Assembling, cutting, and collecting firewood or biomass pellets is an inconvenient task, even if you prefer to light up a fire that creates a source of heat in the house and keeps burning, especially during winters. Let us now go through how a pellet stove operates and figure out this is the best alternative you must go for.
But, more than lighting the fire, a more stressful job is constantly looking after it and making sure when to put it out before you go to sleep or leave the house. This is a problem that people have to deal with from time to time.
You can also look over the fact that the smoke that comes out of the woods is mixed with several chemical compounds that can be toxic to human health. Also, the emission of harmful gasses may cause air pollution, reducing indoor air quality.
It may raise many questions in your mind, including what people that are fond of indoor fireplaces are supposed to do by keeping in mind all the concerns regarding a wooden fireplace.
Well, the answer is simple.
Get your hands on a substitute that will be both environmentally friendly and cost-effective and convenient.
This is where a wood pellet stove comes to the rescue, simply because it incorporates all the qualities that you have been looking for.
A pellet stove looks analogous to a traditional fireplace or wood-burning stove; however, this is the only resemblance that you will be able to notice.
A pellet stove is a unique and modern electronic appliance that offers an affordable yet environment-friendly way for indoor heating.
How Does A Pellet Stove Work?
There are a few different mechanisms by which a pellet stove works. The following are how most pellet stoves operate:
Electricity
The operation of a wood pellet stove is dependent on electricity. The hopper is filled with pellets from either the unit’s top or bottom. A long screw-like structure called the auger is present inside the stove that is responsible for burning the pots after they leave the hopper.
The auger is motorized; hence the temperature of the stove is determined by the speed it operates with.
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Type Of Burning Agent
A pellet stove uses the same type of wood, the wood pellet. The pellets are byproducts from sawmills which are made from wood shavings or recycled sawdust.
They look very similar to rabbit food. They are easy to make, alongside being affordable and eco-friendly. Pellets reduce the rate of pollution. Pellets are also made from grass or corn; however, they cannot be used in pellet stoves that are intended to be used specifically for wood.
Convection Heat
A pellet stove up a room with the help of convection, unlike a traditional fireplace. Higher temperatures reduce the gas density and hence become light, making it go above a much heavier layer of cool air.
Convection works when air currents, both cold and hot, are forcefully combined, releasing and transmitting heat.
The Heat Exchanger Is Used As A Furnace
You can find the heat exchanger inside the combustion chamber, and it ensures that the stove’s exterior does not get too hot to handle.
The key role of a heat exchanger is, to receive the hot air and transfer the clean air through the blower in the house.
Types Of Pellet Stove
There are two main categories of pellet stoves that you may find available in the market:
Insert Stoves
If you already have an existing fireplace in your home, you can fix an insert stove to connect the chimney vents in the firebox.
Free-Standing Stoves
If not an inset stove, you can get your hands on a freestanding stove. It also comes with its own exhaustion pipe. A pellet stove can be customized in different styles, shapes, or colors that will suit the decorum of your home.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Pellet Stove
Now that you know the operations and types, you must know the advantages and disadvantages of installing a pellet stove in your home.
Advantages Of A Pellet Stove
These are the benefits that you get with installing a pellet stove in your home.
Efficiency
A pellet stove that is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] is 70%-80% efficient. One of the reasons behind their efficiency is their use of carbon-neutral and renewable fuels.
Additionally, wood chips take up much less space, producing less air pollution.
They Are Environment Friendly
This is one of the central benefits of a pellet stove. They emit way less smoke compared to the other types. Wood or burning gas emits greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide.
However, a replacement of coal fuel with a mix of natural gas or pellets can reduce CO2 emissions by at least 78%.
Easy Installation
A pellet stove does not require a costly chimney system, unlike wood ovens, as they are known to generate less smoke. This saves a lot of time and money trying to install a complicated feature. Most pellets come with air vent pipes.
Affordability
Pellet stoves are cost-effective. They cost around $4,000. Also, no extra expenses are involved, like chimneys or special ventilation.
Easy Maintenance
Because they produce less smoke, a pellet stove is easier to maintain. When the exhaust is less, creosote buildup also reduces. Creosote is flammable. Therefore, you are not required to maintain a catalytic converter, which is widespread in wood furnaces.
Disadvantages Of A Pellet Stove
Here are the drawbacks of switching to a pellet stove that you would want to consider.
Noisy
Pellet stoves make annoyingly low noises that might cause irritation. These are the sounds from the motor and the blower fan. This happens because the blower pulls the waste air out while bringing in the fresh air.
Requires Electricity
Certain parts of this device require electricity to function. You may have to pay an estimate of $9 per month extra on your electric bills.
Complex System
Many pellet stove parts may require regular maintenance, like the motor or the fan blower. Not only is it time-consuming, but also costly.
Use Of Plastic Bags
Every time you buy pellets, you will get them delivered in plastic bags, which is harmful to the environment. So, if you are regularly purchasing pellets, you are just contributing more and more towards plastic disposal in the environment.
Small Flame
If you compare it to a wood stove, the size of the flame in a pellet stove is comparatively smaller. Some people even call it unnatural or nervous.
Read More: Electric Baseboard Heaters: Everything You Need To Know
Wrapping Up
A pellet stove might be a better option; however, you might just want to get some professional consultations before installing one in your house.
Knowing well and then making a decision is the best decision you can make!
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