Pellet furnace to supplement oil?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

fr8tdog

New Member
Nov 19, 2007
11
mid maine
I currently have oil fired hot water baseboard in a 2 story 2500sf home. When I built the house about 17yrs ago I make provisions for a wood stove in the basement (but never installed) so there is a double walled metal chimney already there. Also, I installed some duct work that basically goes straight up to the 1st and 2nd floors with vents on both. At the other end of the house on the 2nd floor is a cold air return to the basement that has provisions for a duct fan to be installed to pull air back to the basement. With the price of oil at $3+/gal I am considering using pellets as a supplement to the oil for heating, oil is used for domestic hot water also. I have looked into the Harmon PF100 and the US Stove 6220, both have plenums for the hot air, the Harmon is pricey, but my wife likes the fact that requires less attention (ie self ignition). Appearance is not really a factor. I have read on this forum about Harmon having some monetary problem, I have a dealer about half hour away, don't really know his history but he has been around awhile. Does anyone have any experience with either of these furnaces? Is my initial idea of supplementing even make sense? We have a new manufacturer of pellets opening very soon about 5 miles away (Corinth Pellets), so the price I am hearing about pellets should be around $200/ton. I appreciate any and all input.

Thanks
 
i think the Harmon issues are all wrapped up. the price of pellet usualy rises with the price of oil, not allways to the same degree. it may take some time to get a return on your investment, but if the chimney is there i would go for it. what type of pipe is installed. different stoves have different requirements.
 
At this point, I would advise anyone that uses oil heat to look for a backup, or an alternative.

Its not all about the money. Its about when you call your oil supplier in February and they have no product to sell, your down to 50 gallons, and a blizzard is on the way. Judging by the diesel shortages in the upper midwest, it can happen. You being in Maine, thats near the end of the supply chain and will feel the impact of any shortage before most.

So yes, your idea of supplementing makes sense, and in my opinion, it would be reckless not to do so.
 
Before you make this investment, be very certain about what your pricing is on the pellets. Then be very certain as to how many tons of pellets you will be using per year. According to the calculator here on HearthNet, oil at 3.00/gallon is equal to pellets at 310/ton. Now, even if you get pellets cheaper, how many tons are you going to have to burn before you recoup the expense of the pellet furnace? I think that after you run the numbers, you'd be surprised how cheap pellets have to be before they become an economical alternative to oil. Now, on the other hand, there is Sandor's point about there being no oil left for you to burn, in which case the pellet furnace is taking on an entirely new role as a required alternative to oil, rather than just a economical one, which makes sense in the current environment. In my opinion, however, I'd look at coal stokers.

-- Mike
 
Status
Not open for further replies.