Pellet technology simple to operate

Boy, I wish I was getting a dollar for every question I get these days about converting to wood pellets!

Back around 1980, there was an attempt to manufacture wood pellets in Maine and sell Mainers on converting their wood stoves to burn pellets. It was a little ahead of its time. Then, oil prices took a nosedive, and the whole pellet enterprise went under.

It now seems like oil prices are not going to tank. They will remain high – hopefully not as high as they are right now – but with diminishing supplies, prices will be high.

I see this as an opportunity to not give so much money to countries that do not like us.

I would rather give my heating money to people who are my neighbors.

Wood pellet technology has improved many times over in the past 25 years. Pellet stoves have become just like central heating systems in the way they function. They operate with a thermostat and can turn themselves on and off. Just add pellets and keep it plugged in and you are good to go.

Then there are the true central heating systems that will replace or supplement your conventional boiler or furnace. These are the types of systems that Les Otten’s operation, Maine Energy Systems, is selling. They are very elegant European heating devices that cost about $10,000-plus for the basic system, uninstalled.

Years ago, I met Richard Trethewey, the plumber from “This Old House.” He referred to the systems he installs on the show and sells as being for “German Techno-Junkies.”

What a great line! I use it often.

This is how I view these European central systems. If you cruise around in the BMW Z3, they might be right up your alley. You can go in the basement and show it to guests and be rightly proud of your investment.

Unfortunately, this might not be practical for the average consumer. This is where the pellet stove comes in. A fancy traditional-looking cast iron pellet stove costs about $3,000. It will function like that big central system, but will put the heat right where you are – in the family room, living room or whatever room you spend the most time in.

And if your house is not too big, and it is fairly well insulated and is not a “McMansion,” you can make a major dent in your heating bill.

When we started doing the radio program about 20 years ago, oil was 80 cents a gallon.

People were reporting that they could halve their heating bill with pellets at a time when pellets cost more than oil.

Pellets are not a replacement for insulating and tightening up your home, but they can be a great supplement to those of us who do not want to mess with a wood stove. You have the convenience of turning up a thermostat and getting heat.

The automatic ignition and thermostatic control of the pellet stove is a major technological breakthrough that will help the economy of forested states like Maine.

One caveat: Everyone is thinking the same thing. You probably should be shopping for stoves and fuel early. It is going to be another long winter in a couple of months.

Questions for Tom Gocze should be sent to homefront@bangordailynews.net or mailed to The Home Page, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329. A library of his practical home-improvement videos, reference material and a home-project blog are at bangordailynews.com/thehomepage.