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Reasons To Invest In A Pellet Stove

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 15:00:03 GMT

6 Reasons Why You Should Invest In A Pellet Stove

Wood and pellet stoves have been around for a long time and continue to be an incredibly effective way to heat your home. As technology advanced, these systems replaced log burners and now have a more contemporary appearance while also being more practical and simple to use.

Here, we look at the main justifications for thinking about purchasing a pellet stove for your house:

Reason #1: It's economical

A pellet stove offers a highly cost-effective alternative since it employs the mechanism of convection to transmit heat, which is something we all want to attempt to do to reduce the expense of keeping our houses warm and heating our water. The price of the pellets is significantly less than what you would pay for oil, gas, or electricity while yet producing a comparable amount of heat.

Reason #2: Environmentally friendly

For people who are sensitive of their carbon footprint and the effects that consuming fossil fuels has on the environment, pellet stoves are a terrific source of heat. The pellets used in the stoves are created from sawdust, scrap wood, and other by-products of the wood industry that would otherwise be thrown away. They burn well and generate little smoke and ash. Like their fossil fuel cousins, the pellets have no effect on the greenhouse effect because they are a renewable source of fuel.

Reason #3: Easy installation and upkeep

Due to their compact size, pellet stoves are very simple to install and can be easily incorporated into most homes that already have a chimney or flue system. After installation, they require little upkeep. Simply fill the pellet hopper with pellets every few days, and then clean the area surrounding it many times a week. Additionally, you ought to pay a business to clean pellet stoves once a year.

Reason #. 4: Simple to use

Many pellet stoves have programmable thermostats that enable you to manage the temperature, check your fuel level, and keep track of when the stove needs to be cleaned—all with the push of a button.

Reason #5: Warmth and comfort

Small enough to heat a single room are some pellet stoves. Or, if a back boiler is installed, they can be included as a component of the hot water system to provide you with piping hot water and aid in heating the rest of your house using the central heating system.

Reason #6: It's secure and handy

The main benefit of pellet stoves is their extraordinary safety because they almost never cause a fire threat. As they produce little exterior heat, they may be positioned very close to most walls, which makes them a great option if you have kids or pets.

The pellets are automatically fed into a flame once you have filled the hopper and switched on the stove. The flame will burn continuously until you turn it off. A pellet stove can be safely left on while you are away, and it will keep running unattended as long as there are pellets to burn.

Energy-saving Wood and Pellet Heating: Part 2

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:00:01 GMT

Department of Energy Talks About Burning Wood & Pellets For Heat : Part 2

Modern wood- and pellet-burning appliances are powerful enough to heat many average-sized, contemporary homes while also burning cleaner and more efficiently. Appliances that use pellet fuel burn tiny pellets, which range in length from 3/8 to 1 inch. We will cover maintenance, wood selection and storage, chimney placement and size, and pellet fuel in part two of this series.

Chimney Placement and Sizing

Chimneys use the heat from the fire to produce what is known as the stack effect. Cooler inside air rushes through vents into the wood-burning appliance as the heat from the fire rises, giving the fire the oxygen it needs to burn. This beneficial draft will begin to flow when a fire is started with a strong hot burn. A neutral pressure zone exists within the house in between the higher and lower pressure zones. The neutral pressure zone usually moves in the direction of the biggest air leak. When the top of the chimney is higher than the ceiling of the house, the chimney's neutral pressure zone is higher than the house's neutral pressure zone. Even when there isn't a fire, a well placed chimney generates a gentle flow of air into the appliance and out the chimney.

Consider putting the chimney inside your home if you are planning or building a new one. A more conventional chimney built along a house's exterior will lose heat to the brisk outside air. The low pressure of the stack effect will draw the chilly, musty chimney air inside the house if the temperature of the chimney air drops below that of the interior air. In this case, the home has replaced the chimney as the better chimney. Thus, the room fills with smoke when a fire is kindled.

The flue size should equal the stove outlet since chimneys must match the size of the appliance. Exiting exhaust slows down if the chimney is larger than the stove or fireplace outlet, which increases creosote buildup and reduces efficiency. Chimneys with high performance also have insulation. It is possible to safely and effectively connect older masonry chimneys to more modern, high-efficiency wood-burning equipment by relining the chimneys. Again, from the appliance outlet to the chimney top, the chimney liner should be continuous. It's not unusual to spend the same amount on the chimney as you would on your appliance.

Free-standing woodstoves release their exhaust into a piping system that is connected to the chimney. Consider purchasing double-layer pipe with a 1-inch gap between pipe layers if the connecting pipe is longer than 8 feet (such as in a vaulted ceiling). Modern stoves that are efficient generate a lot of heat. A longer single-layer pipe can emit a significant amount of this heat, slowing the draft and reducing the overall efficiency of your wood-burning system.

Maintenance

You must regularly maintain your wood- or pellet-burning system to keep it running effectively and safely.

Have a chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America evaluate your wood-burning system annually, preferably just before each heating season. A certified chimney sweep should have the skills to check the efficiency and safety of your appliance, hearth, connecting pipe, air inlets, chimney, and all other components in addition to cleaning the chimney.

Every two cords of wood consumed, catalytic combustors need to be inspected and replaced in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. To assist you check the combustor, most catalytic stoves and inserts offer a space for a thermometer. The cost of the changeable, detachable catalytic cell ranges from $75 to $160. If burning seasoned wood, catalysts in recent models, particularly those built after 2005, should only need to be changed once every 5-8 years. Prior to the year 2000, older catalytic stoves require more frequent inspections and catalyst replacements.

A wood-burning device will heat more effectively if the inside is frequently cleaned out using a wire brush. Soot accumulation of even 0.1 inches might reduce heat transfer efficiency of the metal by 50%.

It's crucial to operate and maintain pellet-fuel appliances according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Maintain fans and motors properly by performing routine inspections. At the conclusion of the heating season, manufacturers advise removing any unused pellets from the stove hopper and feed system. This lessens the possibility of rusting, which might cost the appliance a lot of money to repair. Additionally, it makes it easier to fire the appliance at the beginning of the upcoming heating season. To avoid soot buildup, regularly clean the flue vent.

How to Choose and Store Wood

When fully dried, all wood species have a same heat (Btu) content per pound. Therefore, denser woods typically cost more and burn for a longer period of time. Overnight, woods like oak, hickory, and pine will burn.

You should select wood that has been well seasoned because burning damp wood might waste a lot of energy. A spring harvest of properly seasoned wood is followed by a summer of drying. Look for wood that is uniform in color and free of green. It should have a weight-based moisture content of 20% or below.

In case termites find the woodpile, store your wood far from the home. Cover only the top of the pile; leave the sides exposed to allow air to flow. To keep the wood dry, store it if at all feasible one foot from the ground (on concrete blocks, for instance).

Fuel Pellets

Typically, 40-pound (18-kg) bags of pellet fuel cost $3 to $4 each, or around $180 to $250 for a ton. Two to three tons of pellet fuel are typically used annually by homeowners who use a pellet device as their primary source of heat. Electric resistive heating, oil, and propane-fueled appliances are virtually always more expensive to run than those that run on pellet fuel.

The moisture percentage of most pellet fuels ranges from 5% to 10%. A typical percentage of well-seasoned firewood is 20%. Few pellet producers employ either petroleum- or non-petroleum-based lignin as a lubricant throughout the pellet production process, but the majority do not.

The PFI Standards Scheme, a third-party accreditation program that offers criteria for fuel of both residential and commercial quality, was introduced by the Pellet Fuels Institute. When certified pellets are purchased, this standard guarantees the client will receive the best pellet possible.

Examining the bag for excessive dirt and dust, which can create clinkers in the stove, is another way to assess the quality of pellet fuel. The amount of dust in a 40-pound (18-kg) bag shouldn't be more than a half-cup. When utilized with pellets that have a greater ash level, pellet stoves that are intended for low-ash content (usually top-fed stoves) tend to perform poorly. Numerous producers of pellet appliances are revamping their products to burn pellets with different ash contents.

The majority of pellet fuel appliance dealers either have a stock of pellets on hand or may suggest a supplier. Inquire at a nearby tree nursery or home and garden supply businesses, or search the local phone book under "Fuel" or "Pellet Fuel."

We here at Pellets Now would like to thank the Department of Energy for such a great reference. To read their article and learn more please visit their website at https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/wood-and-pellet-heating .

Energy-saving Wood and Pellet Heating: Part 1

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 15:00:01 GMT

Department of Energy Talks About Burning Wood &

Wood Pellets For Heating: Part 1

Appliance Selection and Installation for Wood and Pellet Burning

It's crucial to pick a wood- or pellet-burning appliance that is the right size for the area that needs to be heated. Residents frequently burn fires at a low smolder to avoid overheating when an item is too big, which wastes fuel and is one of the main causes of air pollution. A unit that is too small won't produce enough heat. You should talk to a reliable dealer about your heating requirements. A decent generalization is that a stove with a 60,000 Btu rating can heat a 2,000 square foot house, whereas a 42,000 Btu stove can heat a 1,300 square foot area.

Large amounts of air pollutants may be released by wood-burning stoves and fireplaces. Numerous chemical substances found in wood smoke, including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, organic gases, and particulate matter, are harmful to human health. Smoke from wood burning is a major cause of air pollution in many urban and rural regions. As a result, when the local air quality deteriorates, several localities ban the use of wood heating appliances. Others impose limitations or outright bans on the installation of wood-burning appliances in new buildings. Before establishing a wood-burning system, you should inquire about any local wood-burning laws with your state's energy office, environmental agency, or department of building codes.

Consider replacing your outdated wood-burning appliance with a more recent model that has been approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some have a catalytic combustion device that enables combustion gases to burn at lower temperatures, cleansing the exhaust gas while producing more heat. An EPA certification sticker should be present on every woodstove sold today. Because complete combustion helps to prevent a buildup of combustible chimney deposits known as creosote, higher-efficiency appliances typically produce lower emissions and are frequently safer.

How efficiently heat is delivered and preserved in your home will depend on where the appliance (and chimney) are located. Place the majority of wood- and pellet-burning appliances—which are effectively space heaters—in the room where you spend the most of your time. The ideal heating system would have a fan or blower assembly to distribute heat throughout the remainder of the house.

You should think about having your wood- or pellet-burning equipment installed by a professional for safety and to enhance efficiency. A specialist will thoroughly inspect everything, including your floor protection and chimney. A licensed expert can also assist you in selecting the ideal heating appliance for your residence. The National Fireplace Institute keeps a roster of qualified business people.

Appliances that Burn Wood and Pellets

The various kinds of appliances that are available are briefly described in the section below.

Fireplaces and fireplace inserts with high efficiency:

Traditional open masonry fireplaces should not be regarded as heating sources because they are mainly for decorative purposes. For combustion, traditional fireplaces pull in up to 300 cubic feet per minute of heated room air, which is then sent directly up the chimney. Additionally, fireplaces significantly pollute the air. Most conventional fireplaces are still energy losers, despite the fact that some fireplace designs attempt to solve these problems with dedicated air supply, glass doors, and heat recovery systems. You ought to lower or turn off your heat when burning a fire, and you ought to open a window close to the fireplace.

Older fireplaces can now provide more heat with the help of high-efficiency fireplace inserts. The inserts essentially perform the same functions as wood stoves, using the existing chimney and fitting into the brick fireplace or onto its hearth. A properly installed fireplace insert can operate almost as effectively as a wood stove.

According to studies, it's crucial to install fireplace inserts properly. Have a qualified installer check the fireplace and chimney to see if they can accommodate an insert. It is best if inserts are airtight. The easier it is to control the fire and heat output, the more airtight it is. Any gaps between the fireplace mouth and insert shield should only be filled by the installation using certified fireplace insulating materials.

Moving an insert to clean the chimney or liner might be challenging; it's better to leave this task to a qualified chimney sweep. In certain circumstances, a clean-out door can be added above the insert connection to reduce the frequency of insert movement. Some types come with wheels to make assembly, maintenance, repairs, and other changes easier.

Some contemporary fireplaces are approved as low emission appliances and have heating efficiency that are comparable to those of wood stoves. This generation of fireplaces can efficiently offer heat in addition to the benefits of a traditional fireplace, while being built to incorporate such benefits. Room air is pulled into the firebox through vents, heated in a heat exchanger, and then returned to the house by vents at the top of the fireplace or ducts leading to close by rooms. Some of these fireplaces are permitted to send warm air to an auxiliary fan in the basement. The air is then transported to different areas of the house via ducts. A dedicated source of outdoor air should be available for combustion in the fireplace.

Flues let warm, heated air escape from your house. Plug and seal the flue if you have a fireplace that isn't being used. Be sure to close the flue when the fireplace isn't in use if you utilize one. To prevent air leakage via the flue and temporarily seal the chimney, you might alternatively use an inflatable stopper, which is readily available in stores.

Fireplace Heaters

Other names for masonry heaters include "Russian," "Siberian," and "Finnish" fireplaces. Compared to other wood- or pellet-burning appliances, they produce more heat while emitting less pollutants. Masonry heaters are constructed of a firebox, a sizable masonry mass (such as bricks), and numerous, intricately curved smoke tunnels. Their fireboxes are lined with materials that can withstand temperatures of exceeding 2,000°F (1,093°C), such as firebrick, refractory concrete, or comparable materials.

Once or twice a day, a tiny hot fire is constructed to release warm gases into the extensive brick heat tunnels. Over the course of 12 to 20 hours, the heat is gently released into the house through the masonry, which first absorbs it. Masonry heaters frequently achieve a 90% combustion efficiency.

The majority are made to burn wood, although traditionally they could burn nearly any kind of solid fuel. Very little air pollution and creosote buildup in the chimney are also caused by the relatively tiny yet powerful fire. This sort of heater does not require fuel loading as frequently as other types of wood heating appliances because the majority of the heat from the fuel is transmitted to the brickwork and released gradually into the room throughout the day. A brick heater will also absorb the sun's heat and slowly release it into the room if it is constructed in a location where sunlight may shine directly on it in the winter.

There are numerous masonry heater types and styles to choose from. Larger models can fill an entire wall and imitate traditional fireplaces. The size of smaller variants is comparable to that of a wood or pellet stove. They are available as prefabricated units or as custom-built items. Large designs might run you $5,000 or more. There are plans and kits available, but they are difficult DIY projects that call for masonry expertise.

In comparison to traditional wood stoves and fireplaces, brick heaters have one big drawback in addition to being more expensive: they cannot produce heat fast from a cold start.

Appliances Using Pellet Fuel

Appliances that use compressed pellets for fuel are often built of wood, but they can also be made of other organic materials. Some types can burn little wood chips, corn kernels, and nutshells.

Compared to regular wood stoves or fireplaces, pellet fuel appliances are easier to use and can have much higher heating and combustion efficiencies. As a result, they contribute very little to air pollution. In actuality, the cleanest solid fuel home heating appliance is the pellet stove. The efficiency range for pellet stoves that have received EPA certification is estimated to be between 70% and 83%. Pellet stoves may produce between 8,000 and 90,000 Btu of heat per hour. Both residences and apartments or condominiums can use them.

Most pellet stoves range in price from $1,700 to $3,000. However, installing a pellet stove is frequently less expensive than installing a traditional wood-burning heater. Many do not require a pricey chimney or flue and can be directly vented to the room. As a result, the overall system's installation price may be less than the price of a traditional wood stove.

There are freestanding stoves and fireplace inserts that use pellet fuel as an energy source. In that they often heat a single room well, but not adjacent rooms unless they have a blower to pump the warm air into those other places, freestanding units are similar to conventional wood heaters. Inserts for pellet stoves fit inside of existing fireplaces. Pellet-fired furnaces and boilers are currently produced by a number of firms to replace or supplement gas- or oil-fired furnaces and boilers in domestic space heating systems.

Every appliance that uses pellet fuel has a fuel hopper where the pellets are kept until they are needed for burning. The majority of hoppers store between 35 and 130 pounds (16 and 60 kilograms [kg]) of fuel, which, under typical working conditions, is enough to last a day or longer. Several pellets at a time are dropped into the combustion chamber by a feeder device, resembling a big screw, for burning. The amount of heat produced depends on how quickly pellets are fed to the burner. A tiny flue pipe that can be pointed through a sidewall or upward through the roof is used to vent the exhaust gases. Modern variants control the pellet feed rate with a small microprocessor and thermostat.

Typically, just one daily refueling is necessary for pellet appliances. The compressed fuel makes the bagged pellets, meanwhile, challenging to lift. Some designs employ fully automatic bulk-filled storage systems.

The majority of the exteriors of pellet appliances (apart from glass doors) remain reasonably chilly while in use, lowering the possibility of unintentional burns. Because pellet burners burn fuel so thoroughly, relatively little creosote accumulates in the chimney, reducing the risk of a fire.

Pellet appliances are unfortunately more complicated and have pricey parts that can fail. Additionally, they must be cleaned annually by a professional and weekly by the homeowner. They also need electricity to power pellet feeders, controllers, and fans. They use roughly 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity every month, or $9, when used normally. If the stove doesn't have a backup power source, the loss of electric power leaves it without heat and may even cause some smoke.

Keep Your Pellet Stove Operating At Its Best

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 15:00:00 GMT

How To Keep Your Pellet Stove Running Great

We're here to help you achieve exactly that with a few easy recommendations for getting the most out of your pellet stove. People love their pellet stoves and want to maintain them working at their best. Be sure to consult your owner's handbook for more details since certain models may operate somewhat differently.

Suitable Pellets

You've heard the expression, "Garbage in, garbage out." With pellets, the same is true. When possible, we advise utilizing pellets of the highest caliber. You'll need to clean your stove less frequently because they burn more effectively and produce less ash than low-grade pellets. Purchase a small quantity of pellets (two to three bags) and use them in your stove before filling up. Observe how they operate before making a larger purchase.

The Appropriate Upkeep

It's crucial to routinely remove ash from the burn chamber region and the ash pan during the burning season. Additionally, you should scrape the burn pot and keep important parts clean, including the venting and airwash system (if your stove has one). You can find instructions unique to your stove in your owner's handbook. Before working on your stove, make sure that it has totally cooled. Wearing safety eyewear is also advised.

Cleaning the viewing glass with a soft cloth and glass cleaner made specifically for wood or pellet stove glass will improve your ability to see the fire. Avoid scraping it with any sharp things as scratches can weaken and impair the quality of the glass.

Additionally, keep in mind that certain pellet stoves require less care than others while shopping for a stove. Since Pellets Now sells some of the highest-quality pellets that are produced using the most cutting-edge technology currently available to maximize the efficiency of heating with pellets, we have a number of examples in our family of goods.

So have faith in us. Follow these recommendations to get the maximum performance out of your pellet stove for many years to come.

How Are Wood Pellets Made?

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 15:00:05 GMT

How Are Wood Pellets Made?

As more homeowners adopt green living, pellet stoves are more widely used than ever. Pellet stoves use renewable biomass pellet fuel instead of fossil fuels, utilizing organic waste that may otherwise end up in a landfill. These elements make pellet stoves an environmentally friendly option for household heating.

If you're curious about the process of making pellets, allow us to explain. Every day, truckloads of raw materials in various forms are delivered to pellet mills. Sawdust, wood chips, trash from the lumber mills, and even whole trees unsuitable for timber could make up a portion of the raw material. The raw materials could be partially dried or even kiln dried. They could even be green or freshly cut. The final product has uniform moisture content, heat value, ash content, and burn characteristics because all of the raw materials were processed in the same manner. To ensure that pellet appliances burn and heat consistently, it is crucial that all pellet manufacturers make their product to the same quality. Some of the procedures are as follows:

Organic Components

Pellets are created from a range of biomass, or organic resources, including wood chips, bark, sawdust, brush, and other leftovers from the production of wood products and the milling of timber. Poplar trees and other softwoods that are not good for building purposes can be planted expressly for pellet production. However, it is more typical for pellet producers to use waste wood or leftovers from other industrial operations to create their pellets. Pellets can also be made from straw, corn stalks, and other waste products from agriculture.

Hammer Mills and Chippers

Large chunks of wood are processed in the first stages of some pellet manufacturers' processes using chippers. Only those mills that accept this uneven feed material need them. Depending on the source of their raw materials, pellet manufacturing factories can be set up in a variety of ways. While they don't all have chippers, practically all of them start their milling process with a hammer mill. These devices reduce sawdust and wood chips to a regular smaller size, allowing for quick and reliable drying and pressing through the pellet dye.

Dried and Compressed

Using a hammer mill, the biomass material is reduced to a homogeneous size, shape, and density before being crushed through molds. The increases the warmth of the byproduct of wood, giving it a naturally mushy texture. The pellets stiffen as they cool and their moisture content drops to 4–8%. Your pellet stove may produce consistent, long-burning heat with nothing in the way of particle emissions thanks to the low moisture content. The pellets' handy shape makes it simple to load them into your stove's hopper for hours of environmentally friendly heat.

A pellet mill must dry the sawdust to a constant moisture level if it employs freshly cut raw materials, materials that have been exposed to the elements or excessive humidity, or a combination of raw materials that may retain moisture. Using sawdust burners, natural gas, propane, or other fuels, large dryer drums can be heated to drive off additional moisture.

The sawdust is put through dies at a high pressure after drying. The inherent lignins in the wood that hold the sawdust together are released as a result of the heating process. The pellet's diameter, durability, and length are also determined by the mill, along with its density. For reliable pellet appliance operation, each of these qualities is crucial.

Storage and Cooling

Soft and between 200 and 250 degrees, the pellets exit the mill. The temperature is lowered and the pellets are hardened using a cooling tower. They are often kept in a sizable storage facility after chilling in preparation for bagging or bulk distribution.

Bags or In Bulk

The pellets are placed in 40-pound plastic bags and stacked on pallets or skids as the primary means of distribution in the US. Depending on the distribution route, these skids might hold anywhere between one and one and a half tons of petroleum. Adding plastic bags, pallets, outer cover bags, shrink wrap, and the manpower and tools needed to stack and wrap pellets adds between $25 and $30 per ton. After that, these skids are transported and distributed across the nation for customer pick-up at retail locations or home delivery.

Bulk pellets are put straight into trucks for transportation to bulk storage containers from the silo of the pellet plant. The bulk vehicles are more expensive than standard flatbed trucks, but the system of processing, transferring, and delivery is significantly more effective. There aren't many household bulk handling systems in use in the US right now. Hearth dealers, the majority of big box home improvement stores, and certain hardware stores all sell pellets for residential usage, usually in 40-pound sacks.

Getting To Know Wood Burning Pellet Stoves

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 15:00:00 GMT

Everything You Need To Know About Wood Burning Pellet Stoves

Popular heating appliances for households and businesses are pellet stoves. They have several advantages over alternative approaches, but they also have significant drawbacks. We will discuss pellet stoves in this blog post, including what they are, how they operate, how much installation will cost, and more!

What Is A Pellet Stove?

You can install a pellet stove as a heating device in your house or place of work. They are fueled by pellets, which are small pieces of compressed biomass and sawdust. A clean burning fire is created when the pellets ignite in the burn pot and is then dispersed by a heat exchanger process and convection fan.

How Much Does Installing A Pellet Stove Cost?

Depending on the business you select to install the pellet stove, the price will change. An estimate of the labor and material costs will be provided if a professional is installing the stove. The price of a regular installation might range from a few hundred to a thousand dollars or more. The cost of pellets, which varies depending on where you live in each country, will also be estimated by the installation.

Is Installation Hard?

Depending on where the pellet stove needs to be located and how it will be ventilated, installation may be simple or challenging. The hardest element of installation—the venting system—usually requires professional assistance. Your installer will guarantee that your stove is built with an effective design for the type of location you have picked.

How Does A Pellet Stove Work?

A pellet stove operates in two ways: first, by burning pellets inside the appliance, which produces radiant heat; second, through convection. Usually, a pellet stove has two fans. One for heat convection, which moves the heat throughout the space, and one for combustion, which feeds the fire with oxygen-rich air. With the thermostatic controls on the panel, both fan speeds can be changed. Pellet fuel from the hopper will be continuously fed into the fire by an auger.

What Disadvantages Of Using A Pellet Stove?

The following are some drawbacks to utilizing a pellet stove:

Installation of a pellet stove may be more expensive than that of alternative heating systems.
Storage of pellet fuel can present some difficulties, and the majority of pellet stoves lack the ability to be ducted into heating and cooling systems.
Due to the design and materials employed, pellet stoves may require more cleaning and maintenance than other types of heating.

What Are Some Advantages Of Using A Pellet Stove?

The following are some advantages of utilizing a pellet stove as opposed to alternative heating techniques:

Pellets work well.
Pellets are a sustainable, eco-friendly source of energy.
Pellet stoves are a fantastic addition to other heating methods for your house.

The pellet stove is one method to stay toasty at night while being environmentally friendly this winter. There are certain disadvantages, but for many people, they may be worth it. There are numerous things to think about while choosing a pellet stove. We hope this article has given you further insight into the benefits and drawbacks of utilizing a pellet stove at home.

Cleaning Your Air Flow On Your Pellet Stove To Prevent Blockages

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 15:00:01 GMT

Tips On Cleaning Air Flow On Pellets Stoves

Taking Preventative Steps to Keep Your Air Flow Free From Obstruction

The ventilation and burn quality of your pellet stove can both be impacted by a significant accumulation of snow. An air intake and exhaust system powers wood pellet stoves. The pellets cannot be burned properly if there is an obstruction in this system. In contrast to wood stoves, pellet stove venting can be horizontal, vertical, or a combination of both.

One configuration for a pellet stove's burn exhaust is to run it horizontally and directly through an exterior wall. The external vent enables adequate exhaust ventilation and stove air movement. Your stove's ability to start and/or keep burning efficiently may be hampered if it is obscured by a thick layer of snow. If your wood pellets aren't burning all the way through, this obstruction may be to blame.

Venting through a wall with a vertical rise is comparable. The exhaust is raised higher up the outer wall using vertical piping. There is less chance of snow blockage with this configuration. Strong snow drifts or a lot of snow accumulation, however, might still cause obstruction.

With some variants, pellet stoves may also include exhaust vents that escape through the ceiling. The vent may be blocked if there is a thick accumulation of snow on your roof that hasn't slid off or been pushed off. Whatever method your stove uses to exhaust, make sure to check for obstruction.

Bringing up snow; We at Pellets Now are assisting dealers in preparing for the winter by assisting their customers. See how we can keep you stocked up on all your pellet needs to ensure that you are prepared for the long winter months.

Tips For Your Wood Pellet Storage

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 22:53:44 GMT

Tips To Store Your Wood Pellets Properly

Numerous homes in North America are heated effectively and consistently by wood pellet burners. Users may maintain this heating system in good working order, ensuring optimum value and comfort throughout the year, by following some advice on wood pellet storage.

The Best Storage Is Inside

The best amount of protection and aid in maintaining top quality is provided by keeping wood pellets within the home, if you have space in your basement, garage, or mud room. To keep the stack of wood pellet bags off the floor, reuse the skids provided by the manufacturer or the shipping firm.

Good Outdoor Storage Also Works

Many homes lack sufficient inside space for storing wood pellets. If you have no other choice than to store things outside, pick your area and setup carefully. Find a platform that is stable and elevated, preferably away from large trees and shielded from wind and rain. The bags are at least partially protected by a temporary roofed structure.

Clear Access

You must always keep a clear passage to the place where the wood pellets are stored. With indoor storage, this task is simpler, but in the dead of winter it may be challenging. Make a route through the snow with a shovel to enable quick, secure access. Any indoor spaces used for storing wood pellets should also be kept spotless. Always been on the look out for critters and spiders within your storage spaces. Mice can and will open bags if possible. Spiders will nest with the pockets of space.

Reduce moisture

Dry out your pellets, but keep in mind that moisture might enter from all directions. To shield the bags from precipitation and dampness, cover them. Setting the bags up off the ground is a smart idea whether you keep the pellets indoors or outside. This not only prevents ground-level absorption but also safeguards your fuel from flooding. Wood pellets simply break down when they get wet, making it impossible to utilize them again.

Open Only When Prepared for Use

Only opening the pack when you're ready to utilize the pellets is one of the finest ways to guarantee their longevity. Put them in containers only when necessary. Additionally, if you have numerous bags of pellets, fill your containers with pellets from the oldest bag according to the first-in-first-out concept.

Stack Formation

Be careful how you stack the pellets if you do happen to have more than one bag. The pellets may experience unnecessary stress if they are stacked on top of one another, which could result in warping. The most effective technique to stack them is across. This will improve the airflow between the bags and lower moisture by reducing pressure on the bags.

Avoid Heat

Keep your pellet storage away from any heat sources. Storing them next to heaters, water boilers, fires, and even automobiles can produce too much direct or radiated heat to be safe. They might potentially pose a fire risk if they don't solve moisture issues.

3 Benefits of Wood Pellets for Home Heating

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 14:43:08 GMT

3 Benefits of Heating Your Home With Wood Pellets

Renewable sources of energy

Making wood pellets from carbon-neutral wood fiber is a creative way to use wood waste produced during the production of other goods.

Through the creation of lumber, flooring, cabinets, millwork, and furniture, amazing amounts of wood "waste" (sawdust, wood chips, shavings, etc.) are produced daily.

Pellet producers buy these remaining clean wood residues that would otherwise be viewed as "trash" and transported to landfills and engineer them into an effective heating fuel.

Pellet makers purchased 8.8 million tons of waste from upstream factories making wood products in 2020 alone.

A Vital Low-Carbon Alternative

Burning fossil fuels for energy is a major cause of the atmosphere's rising carbon dioxide levels. By recycling the carbon dioxide released during combustion in the regeneration of the trees produced to meet the demand from the forest products industry, which it depends on for fiber, wood pellet fuel breaks this cycle.

The demand for higher carbon-intensity fossil fuels like heating oil and propane is replaced by the low-carbon option offered by wood pellet fuel for home heating.

Supporting the Local Economy

Wood pellet producers also provide jobs in the logging, trucking, and maintenance industries in addition to those in their own operations.

It's also important to note that wood pellet sales for domestic heating totaled $500 million in 2020, with much of these sales going to independently held small business owners.

How to Compare Pellet Stoves with Oil Heating

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 14:43:07 GMT

How to Compare Pellet Stoves with Oil Heating

There is nothing quite like the fragrance of burning wood, but due to the relative inefficiency and high pollution levels of wood stoves, many households choose to use oil and other types of fuel instead. Some households are turning back to the old-fashioned wood heating methods thanks to the development of wood pellets, which burn more cleanly and effectively than other types of wood. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of heating with pellets versus oil before making the transition to compare prices, supply, and other important factors.

Compare Prices:

According to the Forests Products Laboratory, a typical family needs between 50 and 150 million BTUs to heat their home during the winter. It is useful to look beyond the cost per unit and consider the cost per thousand BTUs of heat when comparing prices for various types of heating fuels. According to a 2011 estimate by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, oil cost $36.33 per thousand BTUs, whereas pellets cost $19.43. Oil and pellet heating expenses might differ by location and time of year, but in general, pellet heating is less expensive than oil heating.

Determine Availability:

Obviously, low average pellet prices are meaningless if you can't find pellets where you live. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, less than 3% of the population uses wood pellets to heat their houses, compared to 11% of homes that use oil. This implies that not all markets may have easy access to pellets. Look up nearby pellet distributors online or in the phone book before making a pellet stove purchase. If none are accessible, delivering pellets to your house might be too expensive, making oil the more cost-effective choice.

Effects on the Environment:

There are advantages and disadvantages to both pellets and oil heating in terms of the environment. Wood pellets are an inventive way to recycle scrap wood and are a waste product. Despite the fact that pellets burn far more cleanly than conventional wood, according to "Foster's Daily Democrat," heating with pellets results in 50 times more pollution than burning oil. Although oil emits less emissions and burns cleaner than pellets, its main drawback is that it is a fossil fuel. Its supply is therefore rather constrained, and prices and availability may change over time.

Ask About Required Maintenance:

Inquire about maintenance needs for each type of heating system when looking for a new pellet or oil one. In general, ash must be removed from pellet stoves on a regular basis. They also need to be reloaded frequently to keep a consistent supply of pellets. Oil-powered systems may be simpler for individuals who want to spend as little time on maintenance as possible because they normally only need seasonal cleaning of the furnace and exhaust systems.

Comparison Guide: Wood Stoves vs. Pellet Stoves Part 2

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 14:43:05 GMT

Comparing Pellet Stoves to Wood Stoves: Part 2

The differences between wood stoves and pellet stoves were covered in Part 1 of this blog. We will talk about installation, longevity, and repair and maintenance in part 2 of this series.

Repair and Maintenance

Wood Heat

It's critical to weigh the maintenance requirements of each stove type when deciding which to purchase. Compared to a pellet stove, a wood heater will require more upkeep. For instance, a home with a wood heat stove should have a chimney sweep and inspection before the heating season to ensure that all components are in effective and secure operating condition. A wood stove that has an excessive buildup of soot is not heating the house efficiently.

Pellet stove

Even though both the wood heat stove and the pellet stove need routine ash collection and cleaning, the emissions and ash volume are lower with the pellet stove. To prevent the interior of the appliance from rusting, it is advised to remove any unused pellets at the end of a season. To avoid soot buildup in the pellet stove, you'll also need to clean the flue vent.

The only fuel used in pellet stoves is pellets, so there are no wood chips or bark messes to clean up. A pellet stove is nearly smokeless and clean to use. The most frequent maintenance issues include noisy stoves, ash buildup, and motor or power issues.

Energy Use

Wood Heat

A classic wood heat stove may be less expensive to build and run if firewood is affordable and readily accessible, and you don't mind the mess that results from burning wood (which includes splitting, stacking, and wood/bark debris). If you can salvage free firewood, the price is considerably lower.

While a pellet stove will need a generator to run, this may be a crucial factor for your family since a typical wood heat stove or fireplace will continue to produce heat during a power outage. Additionally, some wood stoves come equipped with cooking surfaces, which are highly practical in times of need.

Pellet stove

Compared to an airtight stove or fireplace insert, a pellet stove is more efficient. When selecting a stove, look at the BTU rates; the greater the number, the better. A pellet stove will turn off if there is a power outage since it needs electricity to run.

Installation

Wood Heat

Both types of wood-burning appliances follow the same rules and regulations for wood heat installation. There are different linkages, though (and connection costs). Typically, a full insulated chimney system that must reach over the roof peak is needed for wood heat stoves.

Pellet stove

Despite being slightly more expensive to purchase than a wood heat stove, pellet stoves are typically significantly simpler and less expensive to install. Some pellet stoves just require a direct-vent system or a more compact chimney, which is less expensive and simpler to install. It lowers the cost of the connection.

Cost

As far as the main unit is concerned, the upfront prices for a wood stove and a pellet stove are rather comparable. The style and design that you choose, as well as the size of stove that will adequately heat your living space, are your choices.

Depending on the firewood and pellets you can find in your location and the prices, they may vary. A pellet stove, as opposed to a wood heating stove, can only burn pellets, such as wood pellets or specialty fuel composites.

You should compare the price of a full cord of firewood and that of pellets and take into account how long each volume will last in order to create an accurate comparison because the cost and availability of firewood and pellet fuels will vary in different places. Your operating costs may be comparable with either stove if you anticipate that a winter's worth of firewood will cost you around the same as 3 tons of pellets (what you could regularly consume per season).

Lifespan

Wood Stove

A wood stove can survive for twenty to twenty-five years. This kind of stove has fewer parts and doesn't use electricity for power.

Pellet stove

A pellet stove has a 15–20 year lifespan. Because it contains more electrically active components, such as motors, fans, switches, and other devices, it wears out more quickly than a wood heat stove. One of the oldest forms of heat in use today is wood. You may even be able to locate some old cast-iron potbelly wood burners from the 1800s that are still functional.

The Findings

A wood heat stove might be the best option for you if you're searching for a generally affordable way to add more heat to your home and you have access to plenty of firewood to burn. If you have a wood heat stove, you'll also be able to heat your house (and possibly do some cooking) even if the electricity goes out in your neighborhood.

A pellet stove would be an excellent option, though, if you anticipate that the cost of your firewood and pellets will be comparable, you can manage the large pellet bags and offer enough storage, and you want a clean type of heating that you can set and forget about for the day. But always keep in mind that a pellet stove needs electricity.

Comparison Guide: Wood Stoves vs. Pellet Stoves Part 1

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 19:55:15 GMT

Comparing Pellet Stoves vs Wood Stoves: Part 1

You're not the only one who has chosen to utilize a wood fire to heat your home in addition to your primary heating source and cut down on your overall heating expenses. Although there are more options for wood-burning stoves and the types of wood fuel you may use to heat your home, many people are returning to the fundamentals when it comes to home heating.

Firewood and wood pellets are the two fuel options for wood-burning stoves. There is, of course, the conventional wood-burning fireplace, but this is really the beginning of the alternatives when it comes to wood fuel. The pellet stove is a whole different animal from the conventional wood heater or fireplace. Before making a purchase decision, you should consider certain crucial comparisons.

Differences Between Wood Heat and Pellets

Both kinds of stoves generate cozy dry radiant heat. To keep the temperature steady, a wood stove fire must be maintained. A pellet stove can be thermostatically controlled and works when the hopper is full of fuel, or pellets.

There are also significant variances in how firewood and pellets are stored and transported to the stove. Normally, firewood is kept outside, whether it is covered or not; if necessary, it can be brought inside in smaller batches to make the process simpler. Pellets, which are typically created from recycled wood waste, must be stored in a dry area like a shed, garage, or interior room of a home. The 40-pound bags that pellets come in may be difficult to transport to the stove.

Key Features of Both:

Wood Heat

Thanks to modern EPA-certified models, wood heat stoves in use today are safer and more effective than earlier ones. The most recent stoves will only produce 2 grams of smoke per hour, compared to the Environmental Protection Agency's requirement that wood stoves produce no more than 4.5 grams. 1 Up to 30 grams of smoke were emitted each hour by older stoves.

The internal architecture of the appliance, which determines whether it is a less complex non-catalytic (less internal combustion) or a more complex catalytic (more combustion to burn off more smoke before venting) stove, controls the emission limitations for wood heat stoves. Both types of stoves are safe.

Pellet stove

A pellet stove has a combustion chamber that receives the pellets from the hopper but does not have a non-catalytic or catalytic interior. To maintain a constant and cozy temperature, it may also contain a programmable thermostat and auto-ignition feature.

Appearance:

Wood Heat

It can come down to the stove itself when deciding between wood and pellet. Fireplaces, fireplace inserts, wood cookstoves, and box heat stoves are all types of wood heat stoves that come in both insert and free-standing variants, with or without doors.

Pellet stove

The early pellet stoves that were available were boxy and more like plain, ugly wood burners. However, because of improvements in their designs, it is frequently impossible for the general consumer to distinguish them from a wood-burning heat stove. There are insert and freestanding variants of pellet stoves that come with or without a viewing window.

Sizes

It's crucial to pick a stove that is the right size for the area you want to heat. If your wood heater or pellet stove is too big for the room, you'll have to operate it at a low smolder to prevent the room from getting too hot. The chill will not be reduced by a stove that is too tiny.

A stove with a 42,000 BTu rating, which is a general measurement of heat production, can generally heat an area that is 1,300 square feet. A 2,000 square foot home may be heated by a stove with a 60,000 BTU rating. 2

The heating capacity of pellet burners ranges from 8,000 to 90,000 BTu per hour, making them perfect for smaller households.

pelletsnow-v1

Reasons To Invest In A Pellet Stove

6 Reasons Why You Should Invest In A Pellet Stove

Reason #1: It's economical ﻿

Reason #2: Environmentally friendly

Reason #3: Easy installation and upkeep

Reason #. 4: Simple to use

Reason #5: Warmth and comfort

Reason #6: It's secure and handy

Energy-saving Wood and Pellet Heating: Part 2

Department of Energy Talks About Burning Wood & Pellets For Heat : Part 2

Chimney Placement and Sizing

Maintenance

How to Choose and Store Wood

Fuel Pellets

Energy-saving Wood and Pellet Heating: Part 1

Department of Energy Talks About Burning Wood &

﻿ Wood Pellets For Heating: Part 1

Appliance Selection and Installation for Wood and Pellet Burning

Appliances that Burn Wood and Pellets

Fireplace Heaters

Appliances Using Pellet Fuel

Keep Your Pellet Stove Operating At Its Best

How To Keep Your Pellet Stove Running Great

Suitable Pellets

The Appropriate Upkeep

How Are Wood Pellets Made?

How Are Wood Pellets Made?

Organic Components

Hammer Mills and Chippers

Dried and Compressed

Storage and Cooling

Bags or In Bulk

Getting To Know Wood Burning Pellet Stoves

Everything You Need To Know About Wood Burning Pellet Stoves

What Is A Pellet Stove?

How Much Does Installing A Pellet Stove Cost?

Is Installation Hard?

How Does A Pellet Stove Work?

What Disadvantages Of Using A Pellet Stove?

What Are Some Advantages Of Using A Pellet Stove?

Cleaning Your Air Flow On Your Pellet Stove To Prevent Blockages

Tips On Cleaning Air Flow On Pellets Stoves

Taking Preventative Steps to Keep Your Air Flow Free From Obstruction

Tips For Your Wood Pellet Storage

Tips To Store Your Wood Pellets Properly

The Best Storage Is Inside

Good Outdoor Storage Also Works

Clear Access

Reduce moisture

Open Only When Prepared for Use

Stack Formation

Avoid Heat

3 Benefits of Wood Pellets for Home Heating

3 Benefits of Heating Your Home With Wood Pellets

Renewable sources of energy

A Vital Low-Carbon Alternative

Supporting the Local Economy

How to Compare Pellet Stoves with Oil Heating

How to Compare Pellet Stoves with Oil Heating

Compare Prices:

Determine Availability:

Effects on the Environment:

Ask About Required Maintenance:

Comparison Guide: Wood Stoves vs. Pellet Stoves Part 2

Comparing Pellet Stoves to Wood Stoves: Part 2

Repair and Maintenance

Wood Heat

Pellet stove

Energy Use

Wood Heat

Pellet stove

Installation

Wood Heat

Pellet stove

Cost

Lifespan

Wood Stove

Pellet stove

The Findings

Reason #1: It's economical

Wood Pellets For Heating: Part 1