Pellet stoves why

According to the Department of Energy, they are the cleanest form of residential heating that uses solid fuel. You can use a pellet stove to maximize your existing home heating system, or you can use it as your sole heat source. When choosing your pellet stove, always consider the size and layout of your home and size your stove accordingly.

If your stove is too big, you risk wasting fuel. In some cases, you may want more than one pellet stove for optimal comfort. You also need to be mindful of where you install your stove in a room and work with a professional installer to choose the best location for maximum efficiency. Pellet stoves are simple to use because their design is straightforward. Every pellet stove utilizes the same basic components, including a hopper, pellet feeding system, burn and ash pots and a blower and exhaust system.

Some pellet stoves have built-in control systems, while others require manual operation. Each part of a pellet stove works together to burn and distribute heat from wood pellets. This is how it works:. With correct maintenance , a pellet stove is a worthwhile investment for your home.

These do not have a blower. Their flames have a more natural appearance. They are very quiet and consume less electricity. Nevertheless, they should ideally be installed in a central position and not against a wall. This is to radiate in all directions and to better circulate the air throughout the whole room in a natural way as opposed to blasting it in a particular direction.

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What are the benefits and disadvantages of a pellet stove? What are the advantages of pellet stoves? Cost-effective, when used for supplementary heating Pellet stoves are ideal for providing supplementary heating between seasons. A cost-effective fuel Pellet prices have been remarkably stable over the past decade, while all other energy sources fluctuate sharply with the market.

IThe price of pellets remained cheaper than that of other fuels for a long time. But with the health crisis, the price of conventional energy has collapsed, and pellets have become more expensive per kWh than gas or fuel oil. Two tonnes of pellets contain as much energy as about 1 tonne of fuel oil or 1 m 3 of gas.

You will therefore consume twice as much, by weight. Don't miss our new tips Subscribe to our newsletter and stay informed about energyfacts. Your email address: We promise we will only use your data to send you our newsletter as stated in our privacy policy.

Related questions How to switch from natural gas to renewable heating? Pellets have a low moisture content, 5 to 10 percent, compared with 20 percent for seasoned firewood. In some regions, you may find pellets made of switchgrass or cornstalks. Corn kernels can also be used in lieu of pellets. If the whir of the fans or the hum of the auger motor bothers you, find another model.

Performance is affected by your home's layout, insulation, and regional climate, but generally 5, Btus of fire power will heat square feet.

For a precise match for your space, have a dealer visit your home and recommend a model. Just keep in mind that the warmth from your stove will be concentrated in rooms closest to where it's installed. If used for supplemental heat, one trick is to put the stove near a furnace return vent and run the furnace fan to circulate the warm air throughout your home.

A ceiling fan with its blades turning in reverse can also help distribute warmed air. The time it takes for the stove to pay itself off depends on your current heating fuel. Freestanding pellet stoves, such as this Harman XXV model, have a minimal footprint in a room.

They can typically be placed 1 to 3 inches from the back wall and 6 to 7 inches from sidewalls. Because of the heat they generate, pellet stoves should be at least 36 inches from furniture and draperies and placed out of the main foot-traffic areas, especially in households with small children. The exhaust pipe, which can go straight out an exterior wall or up through the roof or chimney, must be tightly sealed to prevent flue gases from entering the home.

A second intake line provides outside air for combustion. Almost all pellet stoves require a nearby outlet to run the fans, thermostat, and circuit board. Pellet stoves must rest on a noncombustible surface, such as stone or ceramic tile, to guard against errant embers. A pad should extend 6 inches beyond the door. A traditional fireplace looks great, but it's a poor heat generator. Most of the flame's warmth, plus warmed air from the rest of your house, goes right up the chimney.

To transform your hearth into an efficient heater, you can fit the firebox with a pellet-stove insert, such as the Harman P35i model shown at left. A dealer can help you find a unit and a metal surround to best fit your hearth's dimensions. But because a metal liner must be fitted inside the chimney for ventilation, installation is best left to a chimney specialist.

This work may also need to be approved by a municipal inspector before the stove can be operated.