Pellet stoves They have become widely used and popular relatively recently. Their features and economy make them very easy to use and perform well. Their fuel economy also helps them spread across the market and enhance the image they give.
If you want to know all the keys necessary to understand how pellet stoves work and evaluate whether they are a good option for heating your home or business, this is your post. Here you will find detailed information about their operation, components, advantages and disadvantages, as well as the different types that you can find on the market.
How do pellet stoves work?
The operation of pellet stoves It is simpler than it seems. The system is designed to be efficient and to reduce user intervention to a minimum. Each stove has a tank where the pellets are stored. These are small cylinders of compressed biomass, usually made from pressed sawdust, which have a high calorific value.
When the stove is turned on, a endless (a screw worm) transports the pellets from the tank to the combustion chamber. The screw worm works according to the instructions of a electronic controller, which allows the amount of pellets transported to be adjusted, depending on the heat required. In this way, continuous and controlled combustion is achieved.
In the combustion chamber, the pellets burn, producing both heat and smoke. The smoke is expelled through the smoke outlet (where a chimney is usually placed to direct these gases to the outside), while the heat is directed to the interior of the place where the stove is installed. At the same time, an internal fan takes cold air from the environment, heats it and expels it back into the interior space.
This combination of heat transfers by convection and radiation creates a cosy atmosphere, heating the room evenly and quickly. Meanwhile, the combustion gases are cooled by heat exchangers before being expelled through the chimney, which helps to improve the thermal efficiency of the equipment.
In addition, pellet stoves are programmable.Many models have control systems that allow you to regulate the temperature automatically and even program switching on and off at certain times, which provides added comfort.
Disadvantages of pellet stoves
Like any heating system, pellet stoves have some drawbacks that should be considered before purchasing. One of the main problems is that They need a constant supply of air for combustion to take place properly. This means that, although they heat the air inside the house, they need to extract air from the room, which can create a slight loss of warm air.
In fact, these stoves use room air for combustion and then expel it outside as smoke. This means that part of the warm air generated by the stove is lost, resulting in a small heat deficit in the environment. As this warm air is expelled, colder air from outside enters the home through poorly sealed doors or windows.
Nowadays, many models are designed to minimize this inconvenience by integrating a external air intake systemThis method allows the air needed for combustion to come from outside, instead of using the warm air in the room, which significantly improves overall thermal performance. The installation of this system requires creating a double perforation for the air intake and for the smoke outlet.
Components of a pellet stove
Chimney
La hearth The chimney is probably one of the most essential elements of any pellet stove, as it is responsible for evacuating the gases produced by combustion. It is important to ensure that the chimney is properly installed and free of obstructions, as a malfunction of this element can lead to bad odours, poor combustion or the accumulation of dangerous gases, such as CO2.
Current legislation establishes that gas evacuation must be carried out through a chimney that protrudes above the building, so in communal housing it may be necessary to obtain permits from the community of neighbours.
The material of the chimney should be double wall stainless steel to avoid corrosion and condensation inside the pipe, especially in places where outside temperatures are very low. It is crucial that the installation does not have more than three cubits 90 degrees, since excessive curves can hinder the correct evacuation of fumes.
Electrical power supply
A pellet stove requires electricity for the operation of its electronic components, such as the feed screw, fans and ignition. The electrical consumption of this type of stove is low, ranging between 100W and 150W during normal operation, although it can increase up to 400w during initial power-up.
This information is particularly relevant when choosing the ideal location for installation, since there must be an electrical connection nearby.
Pellets
El pellet It is the fuel used by stoves and its price is relatively low compared to other fuels. In 2023, the average price of a 15 kg bag of pellets will be around 3,70 Euros, which corresponds approximately to € 0,05 per kWhThis type of fuel is biodegradable and is made from wood waste.
El Pellet consumption depends on the type of stove and its power. A 9,5 kW stove can consume between 800 grams and 2,1 kg of pellets per hour, which means that a 15 kg bag could last approximately seven hours if the stove is kept at its maximum power.
It is advisable to purchase a sufficient amount of fuel to avoid interruptions during use, especially in winter. In addition, it is important to store the pellets in a dry place, as their efficiency decreases considerably if they absorb moisture.
Types of pellet stoves
Stoves of ductile pellets
The ductile pellet stoves They can distribute hot air to different rooms using additional ducts. This type of stove includes additional outlets that allow the heat to be channelled through tubes to nearby rooms, expanding its heating capacity from a single heat source.
However, it should be noted that performance in remote rooms is usually lower than in the main room, since the largest amount of hot air is emitted in the area where the stove is located.
Hydro stoves or thermo stoves
The hydro stoves or thermo stoves They allow not only to heat the air in a room, but also to heat water that can be used to feed radiators in other areas of the home or even provide hot water. These stoves combine the advantages of pellet stoves with the capacity of a boiler, making them a very interesting option for those looking for a more complete solution for the whole house.
Like boilers, these stoves require the installation of a water pipe and a radiator system, which can increase the installation cost.
In short, this type of stove stands out for its efficiency and versatility, also allowing for a reduction in the use of conventional gas or diesel boilers.
Now you can have a much more complete view of the operation, types and advantages offered by pellet stoves, which will allow you to evaluate which option best suits your needs and your home.
Good Andrés. Thanks for your comment.
The issue of biomass pollution is discussed in this post: https://www.renovablesverdes.com/calderas-biomasa/
And the aerothermal in this other: https://www.renovablesverdes.com/aerotermia-energia/
If you have any questions, I will be happy to solve them.
A greeting!
Hello, I wanted to respond to your answer but I do not know what happens with the message that is not published nor any type of error or explanation. I control this shorter to test to see if it is too long, some strange character or something similar. All the best.
Doctors do not have pellet stoves in their homes. Why? Because prolonged exposure to smoke from incomplete combustion of pressed wood causes cancer, this is systematically hidden.
Not to mention the problem of deforestation that pellet factories are generating. There is nothing ecological about this system.