HUD secretary agrees to Sen. Collins’ request for new rules for pellet boilers

  • 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.

Swaybar

Member
Oct 18, 2009
73
Mid-Coast, Maine
http://bangordailynews.com/2012/03/...-for-new-rules-for-pellet-boilers/?ref=latest


Until now, HUD has not considered a wood pellet boiler system as a conventional primary heating source, which Collins says has made it hard for homeowners to obtain FHA financing and has discouraged homeowners from considering alternatives to heating systems that rely on fossil fuels.

“Maine is the most heavily dependent of any state in the nation on home heating oil,†Collins told Donovan. “When you see the spikes in oil prices we have seen this year — and the cutbacks in the LIHEAP — it is causing tremendous hardship for so many families.

“Many families are looking for reliable affordable alternatives. The wood pellet boiler industry is growing quickly and it has the potential to create thousands of new jobs in Maine,†Collins said.

Collins said wood pellet manufacturing, boiler technology and pellet delivery systems have progressed dramatically since the days of scooping pellets from a plastic bag into a small stove every couple of hours. Industry leaders indicate that newly developed pellet boiler systems can reliably maintain a constant level of heat in a home without direct human intervention.

To that end, she said, “It is appropriate for HUD to update its regulations and consider wood pellet boiler systems as an acceptable conventional heating source.â€

Donovan said Collins was “absolutely right†and said HUD will update its rules based on the improved technology.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.