WoodPellets
Pellet fuel is made mainly of sawdust, shavings and fines leftover after processing trees for lumber and other wood products. At a pellet mill the material is dried, compressed, and formed into small eraser-sized bits They are clean, pleasant smelling and smooth to touch. The pellets are put into bags that weigh 20-40 pounds. Retailers often sell many bags together weighing a ton. Currently, pellet fuel can be purchased at stores that sell building supplies, pet and farm supplies, and hearth appliances. As pellets continue to increase as a popular fuel of choice, they will be sold by many more types of retailers.
Pellet mills voluntarily follow standards to
create a product that is consistent in content, density, size, and quality.
There are two grades of pellet fuel currently available on the market: standard
and premium grades. The main difference between the two is that the standard
grade contains more inorganic ash than the premium grade
The burning process is highly combustible and produces little residue. Some countries have exempted pellet appliances from the smoke emission testing requirements.
There are many advantages in using pellets as the fuel of choice. No trees are cut to make the pellets - they are only made from leftover wood residue. Burning pellet fuel actually helps reduce waste created by lumber production or furniture manufacturing. There are no additives put into the pellets to make them burn longer or more efficiently. Pellet fuel does not smoke or give off any harmful fumes. Using this fuel reduces the need for fossil fuels which are known to be harmful for the environment.
A trip to the local supplier is all that is required when low on fuel. Often, home delivery may be arranged. There is much less work involved than for wood burning heaters: no chopping or making large areas available for stacking. A pellet appliance is capable of generating 10,000-500,000 BTU of heat. An entire house can be heated by pellet fuel when the proper appliance is installed.
The cost of pellet fuel may depend on the geographic region where it is sold, and the current season. It costs about the same as cord wood and less than some other fuels. Pellet fuel is estimated to be only about one-third the cost of electricity. That could mean a large savings over the years.
Whether you live in a condominium in the city or a home in the country, pellet fuel is among the safest, healthiest way to heat. This technology is also valuable for non-residential buildings such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail stores, offices, hospitals, and schools.
Over 800,000 homes in North America now enjoy the convenience, warmth and clean heat of a pellet stove.