10 Life Lessons We Can Learn From Pellet Stove Furnace

Pellet Stove Furnace Pellet stoves are available as freestanding units or fireplace inserts that give your home the look of an authentic fireplace that burns wood. They can be purchased as freestanding units or as fireplace inserts that can give your home the look of traditional wood-burning fireplaces. The auger transports the pellets out of the hopper to the combustion chamber which is where they burn and generate heat. Sensors monitor the fire and can alter the speed of operation to keep your desired temperature in the room. 1. Energy Efficiency Pellet stoves are a renewable, non-toxic fuel made of compressed sawdust and other materials. They are typically removed from landfills, but can also be used to create a clean and efficient source of heat. They can help homeowners cut down on their energy use and thus greenhouse gas emissions. Many users of pellet stoves say that they recoup their initial investment in just a few short years by reducing their heating costs. Pellets are stronger and more compressed than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. pellet stoves modern produce less creosote compared to traditional wood-burning fires. Furthermore, they are stored in plastic bags to stop moisture from entering and require less frequent cleaning. Pellet stoves, as with other heating systems need to be sized and vented properly. A professional technician will be able to assess your venting requirements and space requirements to ensure the best results. In the process of installation the hearth is constructed according to your specifications and the vent is installed via a hole pre-cut in the siding of your home. The vent is then run out the side wall or the roof, based on your preference and local regulations. Once the vent and hearth are completed, the pellet stove may be connected. Certain manufacturers offer the option of a remote control to make it simple to begin and keep the fire burning, whereas other manufacturers offer additional sensors that monitor combustion and airflow as well as flue temperatures and pressure. When the system detects it needs more pellets or less, it sends a signal to the auger that it needs to accelerate or slow it down according to the need. Each stove comes with an hopper for storage that can hold between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets until they're required. The size of the hopper will determine the frequency at which you have to replenish your stove. Larger hoppers can be used for longer time periods before refills is needed. A grille draws fresh air from the room and passes it over an exchanger for heat, which then blasts heated air into the living space through convection. A auger, grate or any other device distributes pellets, and a pan below collects any unburned ones as well as the combustion remnants. Pellet stoves are more energy-efficient than wood-burning models, but aren't as efficient as natural gas or electric furnaces. Electric components that drive motorized components of the stoves require electricity. This could pose an issue in the event of a power outage, though backup systems like generators and batteries are readily available. 2. Low Maintenance Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, however they require some attention to operate properly. Cleaning the exhaust vent of your stove and stove will prevent the build-up of harmful creosote that can cause an explosion, fire or damage to your stove or house. A pellet stove burns compressed natural wood particles or other materials (like corn kernels, nutshells or small pieces of scrap wood). An electric auger is used to feed the fuel pellets from a container into the burner and into the combustion chamber. The thermostat you set controls the speed of pellets being fed to the burner. This allows the fire to 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 could have been discarded during the process of processing lumber. They are renewable resources and release far less particulates 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 emitted from pellet stoves are also significantly lower than the more modern EPA certified wood stoves. They are not required to be vented via chimneys, as is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they must be vented properly through a wall, or other structure outside. Pellet stoves have flue ports that open on the rear or top of the appliance. They are connected to the vent pipe which extends outside the home. One disadvantage of a pellet stove is that you have to purchase or store enough pellets to last through the winter months. On average, pellet stove owners use three tons of pellets during the course of the winter, at a cost of $200 for each ton. The costs can add up however they are much less expensive than buying firewood and transporting it to a wood-burning stove or fireplace. You should buy enough pellets to ensure your stove will be able to run through the winter's coldest months. Additionally, you will need to have a place to keep the pellets (preferably cool and dry). 3. Reduce Carbon Footprint Pellet stoves utilize renewable biomass fuel to create heat, reducing dependence on fossil fuels that are finite. This helps reduce the carbon footprint as well as helping diversify energy sources in homes. Even the latest wood stoves that are EPA certified emit significantly less than pellet stoves. Emissions from pellet stoves are also significantly lower than those of gas furnaces. Pellets can be made from sawdust or bark, as well as other lumber remnants. They can also include soybeans, corn, or agricultural waste. When burned, they emit fewer particulates (leading to respiratory problems and allergies), carcinogens, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides. The feed system is the major difference between pellet stoves and wood stove. Pellet stoves have hoppers which hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors suggest that the room requires heating, the furnace turns. The pellets are fed into the combustion chamber and burn to produce heat. The air from combustion chamber is passed 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, the ash is removed using a cyclone and deposited in an ash container. The stove is fitted with a fan that circulates clean, heated air throughout the room. Most pellet stoves are designed to operate with minimal maintenance and feature a large viewing window for you and your family to enjoy the flames. The quality of pellets is the primary element that influences the emissions of pellet stoves. Pellets that are not of the highest quality will cause more emissions. When choosing your pellets, ensure that they meet certain standards and don't contain other ingredients like petroleum-based or urea-based substances. Look for a company with a warranty and will repair or replace parts in the event of an issue. If you want to take an environmentally friendly approach certain states allow homeowners to claim a tax deduction for installing pellet stoves. This is a great opportunity to help offset the initial cost of this kind of stove and make it easier to install. 4. Reduced Noise Pellet stoves generate very little smoke and emissions as compared to wood burning fireplaces. A fan is employed to spread heat more evenly throughout the room. This is the reason why pellet stoves require less maintenance than wood stoves. While wood stoves need to be frequently cleaned of chemicals and particulates, pellet stoves only need an specialized metal vacuum cleaner for routine cleaning. Many manufacturers have designed their stoves so that they are simple to install, operate and maintain. Their appliances are available in various styles that complement the decor of your home. Some even come with a programmable thermostat and remote control as well as a WIFI app so you can manage and monitor your stove from anywhere 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 using an auger. The speed at which pellets are fed to the burner determines how hot the flame is and also the amount of heat produced. The hopper can be filled with hardwood pellets (from dense wood species like oak and hickory) or softwood pellets (from pine and fir). Many stoves can even burn alternative biomass pellets, like those made from switchgrass or corn that can be an eco-friendly option. Since pellet stoves burn as a clean fuel, they emit less smoke than conventional wood-burning fireplaces and require fewer maintenance. They also don't require a chimney, making them a more appropriate choice for new constructions or retrofits. In contrast to wood stoves, which require regular maintenance to keep cleaned of creosote and other chemicals, pellet stoves only need to be periodically inspected to ensure proper operation and maintenance. This may include regular cleaning and inspection of the ash or “clinker” as well as the fans and motors according to the model. Your appliance dealer will be able to explain the correct procedures for your brand and model. He can also provide information regarding storage and safety, and assist you in finding the appropriate fuel for your stove.