Wood Pellets Guide - Home Heating Alternative

With the pursuit to find a reliable source of energy other than non renewable energy such as fossil fuels, lots of studies and researches has been done through the years. Biofuels made from biomass (organic materials) have been proven to be an effective substitute. These biofuels are derived from biodegradable materials such as manures, plants, etc. Now, let us focus more on another effective organic material, the wood pellets.

In general, the very fine wood particles (sawdust) when compacted turn into wood pellets. These wood pellets are considered to be a form of wood fuel. Wood fuel, in its simplest explanation, is a fuel generated from wood. Wood pellets are normally the byproducts of sawing logs or woods by method of sawmilling. However, this can also be produced by any activities that involve transforming and cutting of woods.

Wood pellets are basically solid and consistently hard. With the pellets’ very low moisture content (humidity of 6 – 10%), they contain higher energy component that is likely comparable to high caliber coal. This would only means that their low humidity content saves a lot of energy that is needed to burn the amount of moist. These characteristics – a diameter of about 6 – 8mm, usually 2cm long, lower humidity and high density – allows the wood pellets to be automatically used in clean – burn heating appliances. Moreover, these attributes make the wood pellets highly effective as a burnable material.

In addition, since wood pellets are considered to be a biomass, then they should be environmental friendly. They release less emissions and ashes that could be detrimental to the surroundings. As mentioned, these pellets are compacted, thus they do not need a lot of space unlike any other type of wood fuel. This would also make it easier to ship even in long distance.

Not frequently used to manufacture pellets are similar organic materials such as straw, corn, etc. As a renewable material, wood pellets give the benefit of continuous energy supply. Moreover, woods and logs are not basically cut down to produce wood pellet but they are merely the byproduct of any wood processing activities. Also, pellets are actually waste materials, therefore utilizing them as an energy source would mean lessening the problem on waste disposal.

With the current situation, where the cost of fossil fuels is expected to continually rise, installation for more capable pellet heating systems resulted. From the year 1999, there have been numerous pellet stove models, heating furnaces and other form of heating machines that are widely distributed in the markets.

These stoves specifically designed for wood pellets are advantageous over other types of home heating systems. The usual wood stoves need more constant maintenance compared to wood pellet stoves. They are easy to operate and even more convenient than using traditional stoves. Though physically, they may look like the usual traditional stoves, however, they have microprocessor controls that ensure a clean and efficient fire.

As of 2005, the demand for wood pellets as a wood fuel has significantly increased due to costly fuels in different parts of the world.

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Wood pellets as a source of alternative energy over the usual non renewable fossil fuels have been gaining a lot of interest all over the world. As a matter of fact, heating systems designed specifically for the use of wood pellets are now widely available in the markets of some countries across the globe.It is believed that wood pellets as a wood fuel (a form of biofuel) is better than any other kinds of fuel. In fact, it can be compared to high quality coal and other similar goods. Below are some strong points of wood pellets as an alternative fuel.

• Environmental Friendly
Wood fuels which include fuel derived from wood pellets release lesser amount of ashes and emissions that are harmful to the environment and to human beings. The carbon dioxide that is released during the combustion of wood pellets is being used by the growing plants. Thus, it does not add up to the problem of global warming. Moreover, there would be no worries on how to dispose wood pellets which are basically waste products because they can still be utilized as an alternative fuel. This would greatly reduce problems on waste management.

• Convenient
Wood pellets are generally small – sized, highly densed and compacted unlike other biomass fuels such as wood chips. These characteristics would make a stack of wood pellets easy to store and transport. Their small, regular and uniform shapes enable them to flow like a fluid resulting on easy feeding on automated heating systems.

• Available
Availability has been always one of the concerns in the use of non renewable fuels. There may be numerous resources now, but it might create a problem on scarcity in the future. This is where the production of biomass fuels enters. Wood pellets, a biomass, are byproducts of sawmilling and other similar activity. With this in mind, instead of discarding these waste materials, these can be utilized as a useful alternative source of energy. As long as trees are continually growing and a balance between cutting and planting exists, availability would not cause a major problem.

• Effective
Wood pellets are proven effective as a wood fuel. Their low moisture content (humidity is typically 7 – 8%) does not require a lot of energy to burn it off making them highly efficient burnable material. Moreover, this feature also explains why it is easier to ignite (7-8% against 30-35% humidity of wood chips). Wood pellets generate high heat output.

• Natural
Aside from being biodegradable, chemicals or additives are not necessary in manufacturing wood pellets. A natural substance called lignin is found in wood itself that serves as a binder. A small amount of maize starch is added though sometimes. Furthermore, the wood pellets are manufactured from pure and not contaminated woods.

• Versatile
Wood pellets can be used in stoves (pellet stoves models and most traditional stoves), boilers, heating furnaces and similar heating systems. Lots of these appliances are now available in the markets.

These are the benefits that can be gained in utilizing wood pellets as biomass fuel. Such advantages make the wood pellets more popular among the manufacturers and consumers.

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With continuing innovation, the world is now enjoying the used of a renewable, readily available, reliable and effective alternative source of fuel. Wood pellets are compacted sawdusts that are verified to be a good competition over other forms of fuels. With their rising popularity, many heat generating systems such as stoves are being manufactured and are now widely available in the markets. The increasing distribution of these products would make some consumers consider shifting from the usual traditional stoves to wood pellet stoves.

Surprisingly, wood pellets were presented in the markets back during the 1980s. Since then, this type of stove has come a long way and has always been improved and modified to satisfy the consumers. At the present time, manufacturers offer 100% combustion efficiency to new models of pellet stoves. This is perfect heating system that can be particularly used in winter seasons without worrying on their effect on the environment. Furthermore, some models of pellets stoves can also utilized corn fuels. Their versatility is really useful when a user decide to shift to another energy source. Aside from that, they are cleaner than any other wood stoves. Therefore, they come out neatly in homes.

Unlike other fossil fuel heating systems, pellet stoves have controls that allow the user to regulate the temperature and time. In addition, these regulators ensure a clean and sufficient burning fire. Pellet stoves generate equal distribution of heat around the room for they have blowers that fans warm air. Also, they are safer to use than the usual stoves because they have sensor fans that would prevent the stoves from getting too hot.

The traditional wood stoves do not have hoppers that allow loading sufficient fuel for about 3 day’s consumption. Thus, constant monitoring is a must. However, with pellet stoves, they have hoppers that will allow domestic users to load fuel for a few days use.

One really good thing about pellet stoves is their automatic ignition. This means that whenever there is a need for heat, fire will easily ignite at a turn of the knob.

On the other hand, wood pellets stoves are quite complicated compared to traditional wood stoves. They have complex components like additional controls. Therefore, an understanding of how the system works is a must. With proper knowledge, these stoves will be easier to operate.

Though, pellet stoves do not require constant monitoring, they do need to be cleaned regularly. Also, electricity is necessary for the auger to function – the component that feeds the pellets into the combustible chamber. A battery backup is also available in case of power failure so it keeps on working.

Despite some minor drawbacks, pellet stoves are still considered one the easiest heating systems to operate. They may have minor flaws but the benefits would likely cover them up. Several companies particularly from Europe leads the nonstop innovation of these products to ensure that they could provide high quality wood pellets stoves and other similar heating systems. Just remember, there are lots to consider when using these pellet stoves. Therefore, think and decide wisely prior to buying one.

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