The Basics of a Wood Pellet Stove
A pellet stove is heated with wood pellets. Pellets are purchased by the bag and then poured into a hopper. The hopper is controlled by an electronic thermostat. The stove has a fan which blows warm air into the room.
Small pellet stoves can be used to warm almost every home. However, it is important to consider the physical characteristics of your home, including ceiling height.
Efficiency
The effectiveness of a stove made from pellets depends on the quality of the heating pellets used. Premium-grade pellets contain less than one percent ash content While lower-grade pellets could contain up to six percent of ash. The best pellets are made from recycled wood and sawdust. As a result, they are a green choice for home heating. Moreover, they don't create creosote, which can cause chimney fires. The ash that is produced by stoves made of pellets can be toxic for pets and children.
A wood pellet stove uses an auger to transport the pellets to a chamber, where they are burned to produce heat. This process is controlled by sensors that monitor air temperature and pressure. When the sensor signals that fuel is required, the auger feeds more pellets into the combustion chamber. The hot air then passes through a heat exchanger, and into an air blower, which spreads the warm air throughout your home via convection.
In addition to burning wood pellets pellet stoves also make use of electricity and fans. The pellet stove can be vented through a direct-vent system or via an external chimney or vent. Direct vent systems are more likely to be utilized in newer homes with open floorplans while venting via a chimney is preferred in older homes with fireplaces.
Pellet stoves have numerous advantages over traditional fireplaces that burn wood. They are more efficient, require less upkeep and have a smaller carbon footprint. They are also quieter than conventional stoves. They are not as efficient, however, as gas stoves.
Wood pellet stoves are offered in freestanding models as well as inserts that fit into existing fireplaces. They can be used to heat a room, or even a whole house. They are ideal for open floor designs. They can also be used to heat smaller homes with lower heating requirements.
Wood pellet stoves run on electricity to run their internal mechanisms, such as the auger and the fan that pushes air through the combustion chamber. Because of this, they can be affected by power outages. They'll require an alternative heating option in the event of a power loss. The plug is an ordinary 3-prong plug. You'll also need to ensure that the outlet is in good order before you use it. Pellet stoves also produce lots of clinker and ash that must be regularly removed. You can use a special vacuum cleaner to get rid of these materials.
Cost
A wood pellet stove is an excellent alternative to traditional fireplaces. They are cheaper than oil or gas heaters and offer greater flexibility in heating your home. Before you invest in a stove, you should consider the upfront costs and ongoing costs. The cost of purchasing and installing a pellet stove is influenced by the size of the stove and its complexity, as well as the labor requirements, as the local pricing for fuel and professional installation.
Wood pellet stoves can be purchased as freestanding models or as inserts that can be inserted into existing fireplaces. Both models have advantages and are able to be adapted to a variety of budgets, with freestanding pellet stoves typically costing between $1,000 and $5,000.
The primary expense of pellet stoves is the fuel used to run it. You will spend about $35-$50 per month on pellets, based on your heating needs and the local price of pellets. A typical bag of 40 pounds of pellets can burn for 24 hours and produces enough heat to warm up a 1,000-square-foot space.
Pellet stoves employ an auger that is mechanized to deliver pellets into the burner, which then ignites them and produces an efficient fire. When the flames are moving across a heat exchanger, they produce warm air and hot that is circulated through your living space through a blower system. A fan ejects the combustion gases from your stove, ensuring the temperature at a safe and comfortable level in your home.
You will also need to pay for the electricity used to power the motorized feeder that will feed the pellets to the stove and heater. The majority of pellet stoves require 360 to 460 watts of power for ignition, and 80 to 345 watts per hour to keep the fire going. If you live in a place that is prone to frequent interruptions of power, it may be worthwhile to add a backup battery or generator.
Keep in mind that pellet stoves require regular maintenance to ensure they are working properly. This means vacuuming the ash pan regularly, cleaning the flue and surrounding vents every three to four months, and having a an inspection by a professional once a year. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm near the stove is also suggested. This safety device will alert you to dangerous CO levels in your home.
Maintenance
While wood pellet stoves are regarded as simpler to use than fireplaces that burn wood, they still require some maintenance. Keeping the stove clean is essential for efficiency and safety. To ensure comfort and avoid overheating, its crucial to constantly keep track of the temperature in the room and adjust the heating settings. A thermometer is helpful to check the temperature. Some models come with temperature control features that allow you to set the desired room temperature. This will help you avoid overheating and wasting fuel.
While many wood stoves and fireplaces require a chimney to vent their exhaust, pellet stoves typically require a blower that connects the heat exchanger to an exhaust tube or pipe. The vent can be run through your roof or the side walls of your home. A professional installer can help you determine the best exhaust method for your home's layout and stove type.
Pellet stoves also produce little ash, making them easier to maintain as opposed to traditional fireplaces or wood stoves. The amount of ash produced depends on the quality of the pellets as well as the frequency 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 for a variety of projects, including soil amendment, architectural materials and seed germination.
A wood pellet stove could be a great option for those who want to cut down on their dependency on fossil fuels, as well as the environmental damage that comes with it. These stoves are a great option for those who can't afford to replace their heating system. Many stores that sell pellet stoves provide service agreements when purchasing. They include annual inspections and a thorough cleaning.
While the every week cleaning of a pellet stove is a do-it-yourself project, yearly inspections and deep cleaning should be left to a qualified professional. The professional will conduct an inspection of the stove and complete a cleaning checklist. The blower, drop tube and exhaust path will be cleaned, as well as the baffles will be cleaned and removed. The ESP sensor and air passageways will also be cleaned. A yearly maintenance appointment will save you money by cutting down on repairs and replacement parts.
Installation
The installation of a pellet stove requires several different parts. The first step is to put in a fireproof mat where the stove will go. Then, tiny pellet stove must be connected. This includes a stainless-steel chimney liner that directs fumes away from the home. Vent caps are required. The best vent covers are made of rust-resistant stainless steel which is high-temperature resistant and comes in a variety of colors.
Another necessary element is the venting system which transports combustion by-products, fine ash, and water vapor to the outside. It is crucial to install the system correctly to avoid leaks and keep your home clean and safe. A good way to prevent these issues is to use only pipes that are specifically made for pellet stoves and is marked as such.
Certain manufacturers recommend the use of the chimney liner made of stainless steel with the correct dimension that runs along the length of the exhaust pipe in order to lower pressure and ensure proper draft. These recommendations are necessary due to the fact that modern construction techniques create homes that are sealed that could negatively affect draft.
You can purchase a pre-packaged exhaust system made up of a stainless steel chimney liner and vent cap at most wood stove dealers. However, it is better to work with a professional for installation. These experts can help you choose the right size stove for your home. They will visit your house and consider aspects like your heating requirements, room layout, and ceiling height. They will also offer suggestions on the BTUs (British Thermal Units) required to heat your home.
Pellet stoves are typically sized by how many BTUs they can produce in an hour. As a general rule, you should choose one that can produce around 5,000 BTUs per 200 square feet of living space. This does not mean that one model is ideal for your home. Other factors, such as ceiling height and open floor plans, will affect the amount of heat a particular stove can generate. Many dealers also have a range of stoves to meet different heat output needs.