Pellet Stove FurnacePellet stoves can be used as a supplemental heat source or, if you have proper venting, as a primary heating option. They are available as freestanding units or fireplace inserts that can give your home the look of an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace.
The auger moves the pellets from the hopper to the combustion chamber which is where they burn and produce heat. Sensors are able to monitor the flame and adjust the speed of operation in order to maintain the desired temperature in the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves make use of a non-toxic, renewable fuel made from compressed sawdust and other materials. These are usually removed from landfills, but they can be used to create a clean, efficient source of heat. They aid homeowners in reducing their energy usage, and consequently greenhouse gas emissions. Many people who use pellet stoves report that they recoup their initial investment in just a few short years by reducing their heating bills.
Pellets are extremely compressed and more solid than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. They also produce much less creosote than traditional fireplaces that burn wood. Furthermore, they are packaged in plastic bags to stop moisture from entering and require less frequent cleaning.
Like other heating systems,
Best pellet stoves stoves need to be properly sized and vented. A skilled technician will be able to assess your venting needs and space requirements to ensure the most efficient results.
In the process of installation, the hearth is constructed to the right size, and the vent is installed through a pre-cut hole your home's siding. The vent can be placed on a side wall or through the roof, based on your preference and the local regulations.
When the vent and hearth are finished and the stove is ready to be connected 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, and pressure. If the system determines that it needs more pellets or less, it will signal to the auger that it should accelerate or slow it down in line with the needs.
Every stove has a hopper for storage that holds between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets until they're required. Hopper capacities determine how often the stove will need refills with more hoppers, allowing longer intervals between refills. A grille draws air from the room, passes it through the heat exchanger and blows heated air through the living space through convection. A auger, grate or any another device distributes the pellets and a pan beneath will collect any pellets that are not burned as well as the combustion leftovers.
pellet stove dealers near me stoves are more efficient in energy use than wood-burning models but not as efficient as natural gas or electric furnaces. The electric components that drive their motorized components require a power source which could cause an issue during a power outage, even though backup systems are in place for generators and batteries.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, but they require some maintenance in order to run correctly. Cleaning your stove and exhaust vent regularly will help prevent the accumulation of harmful creosote. This could lead to a fire or an explosion that could damage your stove or even your home.
A pellet stove is a device that burns compressed natural wood particles or other materials (like corn kernels, nutshells or
small pellet stove pieces of scrap wood). The pellets are fed into the combustion chamber by an auger that is powered by electricity. The thermostat you set controls the rate at which pellets are delivered to the burner. This lets the fire remain roaring or modulate lower and even stop depending on your set temperature. When the fire goes out the ash is thrown into an empty ash tray beneath the burner. It can then be easily removed and disposed of.
Pellets are produced from byproducts of lumber processing which would otherwise be discarded. They are a renewable resource and emit significantly less particles into the air than traditional wood-burning stoves, making them a cleaner burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens, and other harmful chemicals released by pellet stoves is much lower than those with modern wood stoves that have been certified by the EPA.
These stoves aren't required to be vented via a chimney, as is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they should be vented correctly via a wall, or another exterior structure. Pellet stoves have flue ports that are open from the rear or the top of the appliance. They are connected to a vent pipe that extends outside of the home.
A pellet stove has one drawback that you must purchase or store enough fuel pellets to last for the whole winter season. Pellet stove owners typically use three tons of wood pellets every winter, at a cost of $200 per ton. The costs can add up over the years however it's much less expensive than buying and hauling firewood for an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace or stove. Make sure that you purchase enough pellets so that your stove can function through the coldest winter months, and you have a suitable place to store the pellets (preferably cool, dry and off the ground).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves use renewable biomass fuels to generate heat, thus reducing the dependence on fossil fuels that are finite. This reduces carbon footprints and diversifies energy sources for homes.
Even the latest wood stoves that are EPA certified emit significantly less carbon dioxide than pellet stoves. The emissions from pellet stoves are also significantly less than those from gas furnaces. Pellets can be made of sawdust and bark as well as other lumber fragments. They may also contain corn, soybeans or agricultural waste. When they are burned, they emit less particulates, which can cause respiratory problems and allergies and carcinogens as well as nitrous dioxide.
The major difference between a wood stove and a pellet stove is the feed system. Pellet stoves come with hoppers that hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors suggest that the room is in need of heating, the auger turns. The pellets are placed in the combustion chamber and are burned to produce heat. The air from the combustion chamber is pushed through a heat exchanger which transmits the heat to the blower before releasing it into the room. This results in extremely low emissions and no creosote accumulation.
After the hopper has been empty, the ash gets removed using a cyclone and it is then deposited into an ash container. The stove also contains an air circulator to move the clean, heated air into the living space. The majority of pellet stoves are designed to be maintenance-free and come with a large view window for you and your family to take in the flames.
The main factor that influences pellet stove emissions is the quality of the pellets. The poor quality pellets will result in more emissions. When selecting your pellets ensure they are certified as meeting certain standards and do not contain other ingredients such as urea or petroleum-based products. Find a business with a warranty and will replace or repair parts in the event of a malfunction. Certain states provide homeowners with a tax credit in the event that they decide to go greener. This is a great opportunity to help offset the initial cost of this kind of stove and make it easier to install.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves generate less smoke and exhaust as compared to wood burning fireplaces. They also utilize an electric fan to distribute the heat more evenly across the space. This feature is one 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 using the use of a vacuum cleaner made of metal.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves in a way that they are easy to install and operate, as well as maintain. The stoves are available in different styles to complement the interior decor of your home. Some models include a WIFI app, programmable thermostat and remote control.
Most pellet stoves have a large fuel hopper that can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then pumped to the combustion chamber by an auger. The amount of heat produced 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 like hickory and oak or softwood pellets. Many stoves can even use alternative biomass pellets, such as those made of corn or switchgrass, which can be environmentally friendly alternatives.
Since
best rated pellet stoves stoves burn a clean fuel, they emit less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces, and require less maintenance. They don't require a chimney and are therefore an ideal choice for retrofits and new construction.
In contrast to wood stoves, which require regular maintenance to be cleaned of creosote and other chemicals,
pellet stoves vs wood stoves stoves need to be periodically inspected for proper operation and maintenance. Depending on the model, this may include regular inspections and cleaning of the accumulated the ash or "clinker," as well as the motor and fans. Your appliance dealer will be able to explain the proper procedure for your particular brand and model. He can also help you determine the right fuel for your stove, and give details on storage and safety.
