How To Become A Prosperous Pellet Stove Furnace Entrepreneur Even If You're Not Business-Savvy
Pellet Stove Furnace
Pellet stoves can be used as a second heat source or, if you have 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 into the combustion chamber where they are burned to create heat. Sensors detect the fire and alter the rate of operation to maintain the desired temperature of the room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Pellet stoves use renewable, non-toxic fuel that is made from compressed sawdust and other materials. They are typically put in landfills, but they can be used to create a clean and efficient source of heat. They help homeowners reduce their energy consumption, and therefore greenhouse gas emissions. Many homeowners who own pellet stoves have reported that they've recouped their initial investment within just a few years through lower heating bills.
Pellets are highly compressed and are more dense than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote than traditional fireplaces that burn wood. They are also stored in plastic bags to keep out moisture and require less frequent cleaning.
Like other heating systems pellet stoves need to be properly sized and vented. A qualified technician can assess your venting requirements and space to ensure the most efficient results.
When the hearth is installed, it is constructed to the right size, and the vent is inserted through a pre-cut hole the siding of your home. The vent may be installed through a sidewall or roof depending on your preference and the local laws.
Once the vent and hearth are finished the pellet stove can be plugged in. Certain manufacturers provide a remote control that makes starting and maintaining the fire easy, while others have additional sensors that monitor combustion, airflow and flue temperatures, as well as pressure. If the system determines that it needs more pellets or less, it will signal to the auger to speed up or slow it down according to the need.
All stoves have a storage hopper that holds from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets until required. The size of the hopper will determine the frequency at which you have to refill your stove. Larger hoppers allow for longer periods before refills is needed. A grille draws air out of the room, passes it through the heat exchanger and then blows heated air through the living space through convection. A grate, auger or other device distributes the pellets and a pan below is used to collect any unburned ones as well as the combustion leftovers.
Pellet stoves are more efficient in energy use than wood-burning stoves, but they are not as efficient as natural gas or electric furnaces. The electric components that drive their motorized components require a power source and could pose a problem during a power outage, though backup systems are available for batteries and generators.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves are incredibly efficient, however, like any other major heating appliance, they require a bit of maintenance to ensure they are operating 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 the stove and/or your home.
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 materials. An electric auger will feed the fuel pellets from a tank into the burner, and into the combustion chamber. The thermostat you choose controls the speed at which pellets are fed to the burner. This allows the fire to remain roaring, or to lower the rate and even go out in accordance with the temperature you set. When the fire goes out the ash is thrown into an empty ash tin beneath the burner, which can be easily removed and disposed of.
Pellets are made from the waste products from lumber processing which would otherwise be discarded. They are a renewable resource and emit far less particulates into the air than traditional wood-burning stoves, making them a cleaner burning heat source. The amount of carcinogens, carbon monoxide and other harmful chemicals released from pellet stoves are also significantly lower than the more modern EPA certified wood stoves.
Due to the low emissions, these appliances are not required to be vented through chimneys like traditional wood stoves but should be properly vented through a wall or an external structure. Pellet stoves have flue ports on the front or back of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe that extends outside the home.
A pellet stove has one drawback that you must purchase or store enough fuel pellets for the entire winter time. On average, homeowners of a pellet stove consume three tons of pellets throughout the course of the winter, at a cost of $200 for each ton. These costs add up over the years, but it is less expensive than buying and hauling firewood for an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace or stove. Be sure to purchase enough pellets to ensure your stove can function throughout the coldest winter months and that you have the right space to store the pellets (preferably dry, cool and off the ground).
3. Reduce Carbon Footprint
Pellet stoves generate heat using renewable biomass fuel, reducing reliance on finite fossils fuels. This reduces the carbon footprint and also helps diversify energy sources in homes.
Even the most modern woodstoves that are EPA certified emit considerably less than pellet stoves. The emissions of pellet stoves are also lower than those from gas furnaces. Pellets are made of compressed sawdust, bark, and other wood wastes. They may also contain 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), carcinogens, carbon monoxide, and the nitrous oxides.
The main difference between a wood stove and a pellet stove is the feed system. Pellet stoves are equipped with hoppers that hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate that the room requires heating, the auger is turned and the pellets are pumped into the combustion chamber where they burn and produce heat. The combustion chamber's air is then pumped through a heat exchanger that transfers heat to the blower. This process creates very low emissions, and creosote does not created.
After the hopper has been empty, the ash gets removed using a cyclone and deposited in an ash container. The stove also features fans to circulate the fresh, heated air throughout the living area. Most pellet stoves require minimal maintenance and feature a large viewing space for you and your family to enjoy the flames.
The quality of pellets is the main element that influences the emissions of pellet stoves. Poor-quality pellets produce more emissions. When selecting your pellets, ensure that they are certified to meet certain standards and don't contain other ingredients, such as petroleum products or urea. Find a business that offers a guarantee and will replace or repair parts in the event of an issue. Some states offer homeowners an incentive to pay taxes in the event that they decide to go even greener. This is a great opportunity to offset the initial costs of this type of stove and make installation more affordable.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves emit very little smoke and emissions when compared to wood burning fireplaces. They also use an electric fan to distribute the heat more evenly throughout the space. This is one of the reasons pellet stoves require less maintenance than traditional wood stoves. While wood stoves need to be regularly cleaned of dust and chemicals pellet stoves need a specialized metal vacuum cleaner for routine cleaning.
Many manufacturers have designed their stoves so that they are easy to install and operate as well as maintain. The stoves are available in various styles that are designed to match the interior decor of your home. Some include a programmable thermostat and remote control as well as a WIFI apps that let you monitor and manage your stove from anywhere in the world.
Most pellet stoves have a large fuel hopper that can contain between 35 and 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then pumped into the combustion chamber by an auger. The output of heat and the degree to which the fire is will depend on the speed at which the pellets are fed into the burner. The hopper can be filled with hardwood pellets (from dense wood species such as oak and hickory) or softwood pellets (from pine and fir). Many stoves can burn biomass pellets made from switchgrass and corn. best pellet stove inserts is a green option.
Pellet stoves produce less smoke and require less maintenance due to the fact that they use a cleaner fuel than wood-burning fireplaces. They also do not require a chimney, making them a better choice for new construction or retrofits.
Pellet stoves do not require regular cleaning of creosote or other chemical like wood stoves. They require only periodic inspections to ensure proper operation and maintenance. This could include periodic cleaning and inspection of the ash or "clinker" as well as the motors and fans, depending on the model. Your appliance dealer will be able to explain the proper procedure for your particular brand and model. He can also provide information regarding storage and safety, and assist you in locating the appropriate fuel for your stove.