The Basics of a Wood Pellet Stove
A pellet stove is heated by wood pellets. Pellets are purchased in bags and dumped into a hopper controlled by a thermometer. The stove is equipped with an air-conditioner that blows warm air into the room.
They can be used to heat almost any home. However, it is important to take into consideration the physical features of your house, such as ceiling height.
Efficiency
The effectiveness of a pellet stove is dependent on the quality of the heating pellets that are used. The best pellets have less than one percent ash content While lower-grade pellets could have up to six percent of ash. The best pellets are made of recycled sawdust and other wood products. They are therefore a green choice for home heating. They also don't create creosote which can cause fires in chimneys. However, the ash generated by pellet stoves may be harmful to pets and children.
A wood pellet stove makes use of an auger to transport the pellets into a combustion chamber, where they are ignited to create heat. This process is controlled by sensors that measure the pressure and temperature of the air. The auger will feed more pellets to the combustion chamber if the sensor indicates that the need for more fuel. The hot air then passes through a heat exchanger and into an air blower, which spreads the warm air throughout your living space through convection.
A pellet stove makes use of electricity and fans in addition to burning wood. They can be vented through direct vent systems or via an external chimney or duct. Indirect vent systems are usually employed in new houses with open floor plans while venting through a chimney is preferred for older homes that have fireplaces that are already in place.
Pellet stoves have many advantages over traditional wood-burning fireplaces. They are more efficient in energy and require less maintenance and have a smaller carbon footprint. They also are quieter than traditional stoves. They are not as efficient, however, as gas stoves.
Wood pellet stoves are available in freestanding models as well as inserts that fit into existing fireplaces. They can provide additional heat for a room or entire house and are perfect for open floor plans. They can also be used to heat smaller homes with lower heating requirements.
Electricity powers the internal mechanisms of wood pellet stoves, including the auger, which feeds the air into the combustion chamber and the fan. Due to this, they could be affected by power outages. They will need an alternative heating solution in the case of a power outage. They also utilize a standard three-prong plug, so you'll need to ensure that the power outlet is in good working order prior to using it. Pellet stoves also generate a lot of clinker and ash, which must be cleaned regularly. You can employ a metal specialized vacuum cleaner to remove these substances.
Cost
A wood pellet stove is a great alternative to traditional fireplaces. They are less expensive than gas or oil heaters and provide greater flexibility in heating your home. There are however ducted pellet stove and ongoing costs to take into consideration before purchasing a pellet stove. The cost of purchasing and install a pellet stove will depend on the size of the unit, its complexity, and the demands for labor along with the price of fuel and the professional installation in your area.
Wood pellet stoves can be bought as freestanding models, or as inserts to be inserted into existing fireplaces. Both models have advantages and are able to be adapted to a variety of budgets as well as pellet stoves that are freestanding typically costing between $1,000 and $5,000.
The primary expense of a pellet stove is the fuel used to operate it. You will spend about $35-$50 per month for pellets, based on your heating requirements and the cost of local pellets. A bag of pellets that weighs 40 pounds will burn for 24 hour and generate enough heat to warm 1000 square feet of space.
Pellet stoves are powered by a mechanized screw-auger that feeds pellets into the burner. The pellets are ignited, and they create a fire. The flames, as they travel across the heat exchanger, produce warmth and hot air inside your home via the use of a blower. A fan exhausts the combustion gases from your stove to maintain a comfortable and safe temperature inside your home.
You'll also have to pay for electricity to charge the motorized hopper that is used to feed pellets into the stove and the heater itself. Most pellet stoves need 360 to 460 Watts of electricity to start the fire and require between 80 and 345 watts per hour to keep the fire. If you reside in an area that is prone to frequent power outages, it might be worthwhile to consider adding a backup generator or Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) battery.
Keep in mind that pellet stoves require regular maintenance to ensure they are working properly. This includes cleaning your ash pan a regular basis and cleaning the flue at least every three to four month and having a professional check the stove every year. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm close to the stove is also recommended. This safety device will warn you of dangerous CO levels in your home.
Maintenance
Wood pellet stoves are more convenient to use, however they require some care. Keeping the stove clean is crucial for safety and efficiency. Monitoring the temperature of the room and adjusting the heating settings is crucial for maximizing comfort and avoiding overheating. Utilizing a thermometer to measure the temperature is useful to accomplish this. Some models have temperature control features that allow you to define a specific temperature for your room. This helps you avoid overheating and waste of fuel.
Pellet stoves do not require chimneys to vent their exhaust. Instead, they only require a fan that connects the heat exchanger to the help of a pipe or tube. This vent can be positioned through the roof or through a wall on an exterior side of your home. A professional installer can help decide which method of exhaust is the best option for your stove and home type.
Pellet stoves produce less as ash than wood stoves and traditional fireplaces, making them easier and more convenient to maintain. The amount of ash produced is contingent on the quality of the pellets as well as how often you use the stove. The frequency of deep cleaning can be lowered by regularly emptying the ashpan and cleaning the exhaust pipe. The ash can be repurposed to be used in a variety projects, including soil amendment, architectural materials and seed germination.
A wood pellet stove is a great option for those who want to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels as well as the environmental harm. They are a great option for those who are unable to afford the expense of replacing their heating system. Many stores that sell pellets stoves provide service agreements when purchasing. These include annual inspections and a thorough cleaning.
While a weekly cleaning of a pellet stove is a do-it-yourself project, yearly inspections and deep cleaning should be left to an experienced professional. The expert will conduct an inspection of the stove and will complete a checklist of cleaning. The blower will be cleaned, as well as the exhaust pipe and drop tube path. The baffles will also be removed and cleaned. The ESP sensor, air passages and ESP sensor will also be cleaned. You can save money with an annual maintenance appointment by reducing the need for repairs and replacement parts.
Installation
The installation of a pellet stove requires a few different components. The first step is to put in a fireproof mat where the stove will be. Then the exhaust system needs to be connected. This will require an SS chimney liner which funnels the fumes out of the house. A vent cap is required. The most effective vent covers are made of rust-resistant stainless steel which is high-temperature resistant and comes in many colors.
Another necessary component is the venting system which transports combustion by-products, fine ash, and water vapor to the outside. The correct installation of this system is essential to avoid leaks and to keep your home clean and safe. One of the best ways to avoid this issue is to only use pipes that are specifically made for pellet stoves and is marked as the type of stove.
Some manufacturers recommend using a properly sized chimney liner made of stainless steel that extends the length of the exhaust pipe to ensure proper drafting and to reduce the pressure inside the home. These suggestions are essential because modern building techniques can create homes that are tightly sealed, which can negatively impact the draft.
You can purchase an already-packaged exhaust system made up of the chimney liner made of stainless steel and vent cap from many wood stove dealers. It is recommended to hire an expert to install the system. These professionals can also assist you in selecting the best size of stove for your home. They will visit your home and take into consideration factors like your heating needs, space layout, and ceiling height. They will also provide recommendations on the amount of BTUs needed to heat your home.
Pellet stoves can be measured based on how many BTUs per hour they generate. In general you should select a stove that produces about 5,000 BTUs per 200 square feet of living space. However, this doesn't mean that one model is the best for your home. Other factors, like ceiling height and open floor plans will affect the amount of heat a particular stove will generate. Most dealers also have a range of models to meet varying demands for heat output.