10 Life Lessons We Can Learn From Pellet Stove Furnace

Pellet Stove Furnace

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

The auger transports pellets from the hopper to the combustion chamber which is where they burn and produce heat. Sensors are able to monitor the flame and alter the speed of operation in order to maintain the desired room temperature.

1. Energy Efficiency

Pellet stoves make use of renewable, non-toxic fuel that is made from compressed sawdust and other materials. These are usually removed from landfills, but can also be used to create a clean, efficient source of heat. As a result, they help homeowners lower their energy usage and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Many people who use pellet stoves report that they can recoup their initial investment in a couple of 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 than traditional wood-burning fires. They are also packaged in plastic bags that keep out moisture and require less frequent cleaning.

Like other heating systems pellet stoves should be properly sized and vented. A skilled technician can determine the venting requirements and space requirements to ensure the best results.

In the process of installation, the hearth is built to size and the vent is inserted through a pre-cut hole in your home's siding. The vent can be run out either a side wall or the roof, depending on your preference and local regulations.

After the hearth and vent are completed then the pellet stove can be connected and turned on. Some manufacturers provide a remote control that makes starting and maintaining the fire easy while others come with additional sensors that monitor combustion, airflow flue temperature, pressure. When the system detects it needs more pellets or less, it signals to the auger that it needs to speed up or slow it down in line with the needs.

All stoves come with a storage tank that can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The size of the hopper will determine how often you need to replenish your stove. Larger hoppers allow for longer time periods before refills is required. A grille draws fresh air from the room and passes it over a heat exchanger, which then is able to blow heated air into the living space through convection. A grate or auger spreads the pellets, and the pan beneath collects any unburnt ones along with 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. Electric components that drive motorized parts of the stoves require an electrical supply. This could pose an issue in the event of power failure, although backup systems like batteries and generators are available.

2. Low Maintenance

Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, however, like any other major heating appliance, they require a bit of maintenance to ensure they are operating properly. Cleaning regularly the exhaust vent of your stove and stove will prevent the accumulation of harmful creosote, which can cause a fire, explosion or damage to your stove or house.

A pellet stove uses natural particles that are compressed (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 via an electric auger. The rate at which the pellets are pumped into the burner is controlled by the thermostat you set. This lets the fire remain roaring, or to lower the rate and even stop according to the temperature you set. The ash will be disposed in an empty ash tray beneath the burner. It can be easily removed and then disposed.

Pellets are made from waste products that would have been discarded in the process of processing lumber. They are a sustainable source and produce less particulates 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 are also less than the latest EPA certified wood stoves.

These appliances are not required to be vented via chimneys, as is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they can be vented properly through a wall, or other structure outside. Pellet stoves have flue ports on the rear or top of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe which extends outside the home.

A pellet stove comes with one drawback: you have to purchase or store enough fuel pellets to last for the entire winter time. On average, owners of pellet stoves use three tons of pellets over the course of the winter at $200 per ton. The costs can add up but they're less expensive than buying firewood and transporting it to a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Make sure that you purchase enough pellets to ensure your stove will last throughout the coldest winter months and that you have a suitable place to store the pellets (preferably cool, dry and away from the ground).

3. Reduce carbon footprint

Pellet stoves make use of renewable biomass fuel to generate heat, reducing dependence on fossil fuels that are depleted. This helps reduce the carbon footprint as well as helping diversify energy sources in homes.

The emissions of pellet stoves are significantly less than woodstoves, even newer EPA-certified ones. The emissions from pellet stoves also are significantly lower than the ones from gas furnaces. Pellets are made from wood, sawdust and other lumber waste.  best pellet stove inserts  may also contain various other substances like soybeans, corn, nutshells, cherry pits, and agricultural waste. When they are burned, they emit less particulates, which can cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions, carcinogens and nitrous dioxide.

The feed system is the major difference between pellet stoves and wood stove. Pellet stoves are equipped with hoppers to hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate that the room is in need of heating, the auger turns and the pellets are fed into the combustion chamber where they are burned and generate 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 buildup.

When the hopper is empty, a cyclone action takes away the ash and puts it in an ash pan. The stove is fitted with a fan that circulates the heated, clean air into the room. Most pellet stoves require only minimal maintenance and come with a huge viewing area for you and your loved ones to enjoy the flames.

The most significant factor affecting emissions from pellet stoves is the quality of the pellets. The poor quality pellets emit 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. Also make sure you choose a manufacturer that offers a guarantee and will repair or replace components in the event of a malfunction. Certain states provide homeowners with tax credits in the event that they decide to go greener. This is a great opportunity to help offset the initial cost of this type of stove and makes installation more affordable.

4. Reduced Noise

Pellet stoves emit very little emissions or smoke compared to fireplaces that burn wood. A fan is employed to distribute heat more evenly in the room. This feature is one of the reasons pellet stoves require less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves have to be frequently cleaned of chemicals and particulates pellet stoves need a specialized metal vacuum cleaner for routine cleaning.

Many manufacturers have made an effort to design their stoves to be simple to set up and to operate as well as maintain. They also offer their stoves in a variety of styles that will match the decor of your home. Some come with programmable thermostats, remote control and WIFI app so you can control and monitor your stove from any location in the world.

The majority of pellet stoves have a large fuel hopper that can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber via an auger. The heat output and the degree to which the fire gets depends on the speed at which pellets are fed to the burner. The hopper could be filled with hardwood pellets, made from dense wood species like hickory and oak or softwood pellets. Many stoves can even burn alternative biomass pellets, such as those made of corn or switchgrass that can be environmentally friendly alternatives.

Pellet stoves emit less smoke and require less maintenance due to the fact that they use a cleaner fuel than wood-burning fireplaces. They don't require chimneys, making them a better choice for retrofits and new construction.

Pellet stoves don't require regular cleaning of creosote or other chemicals like wood stoves. They only need periodic inspections to ensure their proper operation and maintenance. Depending on the model, this may include regular inspections and cleaning of the accumulated Ash or "clinker," as well as the motor and fans. Your appliance dealer can provide the correct procedures for the specific model and brand. He can also provide information regarding storage and safety, and assist you in finding the correct fuel for your stove.