Pellet Stove Furnace

Pellet stoves can be used as a secondary heat source or, if you have proper venting, as a primary heating option. These stoves are available in freestanding models as well as fireplace inserts. They can provide the appearance of an old-fashioned wood-burning fire.


The auger moves the pellets out of the hopper to the combustion chamber which is where they burn and generate heat. Sensors detect the fire and alter the rate of operation to maintain your desired temperature in the room.

1. Energy Efficiency

Pellet stoves burn a renewable, non-toxic fuel made of compressed sawdust, bark, wood chips and other materials normally placed in landfills but which can be turned into an efficient and clean source of heating. They help homeowners reduce their energy usage, and consequently greenhouse gas emissions. Many owners of pellet stoves say they have recouped their initial investment in just several years with lower heating costs.

Pellets are stronger and more compressed than natural wood, making them more efficient to burn. They also produce less creosote than traditional fireplaces that burn wood. They are also packaged in plastic bags that are sealed to keep out moisture, and require less frequent cleaning.

Like other heating systems, pellet stoves must be properly measured and vented. A skilled technician will be able to assess your venting requirements and space requirements in order to get the most efficient results.

In the process of installation, the hearth is constructed to fit the space and the vent is installed through a pre-cut hole in the siding of your home. The vent can be installed on the side wall or the roof, based on your preference and the local regulations.

After the vent and hearth are completed the pellet stove can be connected. Certain manufacturers offer a remote control to make it simple to begin and maintain the fire, while others offer additional sensors that monitor airflow and combustion as well as flue temperatures and pressure. When the system detects it requires more or less pellets, it tells the auger to speed up or slow down according to the situation.

All stoves have a hopper for storage that holds from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets until required. Hopper capacities determine the frequency at which the stove has to be filled, with larger hoppers allowing for longer intervals between refills. A grille draws air out of the room, then passes it through the heat exchanger and blows heated air through the living space via convection. A grate or auger distributes the pellets, while the pan beneath will collect any unburnt ones along with combustion residue.

Pellet stoves are more energy-efficient than wood-burning models, but aren't as efficient as natural gas or electric furnaces. Electric components that drive motorized parts of stoves require electricity. This could cause an issue in the event of power failure, although backup systems such as generators and batteries are available.

2. Low Maintenance

Pellet stoves are extremely efficient, but they require some attention to operate properly. Cleaning your stove's exhaust vents and stove will prevent the accumulation of harmful creosote that can cause an explosion, fire, or damage to your home or stove.

A pellet stove burns natural wood pellets or other materials (like nutshells, corn kernels or small pieces of wood scraps). An electric auger will feed the pellets from a fuel tank into the burner, and into the combustion chamber. The thermostat you choose controls the rate at which pellets are fed to the burner. This allows the fire to keep roaring or lower or even shut down according to the temperature you set. When the fire is gone the ash is thrown into an empty ash tray beneath the burner that can be easily removed and disposed of.

Pellets are created from byproducts of lumber processing which would otherwise be thrown away. They are a renewable resource and emit significantly less particles into the air than traditional wood-burning stoves making them a cleaner burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens and other harmful chemicals released by pellet stoves is much lower than those with modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified.

They are not required to be vented through a chimney, like is the case with traditional wood stoves. Instead, they must be vented through a wall or other structure outside. Pellet stoves have flue ports that open on the rear or top of the appliance. They are connected to an exhaust pipe that extends outside of the home.

A pellet stove has one disadvantage it requires you to purchase or store enough fuel pellets to last for the entire winter season. Pellet stove owners typically consume three tons of wood pellets each winter, for a price of $200 per ton. The costs can will increase over time, but it is cheaper than purchasing and hauling firewood to an old-fashioned wood-burning fireplace or stove. You should buy enough pellets to ensure that your stove will run throughout the coldest winter months. Also, you need to have a place to keep the pellets (preferably cool and dry).

3. Reduce Carbon Footprint

Pellet stoves make use of renewable biomass fuels to generate heat, which reduces the need for fossil fuels that are depleted. This helps reduce the carbon footprint and also helps diversify the energy sources used in homes.

The emissions from pellet stoves are much lower than those from woodstoves, even newer stoves that are EPA-certified. The emissions of pellet stoves are also lower than those of gas furnaces. Pellets are made from wood, sawdust and other wood wastes. They can also comprise a variety of other materials including corn, soybeans as well as nutshells, cherries pits and agricultural waste. When they are burned, they emit less particles, which can cause respiratory issues and allergies as well as carcinogens and nitrous oxide.

The feed system is the main difference between pellet stoves and wood stove. Pellet stoves have hoppers to hold the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors indicate that the room is in need of heating, the furnace turns and the pellets are pumped into the combustion chamber where they are burned and generate heat. The air from the combustion chamber flows through a heat exchanger, which transmits the heat to the blower and then out into the room. This process results in very low emissions and no creosote accumulation.

After the hopper has been empty, the ash gets removed by a cyclone and deposited in an ash container. The stove is fitted with an air-flow system that circulates the clean, heated air throughout the room. Most pellet stoves are designed to run with minimal maintenance and come with a large view window that allows you and your family to take in the flames.

The most significant factor affecting pellet stove emissions is the quality of the pellets. pellet stoves cheap fireplacesandstove emit more emissions. When choosing your pellets make sure they're certified to meet specific standards and don't contain other ingredients such as petroleum products or urea. Choose a company that offers a guarantee and will replace or repair parts in the event of a malfunction. If you're looking for an even greener approach, some states allow homeowners to get a tax credit when installing pellet stoves. This is a great option to offset the initial costs of this type of stove and make installation more affordable.

4. Reduced Noise

Pellet stoves generate very little smoke and exhaust when compared to wood-burning fireplaces. A fan is employed to spread heat more evenly across the room. This feature is one reason why pellet stoves require less maintenance than wood stoves. While wood stoves require regular cleaning of particulates and chemicals to prevent deterioration, pellet stoves can be cleaned using a metal vacuum cleaner.

Many manufacturers have designed their stoves so that they are easy to set up and operate as well as maintain. They also design their appliances in a variety of styles that can be matched to your home's decor. Some models come with a WIFI app, programmable thermostat and remote control.

The majority of pellet stoves have a large fuel hopper which can hold anywhere from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets. The pellets are then delivered to the combustion chamber through an auger. The speed at which pellets are fed to the burner determines how hot the fire is and the heat output. 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 even make use of alternative biomass pellets such as those made from corn or switchgrass that can be an environmentally friendly option.

Since pellet stoves burn a clean fuel, they generate less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces and require less maintenance. They don't require chimneys, making them the best choice for retrofits or new construction.

Pellet stoves don't require regular cleaning of creosote or other chemical like wood stoves. They require only periodic inspections to ensure their proper operation and maintenance. Based on the model, this may include a regular inspection and cleaning of the accumulation of the ash or "clinker," as well as the motor and fan. The dealer of your appliance can explain the proper procedures for your specific model and brand. He can also assist you to identify the right fuel for your stove, and give details on storage and safety.