Pellet Stove Furnace

Pellet stoves can be used as a second heating source or, with proper venting, as a primary heating option. They are available in freestanding units as well as fireplace inserts that give your home the look of a traditional wood-burning fireplace.

The auger moves the pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber which is where they burn and produce heat. Sensors are used to monitor the fire and adjust its speed of operation to keep your desired temperature in the room.

1. Energy Efficiency

Pellet stoves burn renewable non-toxic fuel composed of compressed sawdust, bark, wood chips, and other materials that are typically put in landfills, but can be used to create an efficient and clean source of heating. As a result, they aid homeowners in reducing their energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Many people who use pellet stoves report that they can recoup their initial investment in few years by reducing their heating costs.

Pellets are highly compressed and are more dense than natural wood, which makes them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote buildup than traditional fireplaces made of wood. Furthermore, they are packaged in plastic bags to keep out moisture and require less frequent cleaning.

Pellet stoves, like other heating systems, need to be properly sized and vented. A skilled technician can assess your venting and space requirements to ensure the most efficient results.

When the installation is completed, a hearth is built in accordance with your specifications. Then, the vent is inserted 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, based on your preference and local regulations.

Once the hearth and vent are completed and the stove is ready to be plugged in. Certain manufacturers provide remote controls that make starting and maintaining the fire simple and others include sensors that monitor combustion, airflow and flue temperatures, as well as pressure. If the system determines that it requires more or less pellets, it will signal the auger to accelerate or slow down accordingly.

Every stove has an hopper for storage that can hold from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets until required. Hopper capacities determine how often the stove needs refills with more hoppers, allowing for longer periods between refills. A grille draws fresh air out of the room and then passes it over a heat exchanger, which then blasts heated air into the living space by convection. A auger, grate or any another device distributes the pellets, and a pan below is used to collect any unburned ones and also any combustion residue.

Pellet stoves are less energy-intensive than wood-burning stoves, but they are not as efficient as electric heaters or natural gas furnaces. The electric components that drive their motorized parts require electricity which could cause an issue during a power outage, though backup systems are readily available like generators and batteries.

2. Low Maintenance

Pellet stoves are incredibly efficient, however, like any other major heating appliance, they require some maintenance to ensure that they function properly. Cleaning regularly the exhaust vent of your stove and stove will prevent the build-up of harmful creosote which could cause an explosion, fire, or damage to your stove or home.

A pellet stove makes use of compressed natural particles (such as nutshells, kernels of corn, or small pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other substances. The pellets are fed into the combustion chamber through an electric auger. The thermostat you set controls the speed at which pellets are delivered to the burner. This allows the fire to remain roaring or modulate lower and even go out in accordance with the temperature you set. The ash is disposed of in an empty ash tin underneath the burner. This can easily be removed and disposed.

Pellets are made from byproducts from lumber processing that could otherwise be thrown away. They are a renewable source and produce less particles than traditional wood-burning appliances, making them a cleaner burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens, and other harmful chemicals that are released from pellet stoves are also much lower than the newer EPA certified wood stoves.

These stoves aren't required to be vented via a chimney, as is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they can be vented through a wall or another exterior structure. Pellet stoves have flue ports that open from the rear or the top of the appliance and are connected to the vent pipe which extends outside the home.

A pellet stove comes with one drawback it requires you to purchase or store enough fuel pellets for the entire winter season. Pellet stove owners typically consume three tons of wood pellets every winter, at a cost of $200 per ton. The costs can increase over time however, it's less expensive than buying and hauling firewood to a traditional wood-burning fireplace or stove. You should purchase enough pellets to ensure your stove can run through the winter's coldest months. Additionally, you will need to have a place to keep the pellets (preferably cool and dry).

3. Reduced Carbon Footprint

Pellet stoves make use of renewable biomass fuels to generate heat, which reduces the need for fossil fuels that are depleted. This reduces carbon footprints as well as diversifying the sources of energy for homes.

Even the newest woodstoves that are EPA certified emit significantly less carbon dioxide than pellet stoves. The emissions from pellet stoves are much lower than ones from gas furnaces. Pellets can be made from sawdust or bark, as well as other lumber remnants. They may also contain soybeans, corn, or agricultural waste. When they are burned, they release less particulates (leading to respiratory issues and allergies) as well as carcinogens and carbon monoxide as well as nitrous oxides.

The feed system is the main difference between a pellet stove and a wood stove. Pellet stoves come with hoppers that hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate that the room is in need of heating, the furnace turns and the pellets are fed into the combustion chamber where they burn and produce heat. The air from combustion chamber is then pumped through a heat exchanger which transmits heat to the blower. This process results in very low emissions and no creosote accumulation.

After the hopper has been empty, a cyclone removes the ash and places it in an ash pot. The stove also has an air circulator to move the warm, clean air into the living room. Most pellet stoves are made to operate with minimal maintenance and feature a large viewing window that allows you and your family members to enjoy the flames.

The quality of pellets is the main factor that influences the emissions of pellet stoves. Pellets that are not of the highest quality will cause more emissions. When selecting your pellets, ensure that they are certified to meet specific standards and don't contain other ingredients, such as petroleum or urea. Also look for a company that offers a guarantee and will repair or replace any part in the event of a malfunction. If you're looking to take the greener route certain states allow homeowners to claim a tax deduction for installing pellet stoves. This is a great way to reduce the initial cost of this type of stove and make it easier to install.

4. Reduced Noise

Pellet stoves generate less smoke and exhaust in comparison to fireplaces that burn wood. They also use an electric fan to distribute heat more evenly throughout the space. This is a major reason pellet stoves need less maintenance than wood stoves. While wood stoves require regular cleaning of particulates and chemicals to avoid deterioration, pellet stoves can be cleaned using an electric vacuum cleaner.

Many manufacturers have made an effort to design their stoves to be easy to install, operate pellet stove fireplace insert and maintain. Their appliances are available in different styles to complement the decor of your home. Some even include a programmable thermostat, remote control and WIFI app so you can manage and monitor your stove from any location in the world.

Most pellet stoves have an enormous fuel hopper that can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then delivered to the combustion chamber through an auger. The heat output and how hot the fire is will depend on the speed at which the pellets are fed to the burner. The hopper can be filled with either hardwood pellets (from dense wood species like oak and hickory) or softwood pellets (from pine and fir). Many stoves can even make use of alternative biomass pellets like those made from corn or switchgrass which are an environmentally friendly option.

Since pellet stoves burn as a clean fuel, they produce far less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces, and require less maintenance. They also do not require chimneys, making them a better choice for new constructions or retrofits.

Pellet stoves don't require regular cleaning of creosote or other chemical similar to wood stoves. They require only periodic inspections to ensure the 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 explain the proper procedure for your specific brand and model. He can also provide information regarding safety and storage, and help you find the appropriate fuel for your stove.