Wood Pellets

Slickcraft · 11-20-2014, 05:06 PM

BD,

In 6 years of burning pellets I average 190 bags a heating season. The stove runs full time in the heating season, fully heating the 1st floor and helping on the 2nd floor of a 2,100 sq ft house.

I average about 1.25 bags per day, less on warmer days and more on cold days. The HarmAn P-43 runs on a thermostat setting keeping the 1st floor at 72.

I burn about 600 gal of oil less than when it was oil heat only. At today's price of oil at about $3/gal, that would be about $1,800 less in oil cost. This year I paid $239/ton for pellets so 190 bags would be 3.8 ton or $908.

My conclusion is that even with pellet prices up and oil price down this year, I am still ahead burning pellets. Besides, we like the feel of the stove heat in the LR.

BTW, I used to have a top feed pellet stove that needed cleaning once a day. So I really like the P-43 every 2 weeks cleaning cycle.

bigdog · 11-20-2014, 05:29 PM

Thanks Slickcraft and iShoot308 for your feedback, greatly appreciated !

I hear a theme hear..... Harmon P-43.......

I would have purchased a free-standing stove, but we wanted a fireplace insert model, for the asthetics.... Maybe should have thought that out more for various reasons, especially the loading door access.

Stove is located in Family room, at one of house, 2200 SF Colonial 15 yrs old, which was well insulated for it's time. Insualtion is typical Builder Owens roll insulation, didn't have an option. If I had to do again, would apply spray insulation, but that's a mute issue now.....

Any thoughts about the pellets I'm buring?
N.E. Pellets versus Green Supreme ? Have burned both with different results.

Thanks,
Bigdog

NHskier · 11-20-2014, 08:57 PM

Hi Bigdog,

We have the same insert as you, and have been running it for the past week with the colder weather. Running at a setting of about 4 we use roughly one bag per day.

I go 3-4 days between full cleanings. The ash pot will fill up before the side areas though the air throughput will also affect how quickly that happens.

Softwood pellets will produce more heat but burn faster than hardwood so it's a bit of a trade-off.

secondcurve · 11-20-2014, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHskier

Hi Bigdog,

We have the same insert as you, and have been running it for the past week with the colder weather. Running at a setting of about 4 we use roughly one bag per day.

I go 3-4 days between full cleanings. The ash pot will fill up before the side areas though the air throughput will also affect how quickly that happens.

Softwood pellets will produce more heat but burn faster than hardwood so it's a bit of a trade-off.

Has anyone used Vermont Wood Pellets? They are a softwood pellet which I am told have higher BTUs and are a cleaning burner fuel with less ash. They are expensive and hard to find but I'm told they are worth it. Any thoughts? Thanks

Blue Thunder · 11-22-2014, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Has anyone used Vermont Wood Pellets? They are a softwood pellet which I am told have higher BTUs and are a cleaning burner fuel with less ash. They are expensive and hard to find but I'm told they are worth it. Any thoughts? Thanks

Excellent pellet, very low ash, hard to find, and yes pricey. But in this case, it's a "you get what you pay for" pellet. Worth the money to some but those of us with HarmAns don't have to spend the premium price because our stoves will burn anything.

bigdog · 12-20-2014, 11:50 AM

To NHSkier.....

Sent you a PM please read.

Thanks,
Bigdog

Greene's Basin Girl · 12-07-2015, 10:06 PM

My sister is burning with Green Team Supreme Platinum this year and she really likes them. Of course she has not used them much because it has been so warm. I am wondering if anyone else is using them???

Winnisquamer · 12-08-2015, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greene's Basin Girl

My sister is burning with Green Team Supreme Platinum this year and she really likes them. Of course she has not used them much because it has been so warm. I am wondering if anyone else is using them???

I use the same. No issues here, clean burning and I find I clean my stove less frequently than with other brands. I tried a bunch of different brands and ended up liking these

Ive easily picked them up at Lowes each year.

ishoot308 · 12-08-2015, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greene's Basin Girl

My sister is burning with Green Team Supreme Platinum this year and she really likes them. Of course she has not used them much because it has been so warm. I am wondering if anyone else is using them???

Yes, I am burning the same brand this year and have found them to be an excellent pellet. The best I have used so far! They are a little more money but well worth the difference in my opinion as they have 1/2 the ash and I can go twice as long between cleanings. I don't find that they throw any more heat than other brands but then again never did see much of a difference in pellets in that regard...

Dan

Slickcraft · 12-08-2015, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greene's Basin Girl

My sister is burning with Green Team Supreme Platinum this year and she really likes them. Of course she has not used them much because it has been so warm. I am wondering if anyone else is using them???

I have used Greene Team hardwood pellets in the past and they were very good. The price has really climbed over the past few years, today $349/ton at Lowe's. Much more expensive than burning oil which is less that $2/gal now.

About 3 years ago I switched to Green Supreme which is a blend made by New England Pellet Co. I have had very good luck with it in the Harman P43 and it has run about $50/ton less than Greene Team. A different blend from Maine was $299/ton today. I got my 4 ton of Green Supreme in Sept when it was $246/ton (with my 5% Lowe's card discount) and that was still more expensive than burning oil. Due to the long steep driveway we can't get oil delivered in the winter so soon it will be the pellet stove 24/7.

11-20-2014, 08:57 PM	#3
NHskier Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 294 Thanks: 45 Thanked 37 Times in 34 Posts	Hi Bigdog, We have the same insert as you, and have been running it for the past week with the colder weather. Running at a setting of about 4 we use roughly one bag per day. I go 3-4 days between full cleanings. The ash pot will fill up before the side areas though the air throughput will also affect how quickly that happens. Softwood pellets will produce more heat but burn faster than hardwood so it's a bit of a trade-off. __________________ NHskier

12-20-2014, 11:50 AM	#6
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,452 Thanks: 347 Thanked 124 Times in 98 Posts	Wood Pellets - NHSkier? To NHSkier..... Sent you a PM please read. Thanks, Bigdog

11-20-2014, 05:06 PM	#1
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,329 Thanks: 1,242 Thanked 2,118 Times in 968 Posts	BD, In 6 years of burning pellets I average 190 bags a heating season. The stove runs full time in the heating season, fully heating the 1st floor and helping on the 2nd floor of a 2,100 sq ft house. I average about 1.25 bags per day, less on warmer days and more on cold days. The HarmAn P-43 runs on a thermostat setting keeping the 1st floor at 72. I burn about 600 gal of oil less than when it was oil heat only. At today's price of oil at about $3/gal, that would be about $1,800 less in oil cost. This year I paid $239/ton for pellets so 190 bags would be 3.8 ton or $908. My conclusion is that even with pellet prices up and oil price down this year, I am still ahead burning pellets. Besides, we like the feel of the stove heat in the LR. BTW, I used to have a top feed pellet stove that needed cleaning once a day. So I really like the P-43 every 2 weeks cleaning cycle.

11-20-2014, 05:29 PM	#2
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,452 Thanks: 347 Thanked 124 Times in 98 Posts	Thanks Slickcraft and iShoot308 for your feedback, greatly appreciated ! I hear a theme hear..... Harmon P-43....... I would have purchased a free-standing stove, but we wanted a fireplace insert model, for the asthetics.... Maybe should have thought that out more for various reasons, especially the loading door access. Stove is located in Family room, at one of house, 2200 SF Colonial 15 yrs old, which was well insulated for it's time. Insualtion is typical Builder Owens roll insulation, didn't have an option. If I had to do again, would apply spray insulation, but that's a mute issue now..... Any thoughts about the pellets I'm buring? N.E. Pellets versus Green Supreme ? Have burned both with different results. Thanks, Bigdog

The Following User Says Thank You to Blue Thunder For This Useful Post:
secondcurve (11-22-2014)

12-07-2015, 10:06 PM	#7
Greene's Basin Girl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 1,515 Thanks: 394 Thanked 527 Times in 269 Posts	My sister is burning with Green Team Supreme Platinum this year and she really likes them. Of course she has not used them much because it has been so warm. I am wondering if anyone else is using them???