The Next Big Thing In The Pellet Stove Furnace Industry
Pellet Stove Furnace Pellet stoves can be used as a second heat source or, with proper venting, a primary heating option. They are available as freestanding units or as fireplace inserts that can give your home the appearance of traditional wood-burning fireplaces. The auger carries pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber where they are burned and produce heat. Sensors are able to monitor the flame and alter the speed of operation to maintain a desired room temperature. 1. Energy Efficiency Pellet stoves burn a renewable non-toxic fuel composed of compressed sawdust and wood chips. They also contain bark, and other materials that are normally put in landfills, but can be repurposed into a clean and efficient source of heating. This means that they aid homeowners in reducing their energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Many pellet stove owners have reported that they've recouped their initial investment within just a few years, thanks to lower heating bills. Pellets are highly compressed and more solid than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote than traditional wood-burning fires. They are also packaged in plastic bags that are sealed 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 space and venting requirements to ensure the best results. When the installation is completed, 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 is then run out a side wall or through the roof, depending on your preference and the local regulations. Once the hearth and vent are finished and the stove is ready to be plugged in. Some manufacturers offer a remote control that makes starting and maintaining the fire easy, while others have additional sensors that monitor combustion, airflow and flue temperatures, as well as pressure. When the system detects that it requires more or less pellets, it tells the auger to speed up or slow down in line with the need. All stoves have a storage hopper which can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The size of the hopper will determine how often you need to replenish your stove. Larger hoppers permit longer periods before a refill is required. A grille draws air out of the room, then passes it over the heat exchanger and then blows heated air into the living space via convection. A auger, grate or any other device distributes the pellets and a pan beneath collects any unburned ones as well as the combustion residue. Pellet stoves are more efficient in energy use than wood-burning models but not as efficient as electric heaters or natural gas furnaces. The electric components that drive their motorized parts require electricity and could pose problematic during an power outage, though backup systems are available like batteries and generators. 2. Low Maintenance Pellet stoves are incredibly efficient, however, like any other major heating appliance, they require some care to keep them running correctly. Cleaning regularly your stove's exhaust vents and stove will prevent the accumulation of harmful creosote that can cause an explosion, fire, or damage to your stove or home. A pellet stove uses natural particles that are compressed (such as kernels, nutshells of corn or tiny pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other materials. An electric-powered auger is used to feed the pellets from a fuel container into the burner and into the combustion chamber. The rate at which the pellets are fed to the burner is controlled by the thermostat you set. The fire can be kept burning or reduced or even snuffed out depending on the temperature you set. When the fire is out the ash is thrown into an empty ash tray underneath the burner that can be easily removed and disposed. Pellets are made from waste products that would have been discarded during the process of processing lumber. They are a renewable resource and emit less dust than traditional wood-burning appliances, making pellet stoves a cleaner heat source. The amount of carcinogens, carbon monoxide and other harmful chemicals emitted from pellet stoves is significantly lower than the more modern 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 should be vented properly via a wall, or any other exterior structure. Pellet stoves come with flue ports 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 disadvantage that you must purchase or store enough fuel pellets to last the entire winter season. Pellet stove owners typically use three tons of wood pellets every winter, for a price of $200 per ton. The cost can be high but they're cheaper than purchasing firewood and then hauling it away for a fireplace or wood-burning stove. You should purchase enough pellets so that your stove can run through the winter's coldest months. Additionally, you will need to have a place to store the pellets (preferably cool and dry). 3. Reduce carbon footprint Pellet stoves produce heat using renewable biomass fuel, which reduces the dependence on fossil fuels that are finite. This reduces the carbon footprint as well as helping diversify the energy sources used in homes. Even the most modern woodstoves that are EPA certified emit significantly less carbon dioxide than pellet stoves. The emissions from pellet stoves also are significantly lower than the ones from gas furnaces. Pellets are made from compressed sawdust, bark, and other lumber leftovers and can also comprise a variety of other substances like soybeans, corn and nutshells, cherry pits, and agricultural waste. When burned, they emit fewer particulates (leading to respiratory problems and allergies) as well as carcinogens and carbon monoxide as well as nitrous oxides. The primary difference between the wood stove and the pellet stove is the feed system. Pellet stoves come with hoppers that contain the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate the room needs heating, the auger turns. The pellets are put into the combustion chamber and are burned to generate heat. The air that is released from the combustion chamber is pushed through a heat exchanger which transfers the heat to the blower and then out into the room. web link produces very little emissions, and creosote is not formed. After the hopper has been emptied, the ash is removed by a cyclone, and is deposited in an ash bin. The stove is equipped with an air-flow system that circulates the warm, fresh air into the room. Most pellet stoves require only 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 most important factor that affects pellet stove emissions. Poor-quality pellets will produce more emissions. When choosing 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 who offers a warranty and will repair or replace parts in the event of a problem. Some states offer homeowners an incentive to pay taxes if they want to go greener. This is a great opportunity to help to offset the initial cost of this type of stove and make it easier to set up. 4. Reduced Noise Pellet stoves produce very little smoke or exhaust compared to fireplaces that burn wood. A fan is used to spread heat more evenly across the room. This feature is one reason pellet stoves need less maintenance than wood stoves. While wood stoves must be regularly cleaned of particulates and chemicals, pellet stoves only need the use of a special metal vacuum cleaner for routine cleaning. Many manufacturers have designed their stoves so that they are simple to set up and operate, as well as maintain. They come in a variety of styles that are designed to match the interior decor of your home. Certain models come with WIFI, a programmable thermostat and remote control. Most pellet stoves come with an enormous fuel hopper that can hold anywhere from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber by an auger. The heat output and how hot the fire is will depend on the speed at which pellets are fed into 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). A lot of stoves can burn biomass pellets made from switchgrass and corn. This is an environmentally friendly alternative. Because pellet stoves burn such an environmentally friendly fuel, they generate less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces and require less maintenance. They do not need chimneys and are an ideal choice for retrofits and new construction. Unlike wood stoves, which need to be kept regularly cleaned of creosote and other chemicals, pellet stoves only need to be periodically inspected to ensure proper operation and maintenance. Depending on the model, this might include regular inspections and cleaning of the accumulation of the ash or “clinker,” as well as the motor and fan. Your appliance dealer can explain the correct procedures for your specific brand and model. He can also provide you with information regarding safety and storage, and assist you in locating the right fuel for your stove.