5 Qualities People Are Looking For In Every Pellet Stove Furnace

Pellet Stove Furnace Pellet stoves can be used as a supplemental heat source or, if you have proper venting, as a primary heating option. They can be purchased as freestanding units or fireplace inserts that give your home the look of an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace. The auger transports the pellets out of the hopper into the combustion chamber which is where they burn and produce heat. Sensors are able to monitor the flame and adjust the rate of operation to maintain a desired room temperature. 1. Energy Efficiency Pellet stoves are a non-toxic, renewable fuel that is made from compressed sawdust and other substances. They are typically disposed of in landfills, but can also be used to create a clean, efficient source of heat. They can help homeowners cut down on their energy consumption, and thus greenhouse gas emissions. Many homeowners who own pellet stoves report recouping their initial investment in just several years with lower heating costs. Pellets are much more dense and compressed than natural wood, which makes them more efficient in burning. They also produce less creosote buildup than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. Furthermore, they are packed in plastic bags to seal out moisture and need less frequent cleaning. Pellet stoves, like other heating systems need to be properly sized and vented. A professional technician can determine the space requirements and venting requirements in order to get the most efficient results. When the hearth is installed, it is constructed to the right size, and the vent is inserted through a hole that has been cut in your home's siding. The vent can be run through a sidewall or roof depending on your preference and the local laws. Once the vent and hearth are complete then the pellet stove can be connected and switched on. Some manufacturers provide a remote control that makes starting and maintaining the fire simple, while others have additional sensors that monitor combustion, airflow flue temperature, pressure. If the system is able to determine that it needs more pellets or less, it signals to the auger to accelerate or slow it down according to the need. All stoves have a storage container that can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The size of the hopper determines the frequency at which you have to replenish your stove. Larger hoppers can be used for longer periods before a refill is needed. A grille pulls fresh air from the room and passes it over an exchanger that then is able to blow heated air into the living space by convection. A auger, grate or other device distributes the pellets, and a pan below will collect any pellets that are not burned as well as the combustion remnants. Although pellet stoves are more efficient than wood-burning models, they're not as efficient as natural gas furnaces or electricity-powered heaters. The electric components that drive their motorized components require an electrical supply, which could be an issue during a power outage, even though backup systems are readily available, such as generators and batteries. 2. Low Maintenance Pellet stoves can be extremely efficient, however they require some care to function properly. Cleaning your stove's exhaust vent and the stove will stop the accumulation of harmful creosote that can cause a fire, explosion or damage to your stove or home. A pellet stove uses compressed natural particles (such as kernels, nutshells of corn or tiny pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other materials. An auger powered by electricity feeds the pellets from a fuel tank into the burner, and into the combustion chamber. The speed at which pellets are fed into the burner is controlled by the thermostat you set. This lets the fire remain roaring or modulate lower and even go out in accordance with the temperature you set. The ash will be collected in an empty ash tray underneath the burner. It can be easily removed and then disposed. Pellets are created from the waste products of wood processing that would otherwise be thrown away. They are renewable resources and release significantly less particles 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 pellet stoves is also significantly lower than that of modern wood stoves that have been certified by the EPA. Due to the low emissions, these appliances are not required to be vented through a chimney as traditional wood stoves, but should be properly vented through a wall or another exterior structure. Pellet stoves have flue ports on the rear or top of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe which extends outside the home. One disadvantage of a pellet stove is that you must purchase or store enough pellets to last through the winter months. On average, pellet stove owners use three tons of pellets over the course of the winter, at a cost of $200 for each ton. The cost can be high however they are much cheaper than purchasing firewood and transporting it to a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Make sure that you purchase enough pellets to ensure that your stove will last through the coldest months and that you have the right space to store them (preferably dry, cool and away from the ground). 3. Reduce Carbon Footprint Pellet stoves make use of renewable biomass fuels to generate heat, thus reducing the dependence on fossil fuels that are depleted. This helps reduce the carbon footprint and helps diversify the sources of energy used in homes. Even the newest woodstoves that are EPA certified emit significantly less carbon dioxide than pellet stoves. Emissions from pellet stoves are also significantly less than those from gas furnaces. Pellets are made of wood, sawdust and other lumber waste. They may also contain various other materials including corn, soybeans as well as nutshells, cherries pits, and agricultural waste. When burned, they emit less particulates (leading to respiratory problems and allergies) as well as carcinogens, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides. The feed system is the main difference between a pellet stove and a wood stove. Pellet stoves come with hoppers to store the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors signal that the room requires heating, the furnace turns. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber, where they burn to produce heat. The air from combustion chamber is then pumped through a heat exchanger which transmits heat to the blower. This process results in low emissions and no creosote accumulation. After the hopper has been empty, a cyclone action removes the ash and deposits it in an ash jar. The stove is equipped with a fan that circulates the warm, fresh air into the room. Most pellet stoves require minimal maintenance and feature a large viewing area for you and your family members to relax and enjoy the flames. The quality of pellets is the primary element that influences pellet stove emissions. Pellets that are not of the highest quality produce more emissions. When selecting your pellets ensure that they meet certain standards and do not contain other ingredients such as petroleum-based or urea-based substances. Look for pellet stove fireplace insert that has a guarantee and will repair or replace parts in the event of an issue. If you're looking to take an even greener approach certain states permit homeowners to claim a tax deduction for installing pellet stoves. This is a great opportunity to to offset the initial cost of this kind 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 distribute heat more evenly in the room. This feature is one of the reasons why pellet stoves require much less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves require frequent cleaning of chemicals and particulates to prevent their deterioration stoves can be cleaned with an electric vacuum cleaner. Many manufacturers have made an effort to design their stoves to be easy to set up and to operate as well as maintain. The stoves come in a variety of styles that match the decor of your home. Some models come with a WIFI app, programmable thermostat and remote control. The majority of pellet stoves come with an enormous fuel hopper, which can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber via an auger. The speed at which the pellets are fed to the burner determines how hot the fire is and also the amount of heat produced. The hopper may 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, like those made from corn or switchgrass that can be an environmentally friendly option. Pellet stoves emit less smoke and require less maintenance due to the fact that they use a less polluting fuel than wood-burning fireplaces. They do not need chimneys, making them an ideal choice for retrofits and new construction. Pellet stoves do not require regular cleaning of creosote or other chemicals similar to wood stoves. They only need periodic inspections to ensure proper operation and maintenance. This may include regular cleaning and inspection of the ash or “clinker” as well as the motors and fans according to the model. Your appliance dealer can explain the proper procedures for your specific model and brand. He can also provide information regarding safety and storage, and help you find the appropriate fuel for your stove.