The People Nearest To Pellet Stove Furnace Tell You Some Big Secrets
Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a second heating source or, with proper venting, as a primary heating option. They are available as freestanding models or as fireplace inserts. They can provide the appearance 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 monitor the fire and can adjust the rate of operation to maintain the desired temperature of the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves make use of a renewable, non-toxic fuel that is made from compressed sawdust as well as other materials. They are usually removed from landfills, but they can be used to provide a clean, efficient source of heat. They help homeowners lower their energy usage and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Many homeowners who own pellet stoves say they have recouped their initial investment in only several years with lower heating costs.
Pellets are stronger and more compressed than natural wood, making them more efficient for burning. They also produce much less creosote than traditional fireplaces that burn wood. They are also packaged in plastic bags that block out moisture, and require less frequent cleaning.
Similar to other heating systems, pellet stoves must be properly sized and vented. A professional technician will be able to evaluate your venting requirements and space requirements to ensure the best results.
When the hearth is installed, it is constructed to the right size, and the vent is installed through a pre-cut hole the siding of your home. The vent can be run out the side wall or the roof, depending on your preference and the local regulations.
After the hearth and vent are complete then the pellet stove can be plugged in and turned on. Certain manufacturers offer the option of a remote control to make it simple to start and keep the fire burning, whereas other manufacturers offer additional sensors that check airflow and combustion 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 accordingly.
All stoves have a storage hopper that holds from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets until they're required. Hopper capacities determine the frequency at which the stove will need to be filled with more hoppers, allowing for longer periods between refills. A grille draws air from the room, then passes it over the heat exchanger, and then blows heated air in the living area through convection. A auger, grate or other device distributes the pellets and a pan beneath is used to collect any unburned ones as well as combustion residue.
Pellet stoves are less energy-intensive than wood-burning models, but aren't as efficient as natural gas or electric furnaces. Electric components that drive motorized parts of stoves require electricity. This could be an issue in the event of power failure, although backup systems such as generators and batteries are readily available.
2. Low Maintenance

Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, but they require some care to function properly. Cleaning your stove and exhaust vent on a regular basis will prevent the buildup of harmful creosote. This could lead to a fire or an explosion that could cause damage to your stove or even your home.
A pellet stove is made up of natural particles that are compressed (such as kernels, nutshells of corn or tiny pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other materials. An electric auger is used to feed the fuel pellets from a tank into the burner, and into the combustion chamber. The rate at which the pellets are fed into the burner is controlled by the thermostat you set. This allows the fire to keep roaring or lower and even go out according to the temperature you set. When the fire is gone the ash is thrown into an empty ash tray underneath the burner that can be easily removed and disposed of.
Pellets are made from waste products that could have been discarded when processing lumber. They are renewable and release much less dust into the air than traditional wood-burning stoves resulting in a very clean burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens, and other harmful chemicals emitted by pellet stoves is far lower than with newer wood stoves that have been certified by the EPA.
Due to the low emissions, these appliances do not need to be vented through a chimney as traditional wood stoves, however, they should be vented through a wall or other external structure.
pellet stoves vs wood stoves have flue ports that are open on the rear or top of the appliance. They are connected to an exhaust pipe that extends outside of the home.
One drawback of a pellet stove is that you must purchase or store enough pellets to last through the winter season. On average, homeowners of a pellet stove use three tons of pellets during the course of the winter, at a cost of $200 for each ton. The expenses can add up, but they are less expensive than buying firewood and transporting it to a fireplace or wood-burning stove. You should purchase enough pellets to ensure that your stove will run throughout the coldest winter months. Additionally, you will need to have a place to store the pellets (preferably dry and cool).
3. Reduce carbon footprint
Pellet stoves use renewable biomass fuel to generate heat, reducing dependence on fossil fuels that are depleted. This reduces carbon footprints and increases the diversity of the sources of energy for homes.
Even the latest wood stoves that are EPA certified emit significantly less than pellet stoves. The emissions from pellet stoves also are much lower than ones from gas furnaces. Pellets are made up of compressed sawdust, bark and other wood wastes. They may also contain different substances like soybeans, corn and nutshells, cherry pits and agricultural waste. When they are burned, they release less particulates, which could cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions and carcinogens as well as nitrous dioxide.
The feed system is the primary difference between a pellet stove and a wood stove. Pellet stoves have hoppers to store the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors signal that the room needs heating, the furnace turns. The pellets are placed in the combustion chamber, where they burn 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 before releasing it into the room. This process produces very low emissions, and creosote is not formed.
After the hopper has been empty, the ash gets removed using a cyclone and it is then deposited into an ash container. The stove also features fans to circulate the clean, heated air into the living space. Most pellet stoves are designed to run with minimal maintenance and have a large viewing window for you and your family members to enjoy the flames.
The main factor that influences emissions from pellet stoves is the quality of the pellets. 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 offers a guarantee and will repair or replace components in the event of a malfunction. Some states offer homeowners a tax credit when they choose to go even greener. This is a great opportunity to help offset the initial cost of this type of stove and make installation more affordable.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves produce very little smoke or exhaust compared to fireplaces with wood burning. They also use an electric fan to distribute the heat more evenly throughout the space. This is the reason why pellet stoves require less maintenance than wood stoves. While wood stoves need to be cleaned regularly of chemicals and particulates, pellet stoves only need an specialized metal vacuum cleaner for regular cleaning.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves to ensure that they are simple to set up, operate and maintain. They also make their appliances in a wide range of styles to match the decor of your home. Some models include a WIFI app, remote control, and programmable thermostat.
Most pellet stoves come with a large fuel hopper that can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then delivered to the combustion chamber through an auger. The speed at which the pellets are delivered to the burner determines how hot the fire is as well as the amount of heat it produces. The hopper may be filled with hardwood pellets made from wood with a dense structure like hickory and oak or softwood pellets. Many stoves can burn biomass pellets made from corn and switchgrass. This is a green alternative.
Because pellet stoves burn such an environmentally friendly fuel, they emit less smoke than conventional wood-burning fireplaces and require less maintenance. They don't require a chimney and are therefore the best choice for retrofits or new construction.
Pellet stoves don't require regular cleaning of creosote and other chemicals like wood stoves. They only need periodic inspections to ensure the proper operation and maintenance. Depending on the model, this may include a regular inspection and cleaning of the accumulation of the ash or "clinker," as well as the motor and fans. Your appliance dealer will be able to explain the proper procedure for your brand and model. He can also assist you to identify the right fuel for your stove and provide details on storage and safety.