Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a supplemental 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 look of an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace.
pellet stoves modern from the hopper to the combustion chamber, where they are ignited and generate heat. Sensors are able to monitor the flame and alter the speed of operation to maintain a desired temperature of the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves burn renewable non-toxic, non-toxic fuel that is made from compressed sawdust wood chips, bark, and other materials that are normally placed in landfills but which can be turned into a sustainable and clean source of heating. They can help homeowners cut down on their energy consumption, and thus greenhouse gas emissions. Many users of pellet stoves say that they can recoup their initial investment in a couple of years, by reducing their heating bills.
Pellets are much more dense and compressed than natural wood, making them more efficient for burning. They also produce much less creosote than traditional fireplaces made of wood. They are also packaged in plastic bags that block out moisture and require less frequent cleaning.
Pellet stoves, just like other heating systems need to be properly sized and vented. A professional technician will be able to evaluate your space requirements and venting requirements to achieve the best results.
During installation, the hearth is constructed to fit the space and the vent is installed through a hole that has been cut in the siding of your home. The vent can be positioned through a sidewall or roof depending on your preference and the local laws.
After the vent and hearth are completed the pellet stove can be plugged in. Certain manufacturers offer an electronic remote control that makes it simple to begin and keep the fire going, while others offer additional sensors that monitor airflow and combustion flue temperatures, as well as pressure. When the system detects that it requires more or less pellets, it will signal the auger to accelerate or slow down in line with the need.
All stoves have a storage tank that can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The size of the hopper determines how often you need to refill your stove. Larger hoppers allow for longer periods before refills is needed. A grille pulls fresh air from the room and passes it through a heat exchanger, which then blasts heated air into the living space through convection. A auger, grate or any other device distributes the pellets and a pan beneath collects any unburned ones 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 electric heaters. The electric components that drive their motorized components require a power source, which could be problematic during an power outage, though backup systems are in place like generators and batteries.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, but they need some maintenance in order to operate properly. Cleaning your stove and its exhaust vent regularly will prevent the buildup of harmful creosote. This could lead to a fire or an explosion that could damage your stove and/or house.
A pellet stove burns compressed natural wood pellets or other materials (like corn kernels, nutshells or small pieces of scrap wood). An auger powered by electricity will feed the fuel pellets from a tank into the burner, and into the combustion chamber. The thermostat you set controls the rate at which pellets are fed to the burner. This lets the fire remain roaring, or to lower the rate or even shut down according to the temperature you set. The ash will be collected in an empty ash tray underneath the burner. It is easily removed and then disposed.
Pellets are made from the byproducts of wood processing which would otherwise be thrown away. They are renewable resources and release significantly less particles into the air than traditional wood-burning stoves making them a cleaner burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens, and other harmful chemicals that are released from pellet stoves is less than the latest EPA certified wood stoves.
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 come with flue ports that open at the top or rear of the appliance. They are connected to an exhaust pipe that extends outside the home.
One disadvantage of pellet stoves is that you must purchase or store enough pellets to last through the winter season. Pellet stove owners typically use three tons of wood pellets each winter, at a cost of $200 per ton. These expenses increase over time however it's much cheaper than purchasing and hauling firewood to a traditional wood-burning fireplace or stove. It is recommended to purchase enough pellets to ensure your stove will be able to run through the winter's coldest months. Also, you'll require a location to keep the pellets (preferably dry and cool).
3. Reduce carbon footprint
Pellet stoves utilize renewable biomass fuels to generate heat, which reduces the need for fossil fuels that are depleted. This reduces carbon footprints as well as diversifying energy sources for homes.
Emissions from pellet stoves are significantly lower than those from woodstoves, even newer stoves that are EPA-certified. Emissions from pellet stoves are also significantly lower than those from gas furnaces. Pellets are made up of compressed sawdust, bark and other lumber waste. They can also be composed of different materials including corn, soybeans as well as nutshells, cherries pits and agricultural waste. When they are burned, they release less particulates (leading to respiratory problems and allergies) as well as carcinogens, carbon monoxide and the nitrous oxides.

The feed system is the major difference between a pellet stove and a wood stove. Pellet stoves have hoppers to hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate the room needs heating, the auger turns. The pellets are then put into the combustion chamber, where they burn to produce heat. The combustion chamber's air is then pumped through a heat exchanger that transfers heat to the blower. This process results in very low emissions and no creosote accumulation.
After the hopper is emptied, the ash is removed by a cyclone, and deposited in an ash container. The stove also contains fans to circulate the clean, heated air into the living space. The majority of pellet stoves require little maintenance and feature a large viewing area for you and your family to relax and enjoy the flames.
The main factor that influences emissions from stoves made of pellets is the quality of the pellets. The poor quality pellets emit more emissions. When choosing your pellets ensure that they are certified to meet certain standards and don't contain other ingredients, such as petroleum products or urea. Choose a company that offers a guarantee and will replace or repair parts in the event of a malfunction. Certain states provide homeowners with an incentive to pay taxes in the event that they decide to go even greener. This is a great opportunity to to offset the initial cost of this type of stove and make it more affordable to install.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves emit very little smoke or exhaust when compared to wood-burning fireplaces. They also utilize an electric fan to distribute the heat more evenly across the space. This feature is one of the reasons why pellet stoves require less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves require regular cleaning of chemicals and particulates to prevent their deterioration stoves can be cleaned with an electric vacuum cleaner.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves in a way that they are simple to set up, operate and maintain. They also make their appliances in a wide range of styles that will match the decor of your home. Some even include a programmable thermostat remote control, as well as WIFI apps that let you monitor and manage your stove from anywhere in the world.
Most pellet stoves come with a large fuel hopper that can accommodate between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then fed into the combustion chamber by an auger. The speed at which the pellets are delivered 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 such as oak and hickory, or softwood pellets. Some stoves will even make use of alternative biomass pellets like those made from switchgrass or corn which are an environmentally friendly option.
Pellet stoves emit less smoke and require less maintenance because they use more clean fuel than fireplaces that burn wood. They do not need chimneys, making them a better 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. This could include periodic cleaning and inspection of the ash or "clinker" as well as the fans and motors, depending on the model. Your appliance dealer can explain the correct procedures for your specific model and brand. They can also provide details regarding storage and safety, and assist you in finding the correct fuel for your stove.