Tired of Flushing Money Down the Toilet? Switch to Pellets!

It’s cold out there baby, and your heating bill is proof – especially if you’re one of the 10% of Americans who heats with propane or fuel oil. Ouch!

If you feel stuck, you really aren’t – even if you don’t have access to natural gas. Meet pellets.

Pellets are made from compacted sawdust, wood chips, and other natural substances. If you heat with propane or fuel oil, switching to pellets or even zone heating part of your home with pellets is a smart financial decision. See for yourself with this simple and fast pellet fuel savings calculator.

Pellets are 100% renewable fuel, so we’re talking green energy here. So you’re not only doing your bank account a favor, but you’re reducing reliance on fossil fuels and related environmental issues. Pellets can be purchased in 40 lb. bags at fireplace dealers, garden supply stores and big-box discount merchandisers, and in bulk in some areas. One bag can provide up to 24 hours of steady heat! A winter’s supply is usually 100 to 150 bags (2-3 tons), depending on your climate, home size, and desired temperature settings.

Pellet Stoves and Inserts
Pellets are burned in pellet stoves, or in fireplace inserts that retrofit existing wood-burning fireplaces. They are jam-packed with 21st century technologies that produce very little ash to clean up, and no chimney creosote. Many have battery backup systems that will keep you warm during power outages. (And if you live in the Northeast right now, you know how important that can be!)

Also along the lines of being kind to the environment, today’s pellet stoves and inserts have extremely low particulate emissions. This is due to their high burn efficiencies and also the density of the pellets.

The Bottom Line
Well over 1 million U.S. households have discovered the benefits of heating with pellets. That’s a lot of homes, and every year that number grows. Perhaps it’s time for you to take a closer look at heating with pellets. Check out all the options for pellet stoves here, and fireplace inserts here.