also are considerably lower than ones from gas furnaces. Pellets can be made of sawdust and bark as well as other wood remnants. They could also include corn, soybeans or agricultural waste. When burned, they emit fewer particulates (leading to respiratory issues and allergies) carcinogens, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides.
The feed system is the main difference between a pellet stove and a wood stove. Pellet stoves have hoppers which contain the pellets. When good pellet stoves or sensors signal that the room requires heating, the auger turns. The pellets are then placed in the combustion chamber and are burned to produce heat. The combustion chamber's air is passed through a heat-exchanger that transfers heat to the blower. This results in extremely low emissions and no creosote accumulation.
After the hopper is empty, a cyclone process takes away the ash and puts it in an ash pot. The stove also features fans to circulate the warm, clean air into the living space. The majority of pellet stoves require little maintenance and feature a large viewing space for you and your family members to enjoy the flames.
The main factor that influences pellet stove emissions is the quality of the pellets. Pellets that are not of the highest quality will cause more emissions. When choosing your pellets, make sure they are certified as meeting certain standards and do not contain other ingredients such as urea or petroleum-based products. Also make sure you choose a manufacturer that offers a guarantee and will repair or replace any part in the event of a problem. If you want to take the greener route, some states allow homeowners to claim a tax deduction for installing pellet stoves. This is a great opportunity to help offset the initial cost of this type of stove and makes installation more affordable.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce less smoke and exhaust when compared to wood-burning fireplaces. They also utilize an electric fan to distribute the heat more evenly across the space. This feature is one of the reasons why pellet stoves require much less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves need to be cleaned regularly of particulates and chemicals pellet stoves need a specialized metal vacuum cleaner for regular cleaning.
Many manufacturers have made an effort to create stoves that will be easy to set up and to operate as well as maintain. The stoves come in a variety of styles that complement the interior decor of your home. Some even include a programmable thermostat, remote control and WIFI app so you can manage and monitor your stove from anywhere in the world.
The majority of 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 by an auger. The output of heat and the level at which the fire is will depend on the speed at which the pellets are fed to 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 use biomass pellets made of corn and switchgrass. This is an environmentally friendly alternative.
Because pellet stoves burn such a clean fuel, they emit less smoke than conventional wood-burning fireplaces and require fewer maintenance. They don't require a chimney and are therefore an ideal choice for retrofits or new construction.
Pellet stoves don't require regular cleaning of creosote and other chemicals like wood stoves. They require only periodic inspections to ensure the proper operation and maintenance. This could include periodic cleaning and inspection of the ash or "clinker" as well as the fans and motors, depending on the model. Your appliance dealer can explain the correct procedures for your particular brand and model. He can also provide you with information regarding safety and storage, and assist you in finding the correct fuel for your stove.