Pellet Stove FurnacePellet stoves can be used as a secondary heat source or, with proper venting, a primary heating option. They are available as freestanding models as well as fireplace inserts. They can provide the appearance of an old-fashioned wood-burning fire.
The auger transports pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber, where they are burned and produce heat. Sensors monitor the flame and can adjust the rate of operation in order to maintain the desired room temperature.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves burn renewable, non-toxic fuel made of compressed sawdust wood chips, bark and other materials normally placed in landfills but which can be turned into a sustainable and clean source of heating. They help homeowners lower their energy usage and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Many homeowners who own pellet stoves say they have recouped their initial investment in just several years with lower heating bills.
Pellets are extremely compressed and more dense than natural wood, which makes them more efficient to burn. They also produce much less creosote buildup than traditional fireplaces made of wood. They are also packaged in plastic bags that block out moisture, and require less frequent cleaning.
Like other heating systems, pellet stoves need to be properly measured and vented. A qualified technician can assess your space and venting requirements to ensure the most efficient results.
During installation, a hearth is built according to your specifications and the vent is installed through an opening that is cut into the siding of your home. The vent can be installed on a side wall or through the roof, depending on your preference and the local regulations.
Once the vent and hearth are complete and the stove is ready to be plugged in and turned on. Some manufacturers provide the option of a remote control to make it easy to start and keep the fire going, while other manufacturers offer additional sensors that monitor combustion and airflow as well as flue temperatures and pressure. If the system determines that it needs more or less pellets, it will signal the auger to speed up or slow down according to the situation.
All stoves have a storage tank that can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. Hopper capacities affect how often the stove needs to be refilled with more hoppers, allowing longer intervals between refills. A grille draws fresh air out of the room and then passes it over an exchanger for heat, which then blasts heated air into the living area by convection. A grate or an auger distributes the pellets, and a pan underneath is used to collect any burned ones, along with the combustion residue.
While
tiny pellet stove stoves are more efficient than wood-burning stoves, they're not as efficient as natural gas furnaces or electric heaters. The electric components that drive their motorized components require a power source, which could be a problem during a power outage, though backup systems are available, such as generators and batteries.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, but just like all major heating appliances, they require some care to keep them running correctly. Cleaning your stove and exhaust vent on a regular basis will stop the accumulation of harmful creosote. This could cause a fire or explosion that can damage the stove and/or your home.
A pellet stove burns natural wood particles 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 set controls the speed at which pellets are fed to the burner. The fire can be kept roaring or reduced or even snuffed out according to the temperature you set. The ash will be collected in an empty ash tray underneath the burner. This can easily be removed and disposed.
Pellets are made from waste products that could have been discarded during the process of processing lumber. They are a renewable resource and emit much less dust 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
affordable pellet stoves stoves is far lower than with newer EPA-certified wood stoves.
These stoves aren't required to be vented through a chimney, like is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they can be vented properly via a wall, or any other exterior structure. 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 a pellet stove is that you have to purchase or store enough pellets to last through the winter time. Pellet stove owners typically consume three tons of wood pellets every winter, for a price of $200 per ton. The expenses can add up but they're cheaper than purchasing firewood and hauling it for a wood-burning stove or fireplace. You should purchase enough pellets to ensure your stove can run through the winter's coldest months. Also, you'll must have a space to keep the pellets (preferably cool and dry).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves make use of renewable biomass fuel to generate heat, thus reducing the dependence on fossil fuels that are finite. This reduces carbon footprints as well as diversifying energy sources for homes.
Even the newest woodstoves that are EPA certified emit significantly less than pellet stoves. The emissions from pellet stoves are also lower than those from gas furnaces. Pellets can be made from sawdust or bark, as well as other wood remnants. They may also contain soybeans, corn or other agricultural waste. When they are burned, they emit less particulates, which could cause respiratory problems and allergies as well as carcinogens and nitrous oxide.
The feed system is the primary difference between pellet stoves and wood stove. Pellet stoves have hoppers to store the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate that the room requires heating, the auger turns and the pellets are fed into the combustion chamber, where they are burned and generate heat. The combustion chamber flows through a heat exchanger, which transmits the heat to the blower and then out into the room. This process results in low emissions and no creosote accumulation.
After the hopper has been emptied, the ash is removed using a cyclone and deposited in an ash container. The stove also has an air circulator to move the clean, heated air into the living room. The majority of pellet stoves are designed to be maintenance-free and feature a large viewing window that allows you and your family members to take in the flames.
The most significant aspect that affects emissions from pellet stoves is the quality of the pellets. The poor quality pellets emit more emissions. When selecting your pellets, make sure they're certified to meet certain standards and do not contain other ingredients such as petroleum or urea. Also make sure you choose a manufacturer that offers a guarantee and will repair or replace any part in the event of a malfunction. Certain states provide homeowners with an incentive to pay taxes in the event that they decide to go greener. This is a great opportunity to help to offset the initial cost of this type of stove and make it more
affordable pellet stoves to install.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves emit very little smoke and emissions when compared to wood-burning fireplaces. A fan is employed to spread heat more evenly across the room. This is one of the reasons why pellet stoves require much less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves require regular cleaning of particulates and chemicals to prevent their deterioration stoves can be cleaned using the use of a vacuum cleaner made of metal.