Here's A Little-Known Fact Regarding Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a secondary heating source or, with proper venting, a primary heating option. They can be purchased in freestanding units as well as fireplace inserts that can give your home the look of a traditional wood-burning fireplace.
The auger transports pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber where they are ignited and generate heat. Sensors are used to monitor the fire and adjust the rate of operation to maintain your desired room temperature.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves use renewable, non-toxic fuel made from compressed sawdust and other substances. These are usually disposed of in landfills, but they can be used to create a clean and efficient source of heat. They help homeowners reduce their energy usage, and therefore greenhouse gas emissions. Many owners of pellet stoves report recouping their initial investment within just a few years, thanks to lower heating costs.
Pellets are more dense and compressed than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. Furthermore, they are packed in plastic bags that seal out moisture and need less frequent cleaning.
Like other heating systems, pellet stoves need to be properly measured and vented. A professional technician can evaluate your space and venting requirements to ensure the best results.
During installation, a hearth is built according to your specifications and the vent is installed through an opening that is cut into the exterior of your home. The vent can then be run out the side wall or the roof, based on your preference and the local regulations.
After the hearth and vent are completed, the pellet stove can be plugged in and turned on. Certain manufacturers provide a remote control that makes starting and maintaining the fire simple and others include sensors that monitor airflow, combustion and flue temperatures, as well as pressure. If the system determines that it requires more or less pellets, it signals the auger to speed up or slow down accordingly.
All stoves come with a storage tank that can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. Hopper capacities determine how often the stove has to be filled and larger hoppers allow longer intervals between refills. A grille draws fresh air from the room and passes it over an exchanger for heat, which then is able to blow heated air into the living area by convection. A grate, auger or another device distributes the pellets, and a pan below is used to collect any unburned ones and also any combustion leftovers.
While pellet stoves are more efficient than wood-burning models they're not as efficient as natural gas furnaces or electric heaters. The electric components that drive their motorized components require electricity which could cause problematic during an power outage, though backup systems are in place, such as batteries and generators.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, but like all major heating appliances, they require a bit of maintenance to ensure that they function properly. Cleaning your stove and its exhaust vent on a regular basis will stop the accumulation of harmful creosote. This could cause a fire or explosion that could cause damage to the stove and/or your home.
A pellet stove makes use of natural particles that are compressed (such as nutshells, kernels of corn or tiny pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other substances. The pellets are fed into the combustion chamber via an electric auger. The thermostat you set regulates the speed of pellets being fed to the burner. The fire can be kept burning, or it can be modulated lower and even extinguished in accordance with the temperature you set. When the fire is gone the ash is thrown into an empty ash tin beneath the burner. It can then be easily removed and disposed.
Pellets are made from byproducts that would have been thrown away in the process of processing lumber. They are a renewable resource and emit less particulates than traditional wood-burning appliances making them a cleaner heating source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens and other harmful chemicals emitted from pellet stoves is much lower than the newer EPA certified wood stoves.
These appliances are not required to be vented via a chimney, like is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they should be vented properly through a wall or any other exterior structure. Pellet stoves come with flue ports on the top or rear of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe that extends outside the home.
A pellet stove has one disadvantage 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 during the course of the winter, at a cost of $200 for each ton. These expenses will increase over time, but it is less expensive than buying and transporting firewood for an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace or stove. It is recommended to purchase enough pellets to ensure your stove will be able to run through the winter's coldest months. Also, you'll must have a space to store 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 depleted. This helps reduce the carbon footprint and also helps diversify the energy sources used in homes.
Emissions from pellet stoves are much lower than wood stoves, and even the latest EPA-certified ones. The emissions of pellet stoves are also considerably less than those from gas furnaces. Pellets are made from sawdust, bark, and other lumber fragments. pellet stove stores near me can also include corn, soybeans or agricultural waste. When they are burned, they release less particulates (leading to respiratory issues and allergies) carcinogens and carbon monoxide as well as nitrous oxides.
The major difference between a wood stove and a pellet stove is the feed system. Pellet stoves are equipped with hoppers to store the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors suggest that the room is in need of heating, the auger is turned and the pellets are pumped into the combustion chamber, where they burn and produce heat. The air from the combustion chamber moves through a heat exchanger, which transfers the heat to a blower and out into the room. This process results in low emissions and no creosote accumulation.
After the hopper is empty, a cyclone takes away the ash and puts it in an ash jar. The stove also contains a fan to circulate the clean, heated air into the living space. Most pellet stoves require minimal maintenance and come with a huge viewing space for you and your family members to relax and enjoy the flames.
The quality of pellets is the primary factor that influences the emissions from pellet stoves. The poor quality pellets will result in more emissions. When choosing your pellets, make sure they're certified to meet certain standards and do not contain other ingredients such as petroleum products or urea. Look for a company that offers a guarantee and will replace or repair parts in the event of a malfunction. Certain states provide homeowners with a tax credit if they want to go greener. This is a great option to help offset the initial cost of this type of stove and makes installation more affordable.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce a minimal amount of emissions or smoke compared to wood-burning fireplaces. They also utilize an electric fan to distribute heat more evenly across the space. This is one of the reasons that pellet stoves require less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves must be frequently cleaned of particulates and chemicals pellet stoves need the use of a special metal vacuum cleaner for regular cleaning.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves to ensure that they are easy to set up, operate and maintain. They also make their appliances in a variety of styles that will match your home's decor. Some models include WIFI, a programmable thermostat and remote control.
The majority of pellet stoves have an enormous fuel hopper that can hold anywhere from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber using an auger. The heat output and the level at which the fire will get is determined by the speed at which pellets are fed to the burner. The hopper can be filled with hardwood pellets (from dense wood species like oak and hickory) or softwood pellets (from pine and fir). Some stoves will even burn alternative biomass pellets, like those made from corn or switchgrass, which can be environmentally friendly alternatives.
Because pellet stoves use as a clean fuel, they generate less smoke than conventional wood-burning fireplaces and require fewer maintenance. They also don't require chimneys, making them a better option for new construction or retrofits.
Pellet stoves don't require regular cleaning of creosote and other chemicals similar to wood stoves. They require only periodic inspections to ensure proper operation and maintenance. This could include periodic 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 correct procedures for your specific model and brand. He can also provide you with information about storage and safety and assist you in finding the appropriate fuel for your stove.