6 Facts about Biomass Pellets
If you have, or are considering, biomass pellet fuel heating for your home, you may be wondering how such a small pellet could make such a difference when it comes to heating your home.
What are biomass pellets?
They are small pellets of compressed sawdust, the waste product produced from naturally dried wood.High-quality biomass pellets stay compressed in a hard pellet due to lignin, which is found naturally in wood. There is no need for glue in pellets, especially those produced by a reputable manufacturer.
What size of pellet should I buy?
There are different pellets on the market but a pellet stove will run on pellets that have a diameter between 6 and 8 mm and are 5 to 30mm in length. The size of the pellet depends on the mixture of woods used to make it.
What about density?
The denser the pellet, the longer it will last, and that means more heat at a cheaper cost to you. A good-quality biomass pellet will have a density of between 600kg/m³ and 750kg/m³. It’s important to consider the moisture point too. Opt for pellets with a moisture content between 5% and 8% (by weight).
How much heat do biomass pellets give off?
There are many benefits to pellets. A good-quality wood can give off a calorific value of 4.4kW/kg with a moisture content of 15% (that is, dried for 18 months), but biomass pellets have a higher calorific value of 4.9kW/kg.
How should pellets be stored?
For pellets to burn well, they should be stored in a damp-free area and be protected from dirt and other detritus that can affect how efficiently they burn.
Why opt for higher quality biomass pellets?
The poorer the quality of the pellet, the less well it will burn. You will also need to clean the grate and combustion chamber more often as the additives in cheap pellets will not burn well. Opting for high-quality biomass pellets will, in the long term, save you money. There are certifications to look for on pellets sold in the EU, such as the DINplus and O-Norm M7135 certificates.
