10 Misconceptions Your Boss Has About Wood Pellet Stove
The Basics of a Wood Pellet Stove
A pellet stove makes use of wood pellets for heating. Pellets are purchased in a bag and deposited into a hopper. The hopper is controlled by an electronic thermostat. The stove also is equipped with a fan to blow the warm air into the room.
They can be used to warm almost every home. It is essential to consider the physical characteristics of your house, including the ceiling the height.
Efficiency
The efficiency of a stove is contingent on the quality of heating pellets. Premium-grade pellets contain less than 1 percent Ash, while lower-grade pellets may contain up to 6 percent Ash. The best pellets are made of recycled sawdust and other wood materials. This is why they are a green option for home heating. Furthermore, they don't cause creosote, which can cause chimney fires. The ash that is produced by pellet stoves is toxic for pets and children.
A wood pellet stove uses an auger to deliver the pellets to a combustion chamber where they are then burned to produce heat. Sensors monitor the temperature and pressure of the air. If the sensor determines that more fuel is needed, the auger feeds more pellets into the combustion chamber. The hot air then passes through a heat exchanger before being pumped into a blower, which disperses the warm air throughout your home through convection.
In addition to burning wood pellets, a pellet stove also uses electricity and fans. They can be vented via a direct vent system or through an external chimney or duct. Indirect vent systems tend to be utilized in newer homes with open floorplans while venting through a chimney is preferred in older homes with fireplaces.
Pellet stoves are an excellent alternative to traditional wood-burning stoves and have numerous advantages. They are more efficient in energy, require less maintenance, and have a lower carbon footprint. They also operate more quietly than traditional stoves. They are not as efficient, however, as gas stoves are.
Wood pellet stoves are available in both freestanding models and inserts to existing fireplaces. They can provide additional heat for an entire home or room and are ideal for open floor plans. They can also be utilized as the primary source of heat for smaller houses with smaller heating needs.
Electricity powers the internal mechanisms of wood pellet stoves including the auger, which feeds the air into the combustion chamber as well as the fan. Due to this, they are affected by power interruptions. They'll need an alternative heating solution in the event of a power outage. They also utilize the standard three-prong plug which means you'll need to make sure that the power outlet is in good shape prior to using it. Additionally, pellet stoves can produce a large amount of ash and clinker, which needs to be removed frequently. You can use a metal special vacuum cleaner to get rid of these materials.
Cost
A wood pellet stove is an excellent alternative to traditional fireplaces. They are less expensive to operate than oil or gas furnaces and provide greater flexibility in heating your home. There are however some upfront costs and ongoing costs to consider before investing in a pellet stove. The cost of purchasing and installing a pellet stove is determined by the size of the unit as well as its complexity and labor requirements, as well as your area's pricing for fuel and professional installation.
Wood pellet stoves are available in freestanding models, or as inserts that can be fitted in existing fireplaces. Both styles are stylish and offer a range of options for a wide variety of budgets. Freestanding pellet stoves generally cost between $1,000 and $5,000.
Fuel is the most expensive component of pellet stoves. You can expect to spend between $35 and $50 a month based on the heating needs of your home and the price of pellets in your area. A typical 40-pound bag of pellets burns for 24 hours and produce enough heat to warm a 1,000 square-foot space.
Pellet stoves use an auger that is mechanized to introduce pellets into the burner, which then ignites them and produces an efficient fire. The flames, as they travel through the heat exchanger generate warmth and hot circulating air inside your home via the use of a blower. A fan exhausts the combustion gases from your stove to maintain the temperature at a safe and comfortable level in your home.
You'll also have to pay for electricity to power the motorized hopper which feeds pellets to the stove, and the heater itself. The majority of pellet stoves require 360 to 460 watts to ignite and around 80-345 watts per hour to keep the fire going. If you live in an area prone to frequent power outages, it might be worth considering the addition of a backup generator, or an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) battery.
Remember that pellet stoves need regular maintenance to ensure they are operating properly. This includes vacuuming your ash pan on a regular basis and cleaning the flue at least every three to four months, and having a professional check the stove once a year. It is also recommended to put in a carbon monoxide detector near the stove, as this safety device can swiftly notify you of dangerous levels of CO within your home.
Maintenance
Wood pellet stoves are more convenient to use, however they require some care. It is essential to keep the stove clean to ensure safety and efficiency. Monitoring the temperature regularly of the room and altering the settings for heating is vital to ensure comfort and avoid overheating. Utilizing a thermometer to measure the temperature is helpful to accomplish this. Certain models have temperature control features, which permit you to determine the desired temperature of the room. This can help to avoid overheating or burning fuel.
Pellet stoves do not require a chimney to vent their exhaust. Instead, they require a fan to connect the heat-exchanger with a tube or pipe. This vent can be positioned through the roof or through the wall on the exterior side of your home. A professional installer can help determine which exhaust method is the best option for your home and stove type.
Pellet stoves also produce less ash, making them easier to maintain as opposed to traditional fireplaces or wood stoves. The amount of ash produced by your stove depends on how often you use it, the quality of pellets and the frequency with the frequency you use it. The frequency of deep cleaning can be reduced by regularly emptying the ashpan and cleaning the exhaust pipe. Ash can be reused for a variety of projects that include soil amendment, architectural materials, and seed germination.
A wood pellet stove could be a great choice for those looking to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, and the environmental harm associated with it. These stoves are a great option for those who are unable to afford the expense of replacing their heating system. Many stores that sell pellet stoves provide service contracts during the buying process, which includes annual inspections and an extensive cleaning.
While weekly cleaning is do-it yourself cleaning, the annual inspections and deep-cleaning should be left up to a professional. The professional will inspect the stove and complete an entire checklist of cleaning. The blower, drop tube, and exhaust path will be cleaned. the baffles are removed and cleaned. The ESP sensor and air passages will be cleaned. A maintenance appointment every year will help you save money by decreasing the need for repairs and replacement parts.

Installation
The installation of a pellet stove involves the use of a few components. First, a fireproof pad must be put in place where the stove will be set. The exhaust system is then connected. This includes an SS chimney liner which funnels the fumes out of the home. A vent cap will be required. The best vent covers are made from rust-resistant stainless steel that is high-temperature resistant and comes in a variety of colors.
Venting system is another essential component. It carries fine ash and water vapor outside. It is essential to install the system correctly to prevent leaks and to keep your home safe and clean. good pellet stoves to prevent this issue is to use only pipes that are specifically designed for pellet stoves and is marked as the type of stove.
Some manufacturers recommend the use of a stainless steel chimney liner with the proper size that extends across the length of the exhaust pipe in order to reduce pressure and guarantee proper drafting. These suggestions are essential because modern construction techniques create tightly sealed homes that could negatively affect draft.
Most wood stove dealers sell pre-packaged systems that include a stainless steel liner to the chimney and an air vent cap. It is best to employ an expert to install the system. They can also help you select the right size of stove for your home. They will visit your house and take into consideration the factors that affect your heating requirements, such as, space layout, and ceiling height. They will also provide recommendations on the amount of BTUs needed to heat your house.
Pellet stoves are typically sized by how many BTUs they generate per hour. As a rule, select one that has a BTU output of 5,000 for 200 square feet. However, this doesn't mean that one model is the most suitable for your home. Other factors, such as ceiling height and open floor plans will affect the amount of heat a particular stove will generate. Most dealers also have a range of stoves to satisfy different demands for heat output.