What's Holding Back This Wood Pellet Stove Industry?
The Basics of a Wood Pellet Stove A pellet stove is heated by wood pellets. Pellets are bought by the bag and deposited into a hopper that is controlled by an electronic thermostat. The stove is equipped with an air-conditioner that blows warm air into the room. They can be used to heat nearly any house. It's important to consider the physical characteristics of your home, such as the ceiling height. Efficiency The effectiveness of a stove made from pellets is dependent on the quality of the heating pellets that are used. The best pellets have less than one percent ash content and lower-grade pellets may contain up to six percent of ash. High-quality pellets are made from recycled sawdust and other wood products. They are therefore a green choice for home heating. Additionally, they don't produce creosote, which can cause chimney fires. However, the ash produced by pellet stoves could be toxic to pets and children. A wood pellet stove uses an auger that is mechanized to transport pellets into a combustion chamber where they are burned to produce heat. Sensors monitor air pressure and temperature. The auger is able to feed more pellets to the combustion chamber when the sensor indicates that it is necessary to add fuel. The hot air is transported through a heat exchanger to a blower, which distributes it throughout your home by convection. In addition to burning wood pellets, pellet stoves also make use of fans and electricity. They can be vented either through a direct vent system or via an external chimney or duct. Direct vent systems are generally utilized in new homes with open floor plans, while venting through a chimney is preferred for older homes that have existing fireplaces. Pellet stoves are a fantastic alternative to traditional wood-burning stoves and they have many benefits. They are more energy efficient and require less maintenance 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 can be found in freestanding models as well as inserts that fit into existing fireplaces. They can be used to heat a room, or even a whole home. They are ideal for open floor designs. In addition, they can be used as the primary source of heat for smaller homes with less heating requirements. Electricity powers the internal mechanisms of wood pellet stoves including the auger that feeds the air into the combustion chamber and the fan. Due to this, they are vulnerable to power outages and require an alternative heating source in the event of power outages. The plug is an ordinary 3-prong plug. You'll also need to make sure that the outlet is in good working order before you use it. Pellet stoves also produce lots of clinker and ash that must be cleaned regularly. You can use a metal specialized vacuum cleaner to remove these materials. Cost A wood pellet stove is a great alternative to traditional fireplaces. They are more cost-effective than gas or oil heaters and provide greater flexibility in heating your home. Before you invest in an appliance, it is important to take into consideration the upfront costs as well as ongoing costs. pellet stoves for sale fireplacesandstove.com of purchasing and install a pellet stove depends on the size of the unit, its complexity, and the labor requirements of the stove along with the cost of fuel and professional installation in your region. Wood pellet stoves can be bought as freestanding models or as inserts to be inserted into existing fireplaces. Both styles are attractive and provide a variety of options to suit a broad range of budgets. Freestanding pellet stoves typically cost between $1,000 and $5,000. Fuel is the main cost of pellet stoves. You can expect to pay between $35 and $50 per month depending on the heating requirements of your home and the price of pellets in your region. A bag of pellets weighing 40 pounds can burn for 24 hour and generate enough heat to warm 1,000 square feet of space. Pellet stoves utilize a mechanized screw auger to introduce pellets into the burner, which ignites them and creates an efficient fire. The flames, when they move across the heat exchanger create warmth and hot circulating air inside your home through the blower. An exhaust fan simultaneously expels combustion gases from the stove, making sure your home is at a safe and comfortable temperature. You'll also have to pay for the electricity used to power the motorized feeder which feeds the pellets into the stove and the heater. The majority of pellet stoves require between 360 to 460 Watts of power to ignite and consume between 80 and 345 Watts per hour to sustain the fire. If you live in a place prone to frequent outages of power, it could be worth adding an emergency generator or battery. Remember that pellet stoves need regular maintenance to ensure that they are operating properly. This includes vacuuming the ash pan regularly, cleaning the flue as well as the surrounding vents every three to four months, and obtaining a an inspection from a professional 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, but they require some care. Cleaning the stove is critical for efficiency and safety. Monitoring the temperature regularly of the room and adjusting the heating settings is crucial to ensure comfort and avoid overheating. A thermometer is a great tool to check the temperature. Some models have temperature control features that let you set a particular room temperature. This can help to avoid overheating or burning fuel. While many fireplaces and wood stoves require a chimney system to vent their exhaust, pellet stoves typically require only a blower which connects the heat exchanger with an exhaust tube or pipe. This vent can run through your roof or through the side walls of your home. A professional installer can assist you to decide which method of exhaust is the best option for your stove and home type. Pellet stoves also produce less ash, making them less maintenance-intensive than traditional fireplaces or wood stoves. The amount of ash produced depends on the quality of the pellets, and also how often you use the stove. Regularly emptying the pan of ash and cleaning the exhaust pipe will reduce the frequency of deep cleaning. The ash can be used for different projects, including soil amendment, architectural material or seed germination. A wood pellet stove is an excellent alternative for those looking to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and the resulting environmental damage. They are also a great alternative for those who are unable to afford to replace their current heating system. Many stores that sell pellet stoves offer service agreements during the purchase process. They include annual inspections and a thorough cleaning. While a weekly cleaning of a pellet stove is an easy DIY project, annual inspections and deep cleaning should be left to a qualified professional. The professional will inspect the stove and carry out a complete cleaning checklist. The blower will be cleaned along with the exhaust pipe and drop tube path. The baffles will also be removed and cleaned. The ESP sensor and air passageways will also be cleaned. You can save money with annual maintenance appointments by reducing the need for repairs and replacement parts. Installation The installation of a pellet stove requires several components. The first step is to set up a fireproof mat where the stove will go. The exhaust system is then connected. This will include a stainless-steel chimney liner which funnels fumes away from your home. It will also require the use of a vent cap. The most effective vent caps are made of rust-resistant, high-temperature stainless steel and are available in a variety of colors. Another necessary element is the venting system which carries combustion by-products, fine ash and water vapor the outside. It is essential to prevent leaks and to keep your home safe and clean. To avoid problems like this it is recommended to use only piping labeled for pellet stoves. Certain manufacturers recommend the use of a stainless steel chimney liner with the proper size that extends across the length of the exhaust pipe to lower pressure and ensure proper drafting. These guidelines are important due to the fact that modern building techniques create tightly sealed homes which can negatively affect draft. You can purchase an already-packaged exhaust system made up of a stainless steel chimney liner and vent cap at most wood stove retailers. However, it is recommended to get a professional help with installation. They can also help you select the right size of stove for your home. They will visit your home and take into consideration the factors that affect your heating requirements, such as, the layout of your room, and ceiling height. They will also offer suggestions on the number of BTUs needed to heat your house. Pellet stoves can be sized based on how many BTUs per hour they produce. In general, you should select a stove that has a BTU output of 5,000 for 200 square feet. However, this doesn't mean that a particular model is the best choice for your home. Other factors, including ceiling height and open floor plans will influence how much heat a particular stove is able to generate. In addition, most dealers offer a range of stoves to meet varying heat output requirements.