Pellet Boilers - Anyone have one?

[shvl73]

I didn't want to hijack this thread:http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/121659-outdoor-furnaces-good-bad-new-post.html on wood boilers.
Has anyone used or looked into pellet boilers, either indoor or outdoor type?
My reason for this is, I'm away alot during the week. They seem to have large hoppers that could be filled once a week. I'd rather she wouldn't have to deal with a wood boiler, though I think she'd be ok with it. We also have more field than woods so, not much ability to source my own on a larger scale than I currently do.
Lastly, has anyone looked into making pellets? Check out this site:Pellet Pro's

 

[charlz]

When I bought my pellet stove 4 years ago I briefly looked into them. At that time they were really only available in Europe, not sure if that has changed much. One of the things I noticed is that they don't go past a certain BTU rating... not sure if that is a design limitation on firepot size or what. Might be OK if you have a backup heat system that can provide additional heat during cold snaps etc. just wasn't what I was looking for/to do.

 

[escavader]

TORIN,
Ijust[febuary] installed a pellet stove in my wifes brothers house.It was a HARMAN. [hope thats spelled right]It would hold enough in the hopper for a day and a half in the coldest of temps.He told me they had larger add on hoppers that would run it almost a week.He has a very large house it it heats it very well.Iuse to be skeptical,but now i know about them i would put a pellet or corn unit in ,before i ever would an oil burner.Whats amazing ,it doesnt need a chimmney,puts out heat like a wood stove,but is operated by a thermostat just like an oil burner.
We have a large pellet mill going on line,right up here in STRONG.Alot of pellet mills going in all over MAINE.People are sick and tired of outrageous oil bills
ALAN

 

[shvl73]

Alan, I just stopped at a stove shop & looked at a Harmon pellet boiler. Looks like a nice product. I have a pellet stove & like it. I was in Skowhegan a couple weeks ago & sat next to a guy working on the Ashland pellet mill. Pretty exiting stuff to see the locals producing these alternative fuels. We've got one thats going to start in Berlin. Whatever gets me away from oil, I like.
Is the new mill going in the building across from Strong Hardware? I'll be through there next week, so I'll look around.

 

[escavader]

TORIN ,
Just after you go across the bridge off from rt 4 ,it would be the the 2nd road on the right [it takes you to NEWVINYARD]The mill is right there near the intersection.It was formally a FOSTER MANUFACTURING tooth pick mill.Idont see the price of pellets sky rocketing with all the wood we got here,and all the mills coming on line.My brother in law has nothing but good things to say about his.
Iknow you were thinking of a boiler ,but you could easily heat your home with a large pellet stove ,all it needs is a fresh air vent/return.Put in an electric hot water heater if you currently heat it with oil.Keep your oil furnace for emergency back up[you wont need the chimmney any way]
ALAN

 

[scesnick]

I had a regular pellet stove a 4 yrs. ago. The pellets then were $1.75 for a 40 lb. bag. Now they are close to $5.00 !!! My Father also has a pellet stove and last fall he started looking for a ton of pellets in october. He FINALLY got them in February. It seems that you are at the mercy of the pellet makers and if they want to jack the price up you have to just lump it..

I would look at other options like a multifuel boiler or a wood furnace ( not stove but furnace) I have the multifuel boiler in my garage and it works great. i heated my 3,500 sq. ft loghome that sits up on a VERY cold windy snowy mountain for $250.00..
PM me if you would like more info...

 

[charlz]

Pellets need to be shipped from the mills so the price of fuel has a lot to do with the price of pellets. In 2004 we were paying $185/ton and last year I paid $220/ton. I know in the north east pellets were about double that. Having a local mill will help a lot. One of the farm stores has a 'stock up' sale around August and sells pellets cheaper than winter prices. I can see the market for pellets being real feast and famine. Feast in the fall and winter and famine all spring and summer. You might be able to get a great price from a local mill during the summer when they need cash for operations as they build stock for the fall rush.

 

[Ductape]

Torin, I probably shouldn't tell you this..... but i was looking into add-on pellet furnaces recently. The place in Chichester (abundant life?) on Rt4 had a Harman in stock...... their display model, on sale for about $2,500. It was nearly a thousand off regular list price since it was their display. I was thinking about buying it, but since i'm still on the fence about which direction i'm gonna head..... i'll pass the deal onto you if you are interested. I've also looked at add-on coal furnaces...... i was shocked to find there are now direct vented units available (4" pipe, like the pellet furnaces). I know coal is dirtier, but i'd suspect much cheaper. I became aware a few years ago that the pellet supply is a bit fickle. I certainly see the price of pellets going up alongside oil/gas. Right now i'm leaning toward a multi-fuel furnace with oil backup..... but i know that wouldn't work for what you are looking to do.

 

[MikeD74T]

Lately the news is all about gas prices without much said about diesel prices. In 2002 when I bought my diesel truck gas was $1.25 & diesel was $.85, now Gas is $3.79 & diesel $4.79. I think the reason diesel went so high & will stay there is because everything in the US is moved by diesel truck or train and the end user of all transported goods will pay or go without. We're not yet a nation of "go without" people. Wood pellets are no different than any other transported product, unless the source is local the cost will be high.

I have no experience with Pellet Pro machines but they've got some negative press lately in Farm Show magazine from owners. Like any other machine they work best only with optimal conditions & materials.

Recently saw an ad for a larger pellet, 3"dia x 3" long, for conventional stove use called Unidillawood. Exagerated claims? Unadillawood ? RENEWABLE ENERGY.

I think people tend to be too fussy about what they'll burn. Craig'sList here has lots of free wood that involves a little work to burn. MikeD74T

 

[shvl73]

I had a regular pellet stove a 4 yrs. ago. The pellets then were $1.75 for a 40 lb. bag. Now they are close to $5.00 !!! My Father also has a pellet stove and last fall he started looking for a ton of pellets in october. He FINALLY got them in February. It seems that you are at the mercy of the pellet makers and if they want to jack the price up you have to just lump it..

I would look at other options like a multifuel boiler or a wood furnace ( not stove but furnace) I have the multifuel boiler in my garage and it works great. i heated my 3,500 sq. ft loghome that sits up on a VERY cold windy snowy mountain for $250.00..
PM me if you would like more info...

Pellets have gone up but, at least we have a local supply. I would be interested to here more about your boiler, brand, model# and what you're fueling it with. $250/year is one heck of a deal.