Softwood pellets vs. Hardwood pellets????

This is my first year with a pellet stove, and I bought 2 tons earlier in the season, $210 Hardwood Premium. I am estimating that this will take me to the end of January, therefore I have started to look for more pellets (at a reasonable price), with no luck.

By living in CT., I have come to find out that there is now a shortage. The local dealer is selling softwood premium at $340 a ton, and hardwood at $275 (they are now sold out of both).

Can anyone tell me why softwood is more desirable?

I thought Hardwood would be the way to go.

Thanks,

Rob

I just answered my own question by doing a little research, below is copied from www.pelletking.com. Has anybody tested this???



Q: What is better Hardwood Pellets or Softwood Pellets?

A: Most people jump to the conclusion that "we have always burned hardwood in our woodstove so hardwood must be better" - Not true with pellets.

The first and most important thing to remember is that you are buying pellets by weight NOT volume. A cord of dry hardwood vs. dry softwood weighs about 2-3 times as much. However, a pound of dry hardwood weighs the same as a pound of dry softwood.

So what counts is the heat output of each. This is where softwood wins. Below is information from a study done by the wood industry.

White Oak 8810 BTU/pound
Yellow Pine 9610 BTU/pound

A softwood pellet will produce 10-20% more BTU's per pound than hardwood depending on the species and create a lighter ash.

Many retailers call their hardwood pellets "Premium" - and charge accordingly. At the Pellet King we consider "Premium" pellets to be those made from all wood only with no bark. Hardwood pellets do cost more to produce because the raw materials cost more, this is a simple fact. At the PelletKing we sell each, but we will not try to push you into hardwood pellets because they cost more or are perceived to be premium. Simply put, they put out less heat and produce denser ash.

I live in Monroe, about 10 miles north of Bridgeport. Where abouts are these pellets located at? I am willing to travel.

Thanks,

Rob

Michael6268 ,thanks for the info. However, I just called them this morning and they are not taking on any "New Customers" this year because of the pellet shortage in the area.

Their web site is www.btpellet.com