Pellet fireplace - ergonomic new
A variety of modern fireplaces allows you to use them not only in private homes, but also in ordinary apartments.
Such systems can operate from both electricity and wood fuel.
The effectiveness of each of these types depends on the manufacturer of the fireplace and its purpose.
To choose it correctly, you need to explore all the advantages and disadvantages of such systems.
What it is
Among the many types of fireplaces, people increasingly use pellet-type structures.
In such mechanisms, the main fuel is wood waste, compressed into small granules.
Pellet fireplaces are made from several materials:
- sheet iron;
- cast iron.
To give it an attractive design, such mechanisms are decorated with glass or ceramic finishes.
Such fireplaces are often carried out in the form of small tanks, inside of which the fuel is burned.It should be noted that this process takes place behind a glass door, imitating the crackling of firewood.
Depending on the design, fireplaces can be divided into several types:
- Systems with water circuit. A feature of such structures is the ability to connect to them the heating system. This will give the opportunity to warm the room not only by the air flow from one point, but also to transfer heat to the batteries.
This technology in some way resembles an ordinary heating boiler.
- Fireplaces with air ducts. Systems of this type operate on the principle of a convector, heating a room with streams of warm air.
Pellet boilers are often equipped with automatic ignition systems, but there are times when this process can be carried out without electricity.
Features and benefits
Pellet fireplaces are distinguished from other structures by their high efficiency and practicality.
There are many varieties of such systems, among which there is a pellet furnace-thermal.
The advantages of pellet boilers include several characteristics:
- Compact frame size.Fireplaces of this type will perfectly fit into both a small kitchen and a spacious living room.
- Work automation. Virtually all heating and combustion operations are performed without human intervention (fuel supply, combustion adjustment, etc.).
- High security.
- Modern pellet fireplaces are characterized by high efficiency, which in some cases can reach 80%. There are long burning systems that reduce the frequency of replenishment of the fuel chamber.
- Multifunctional. The designs are complemented by convenient control panels, which allows adjustment at a distance.
- Long service life (up to 15 years).
Although pellet fireplaces are very practical, they still have several significant drawbacks:
- The price of the mechanisms is much higher than their traditional counterparts.
- Restriction in the use of fuel. Fireplaces of this type work only from the electrical network or wood pellets.
- Short period of preservation of heat. Fireplaces are cooled almost immediately after the burning source has been removed, since the metal is not able to keep the temperature, as a stone, for example.
- The possibility of unpleasant noise during the rotation of the ash bowl.
It should be noted that it is recommended to operate pellet fireplaces only with gas ducts made of metal, and not of brick.
Device
The design of the pellet fireplace resembles the usual firebox on wood, but this is where their overall characteristics end. Inside, such systems are equipped with modern automation, allowing to regulate all the main processes inside. The pellet boiler consists of several main parts, which will be considered further in more detail.
Chimney
Pellet boilers can be equipped with several types of chimneys. It should be noted that the use of systems for this purpose is excluded from bricks.
Often this element is made of various types of steel. Many experts recommend using modular stainless steel chimneys here, but other products can be used to provide a safe thermocouple outlet.
Form factor
This parameter points directly to the shape of the fireplace itself. Today on the market you can find 2 main types of similar systems:
- Separate designs. Fireplaces of this type have their own body, which is externally supplemented with decorative trim.Metal housings are often made of two-layer, which are covered with special ceramic panels on the outside.
- Built-in fireplaces are often products with large bins.
In this case, the whole system is often hidden in special niches, and from the outside you can only see the front panel. The burning period of such fireplaces is much longer than the previous type.
Tanks for fuel and ash
These attributes of fireplaces differ only in shape, volume and minor functional differences. Some models can be supplemented with special hand drives that feed fuel directly into the firebox, but other options can also be found.
Firebox
This element of the heating system is made of thick sheets of steel or cast iron. Also on the inner surface there is a certain number of special ribs that increase convection. The dimensions of the fireboxes are often standard, which makes it possible in some models to replace pellets with small firewood.
Burner
Combustion systems can be different, but often they are located at the bottom of the furnace.To improve the combustion, not only fuel can be supplied to the chamber, but also a stream of air under slight pressure.
Automation
Automatic operation of the boiler is provided by several mechanisms, among which there are such as controllers, temperature sensors, electric motors, etc. At the same time, fireplaces are equipped with a special control system with which you can change many parameters.
Boiler
This attribute represents a water circuit that allows the use of a fireplace for heating a house or room. Boilers are not equipped with all such structures, but still they are quite common.
Kinds
Pellet boilers are made in several versions, but mostly vertical metal firebox. All of them have their own distinctive features that must be considered when purchasing.
With water circuit
Fireplaces with a water jacket are special designs, which also include a water boiler. This allows you to connect these mechanisms to the heating system paired with a heating boiler.
Non-volatile
A distinctive feature of such fireplaces is the ability to work without forced air supply. Often they have a vertical design to increase the flow of gas.It should be noted that these pellet fireplaces are characterized by somewhat lower efficiency than their counterparts with an automatic air supply system.
Aerial
The operation of such structures involves the transfer of heat directly through air flow. To increase the efficiency of this heating system, the designers use forced ventilation or carry out the casing so that the gas moves in the right direction.
Long burning
Fireplaces of this type are equipped with significant chambers for fuel, which allows them to extend their life without refueling from one to several days. They may have a different design, which depends on a specific manufacturer.
This division into subgroups is relatively conditional, so many other variants of such constructions can be found on the Internet.
Review of the best models
The modern market of fireplaces is full of many types that differ in performance and design. When choosing such constructions it is very important to evaluate the characteristics and advantages for everyone. Among the many representatives, there are several distinctive models of fireplaces,which will be discussed later in the article.
Vesuvius
Products of this brand are highly efficient and relatively low cost. It should be noted that in the production of fireplaces, experts use only structural steel with a thickness of 8 to 12 mm. Some models of fireboxes are also equipped with double combustion chambers, which allows to increase the percentage of fuel combustion.
Termal
Pellet fireplaces of this brand are equipped with the ability to connect to a water heating system. They are among the most sought after in their class. Some models have a very high efficiency, which reaches 92%.
Flumenfire
Flumenfire systems are highly productive. Boilers of this type have small dimensions and are not very demanding on the quality of fuel, which is very important. The volume of the fuel tank varies from 15 to 75 kg.
Gran
Fireplaces of this brand are quite practical and reliable. On the market you can find systems of various capacities from 5 kW to 20 kW, which allows you to provide several rooms with heat.
Ecoforest
A distinctive feature of this Spanish manufacturer is the release of powerful fireplaces (up to 30 kW). It should be noted the high quality of this product, which has already been tested by a huge number of users.
Luminox
The products of the French company are of high quality and reliability. Among the many types of fireplace you can choose the best option for solving specific problems, while maintaining practicality and interior design. When buying a pellet fireplace of a certain brand, it is also desirable to take into account the reviews of the owners.
Interesting solutions in the interior
Pellet fireplaces are perfectly combined with many elements of the interior. They can be installed in any room, combining their conservatism with a concise design of the room. The built-in type fireboxes look great, which can be decorated with arches, decorative tiles and other materials. Many designers install pellet fireplaces in restaurant halls, giving them a peculiar warm atmosphere. If you want to create coziness and comfort in your home, use such designs in combination with other decorative elements.