Pellet Stove FurnacePellet stoves can be used as a second heating source or, with proper venting, a primary heating option. These stoves are available in freestanding models as well as fireplace inserts. They can provide the appearance of an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace.
The auger transports pellets from the hopper to 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 temperature of the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves burn a renewable, non-toxic fuel made of compressed sawdust and wood chips. They also contain bark and other materials that are normally dumped in landfills, but can be repurposed into an efficient and clean source of heating. They can help homeowners cut down on their energy consumption, and therefore greenhouse gas emissions. Many users of pellet stoves say that they can recoup their initial investment in only few years through a reduction in their heating bills.
Pellets are much more dense and compressed than natural wood, making them more efficient for burning. They also produce less creosote compared to traditional wood-burning fires. They are also packed in plastic bags that are sealed to keep out moisture, and require less frequent cleaning.
Similar to other heating systems, pellet stoves need to be properly sized and vented. A skilled technician can evaluate your space requirements and venting requirements in order to get the most efficient results.
When the hearth is installed, it is constructed to fit the space and the vent is fitted through a pre-cut hole your home's siding. The vent can be run through a sidewall or roof depending on your preference and local laws.
When the vent and hearth are completed then the pellet stove can be connected and switched on. Certain manufacturers provide a remote control that makes starting and maintaining the fire simple and others include sensors that monitor combustion, airflow flue temperature, pressure. If the system determines that it needs more pellets or less, it will signal to the auger that it needs to accelerate or slow down according to the need.
All stoves come with a storage hopper which can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. Hopper capacities affect how often the stove will need to be filled and larger hoppers allow for longer periods between refills. A grille draws air from the room, passes it over the heat exchanger, and then blows heated air through the living area through convection. A auger, grate or any other device distributes pellets, and a pan below is used to collect any unburned ones as well as the combustion leftovers.
Pellet stoves are more efficient in energy use 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 be an issue during a power outage, though backup systems are in place like batteries and generators.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, however, like any other major heating appliance, they require some maintenance to ensure they are operating properly. Cleaning regularly your stove's exhaust vent and stove will prevent the build-up of harmful creosote which could cause an explosion, fire, or damage to your stove or house.
A pellet stove burns compressed natural particles made of wood or other materials (like nutshells, corn kernels or
Small pellet stoves pieces of wood scraps). An electric auger feeds the fuel pellets from a tank into the burner, and into the combustion chamber. The thermostat you set regulates the speed at which pellets are delivered to the burner. This allows the fire to remain roaring or modulate lower or even shut down according to the temperature you set. When the fire goes out the ash is thrown into an empty ash tray underneath the burner. It can then be easily removed and then disposed of.
Pellets are made from waste products that could have been discarded during the process of processing lumber. They are a renewable source and produce less particles than traditional wood-burning stoves, 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 significantly lower than the more
modern pellet stove EPA certified wood stoves.
They are not required to be vented through a chimney, like is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they should be vented through a wall or another exterior structure. Pellet stoves come with flue ports that are located on the front or back of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe which extends out from the house.
A pellet stove has one drawback that you must purchase or store enough fuel pellets to last the entire winter time. Pellet stove owners typically use three tons of wood pellets per winter, at a cost of $200 per ton. These expenses will increase over time however it's much cheaper than purchasing and hauling firewood for traditional fireplaces or stove. You should buy enough pellets to ensure that your stove will be able to run through the coldest winter months. Additionally, you will require a location to store the pellets (preferably cool and dry).
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
pellet stove clearance sale stoves use renewable biomass fuel to create heat, which reduces the need for finite fossil fuels. This helps reduce the carbon footprint and also helps diversify energy sources in homes.
Emissions from pellet stoves are considerably less than woodstoves, even newer stoves that are EPA-certified. Emissions from pellet stoves are also less than those from gas furnaces. Pellets are made of wood, sawdust and other lumber leftovers and may also contain various other materials including corn, soybeans and nutshells, cherry pits and agricultural waste. When they are burned, they emit less particulates, which could cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions as well as carcinogens and nitrous oxide.
The feed system is the main difference between pellet stoves and wood stove. Pellet stoves have hoppers that hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors signal that the room is in need of heating, the furnace turns. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber, where they burn to generate heat. The air from combustion chamber is pumped through a heat exchanger, which transfers heat to the blower. This process creates very low emissions, and creosote is not created.
After the hopper has been empty, the ash is removed by a cyclone and is deposited in an ash bin. The stove is fitted with an air-flow system that circulates the clean, heated air throughout the room. The majority of pellet stoves are made to run with minimal maintenance and come with a large view window for you and your family to take in the flames.
The quality of pellets is the main factor that affects the emissions of pellet stoves. Poor-quality pellets will produce more emissions. When choosing your pellets make sure they're certified to meet certain standards and don't contain other ingredients such as urea or petroleum products. Also, look for a manufacturer that has a warranty and will repair or replace any part in the event of a malfunction. Some states offer homeowners an incentive to pay taxes when they choose to go greener. This is a great opportunity to help reduce the initial cost of this kind of stove and make it more affordable to set up.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce very little smoke or exhaust compared to fireplaces that burn wood. They also utilize an electric fan to distribute the heat more evenly throughout the space. This is one of the reasons
miniature pellet stove stoves require much less maintenance than traditional wood stoves.
