There are many options for supplementing your home’s heat during the winter. Some choices are fireplace inserts, wood stoves and pellet stoves. Pellet stoves have been around for a while, but over the last decade have become a great option for homeowners looking to save on heating costs. Pellet stoves operate differently from gas inserts or wood-burning stoves, as we’ll explain below, and they have a number of benefits that are worth considering. If you are looking to make better use of your fireplace in Plainville, it may be time to consider the installation of a pellet stove.
How Does a Pellet Stove Heat?
Pellet stoves heat via convection, which is the way heat moves through gases, including air. Pellet stoves heat this way because they blow the hot air generated in the stove into your living space. Pellet stoves require a small amount of electricity to operate. The heating cycle begins when the auger, a large, turning screw, feeds a small amount of pellets into the burn pot while the combustion fan draws air into the stove to help with ignition. A small, hot electrical igniter warms the bottom of the pot until the pellets light. The auger continues to feed the pellets into the burn pot until the flame reaches the correct temperature, as assessed by a small sensor that is attached to the rim of the burn pot. The heat exchanger inside the stove warms from the combustion from the burn pot, and once the correct temperature is reached, the stove’s fan blows the warm air into your home as the toxic combustion fumes are exhausted from the system through your chimney.
Some Benefits of a Pellet Stove
Here are some of the benefits a pellet stove can offer you:
Low ash – pellet stoves have a very low ash content, making them very easy to clean.
Outside stays cool – unlike the outside of a wood stove, the outside of a pellet stove (except the glass) stays cool to the touch. This is because the shell of pellet stoves are fully insulated.
No smoke – pellet stoves do not produce smoke, so there’s no need to worry about smoky rooms.
If a pellet stove sounds like a good option for your home, call Dynamic Mechanical Heating & Air Conditioning today to schedule an appointment! We offer professional fireplace installation in the Plainville area.