NDL Hearth Blog

Many homeowners in New Hampshire want to supplement their heating bills with wood pellets this winter. The reason, "Oil just isn't keeping us warm enough".

The state of New Hampshire has a program to make the switch more affordable.

"The intent of this program is to get people off of oil," says Barbara Bernstein of the Public Utilities Commission. "We have a rebate available up to $6,000 for wood pellet boilers or furnaces."

Although Wood Pellet Boilers are available, most homeowners are opting for pellet stoves to replace 70% to 90% of their oil use and gain a little bit of ambiance.

View the following video and contact us if you would like us to direct you to a pellet stove retailer in your area.

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Gone are days of the utilitarian, kind of ugly pellet stoves. Introducing Thelin Pellet stoves. Have you seen them? You need to.

Thelin designs a contemporary and classic series of pellet stoves so you can have heat along with beautiful design no matter your style of décor.

The contemporary pellet stove, the Tiburon, is no ordinary pellet stove. Built with sturdy steel construction, the contemporary design of the Tiburon Pellet Stove, along with an assortment of trim combinations, allows your stove to endure in function and in style. This stove is versatile. With its Panel System you can change the color, style or material of your pellet stove as your tastes and your décor change. In no time at all, with only hand tools, you can change the panels from metal to natural stone or change the vents to art deco. This contemporary pellet stove evolves with your life.

Thelin's Classic Series Pellet Stoves are designed with the traditional home in mind. Three stoves offer timeless heating solutions that are stylish yet durable. These stoves are timeless in their looks and will be the centerpiece of any room.

By-the-way, the Thelin Tiburon Pellet Stove won the 2010 Vesta Award for Pellet Products. This award recognizes and honors companies and products for innovation in design and technology.

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If you heat your home by burning wood, you are already thinking about that coldest night of the next winter. You know that unless you cut, split or buy, stack and store your firewood over the next few months, the wood stove in the living room or kitchen will be of little use.

Since Maine is the most forested state, we have a special relationship with firewood. But a more comprehensive study of that relationship, and its potential to wean Mainers off their high dependency on oil heat, is needed.

A recent radio talk show on WERU-FM gathered two College of the Atlantic professors and two COA students to talk about their recent study of wood heat in Hancock County. The take-away is that more people use wood heat than previously thought.

One COA professor said 10-year-old census data showed that about 11 percent of Mainers heated with wood, statistic state policymakers have been relying upon to guide their decisions. He believes, based on a survey of Hancock County households, closer to 55 percent of Mainers use wood heat. Of those, half use wood for at least half of their heat.

Interestingly, only 35 percent of those who burn wood cited cost as the reason. Instead, there are cultural factors at play.

The view of some who do not use wood heat could be summarized as, “I don’t heat with wood. My time is worth more than that.” Those who did use wood liked or took pride in the work involved, as seen in the old adage, “Wood heats you three times — when you cut it, split and burn it.”

The difference between those with oil heat and wood heat was further teased out in the COA analysis. The former were characterized as a “modern consumer family” who like turning a thermostat to make heat. They see heat as a service provided by professionals. Those who burn wood, the self-reliant “Maine Yankee” types, see heating as an activity, “something you do for yourself.”

The modern consumer family expects heat to remain constant and even. The Maine Yankee family likes getting near the stove to get warm.

The modern family sees heat like a waiter in a restaurant, at their beck and call. The Yankee family is engaged with wood heat, likes the look and feel of the wood, even enjoys the smell of smoke and revels in the stove’s ambiance.

Far from being a vanishing tradition, wood heat has a place in the 21st century. Given the supply of firewood and wood pellets in Maine, more can be done to maximize our use of it.

Original Article, Bangor Daily News

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As we attempt to reduce our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels, Biomass is one of our renewable energy options. People usually think of wood first, even though wood is a small part of biomass fuel potential.
 
Different biomass fuels burn differently, but generally each biomass in a compressed form, such as pellets, has a similar heat value, meaning they generate the same heat. The variation comes from the various biomass burners, such as pellet stove, fireplaces and inserts which have variables that affect the way bio fuels burn, such as changes in ash content, air intake, and corrosive effects.
 
Anything that can burn and decompose can be used as a biofuel. Biofuel is not new, but we have started thinking more about it as we watch our energy bills rise and hear more about carbon footprints.
 
So how can we use biomass? Burning wood logs saves in energy costs and is a form of renewable energy. Another answer, which many believe is the best answer, is a compressed form of wood; wood pellets. In a compressed form bio fuel, burns much more efficiently, are much more practical to transport, and dispensing or feeding the fuel into the pellet stove is easy and efficient.  With a compressed and uniform fuel source, such as pellets, the fuel makes pellet stoves efficient, economical and renewable.

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Food cooked on a Traeger grill simply tastes better… It is just that simple! If you have already tasted the Traeger difference at a backyard BBQ you know that food cooked on a Traeger pellet grill tastes better. Traeger provides rich flavors and taste to all dishes, turning even inexpensive cuts of meat into special occasions. Traeger grills cook with wood, wood pellets, so they make everything taste better. The pellets come in different flavors, hickory, cherry and mesquite.

No more hovering over the grill, with the Traeger, just turn the grill on, set your temperature and let your Traeger do the work. Walk away, take a nap, or spend quality time with friends and family. No hassles, just great results. You will be amazed at how simple award winning outdoor cooking can be.  Even better, with a Traeger grill, there is no need to worry about ruining the main course due to a flare-up.

This grill is healthier for the family too. It utilizes an indirect cooking system, which reduces fat and reduces the burning or charring of meats which creates carcinogens.  With flavorful wood as a fuel there is no need to worry about gas or the nasty effects of charcoal.

Traeger grills are the ultimate in cooking versatility. Use it as a grill, BBQ, smoker, or a wood-fired convection oven. Steak, brisket, prime rib, hamburgers, pork loin, veggie kabobs, pizza, even cookies and biscuits are so simple! With Traeger, your imagination is your only limitation. A Traeger does it all!

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Surely this winter you have been to a home that has felt cozy, welcoming and warm with a fire burning the fireplace. Fireplaces instill a sense of warmth and security in any room. The firelight sends a sense of calm through the atmosphere. You can have this in your home too, with Vermont Castings Wood Burning Fireplace.

The heat generated by a Vermont Castings wood burning fireplace is just the beginning. The room feels welcome, with a cheerful and relaxing ambience, but also, the Sequoia Wood Burning Fireplace by Vermont Castings can heat up to a 2,500 square foot home as efficiently as a wood stove. Efficiency and beauty are combined in this fireplace design.

And, they are less expensive than you think. But, thanks to newer fireplace technology, the efficiency of a Vermont Castings fireplace drives down your heating costs. Wood is a cost effective, efficient and comforting way to heat your home. Not to mention the traditional look of a wood burning fireplace brings people more comfort, and provides a focal point to your room. You’ll notice the fire becoming the gathering place in the evenings. Contact us at 866-602-7227 for more information on any Vermont Castings Products.

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Creosote buildup inside your chimney is the primary reason you will need to have the chimney cleaned, and it is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote is one of the chemical products of “incomplete combustion of fuel”. It is one of byproducts of burning fires that is carried up your chimney through the flue to be vented safely outside.

There are several steps you can take to minimize creosote condensation inside your chimney. The first and easiest is to always burn well seasoned wood in your fireplace or woodstove. Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has high water content so it burns cooler with more smoke. Cooler burning and more smoke both contribute to creosote buildup in your chimney.

You also want the most complete combustion of your wood that is possible for your fireplace or woodstove. Meaning, you want to burn the wood in the fire as completely as you can at a hot temperature. A small, hot fire burns the fuel more completely than a large, cooler fire.

Non-toxic and environmentally safe creosote cleaner is also sold. Creosote cleaner, which you can spray inside your fireplace or wood stove, and on the wood within the firebox, helps prevent chimney fires, and turns dangerous creosote and soot into a harmless ash or char that can be easily removed. Once your fire is lit, creosote cleaner helps reduce the amount of buildup in your chimney and helps breakdown the creosote that exists there from previous fires. Although sprays do decrease the creosote, it by no means is a real substitute for a regular chimney sweeping.

However, anti creosote sprays are a great addition to your cleaning repertoire, helping prevent the creosote from becoming too solid. Spraying your fireplace or wood stove regularly is a very good idea for chimney maintenance.

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Pellet stoves are probably the easiest stove to operate. Add this to the fact that pellet stoves are efficient, economical and use renewable energy and they are a win win for any home. Pellet stoves today are very convenient for the homeowner with a busy lifestyle, or those who just do not want to fuss over their stove. Typically, you only need to load a pellet stove with wood pellets 1-2 times per day, depending on the size of stove and the hopper. Because their burn efficiency is so high, pellet stoves do not produce any smoke, little ash and as a result require low maintenance cleaning.

They are also perfect for a home setting because as they burn, the exterior of the stove remains merely warm to the touch. There is virtually no external heat on the outside of the stove. Because of this, you can place the stove very close to a wall, and they remain safe for homes with young children and pets.

The pellet burning process is very efficient making less pollutants and particles that are released into the air. Additionally, wood pellets are actually made from the byproduct of wood; they are not the primary product. They are mainly produced from recycled wood at sawmills, usually sawdust, wood shavings and some forms of nuts. This makes the big advantage of pellet stoves the costs of fuel. Using a pellet stove could create significant cost savings in your heating bill. So, not only will you have a beautiful, easy to use stove in your home, you will be paying less to heat your home, while using renewable energy to do it! Consider a pellet stove to help heat your home this winter.

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Last night, the House voted 177 to 148 in favor of the $858 billion Tax Cut Compromise Package of 2010 that reduces the biomass heater tax credit to 10 percent with a $300 cap. The bill now goes to the White House for the President's signature. Another significant change that further restricts the tax credit for biomass appliances is that Congress removed the lower heating value measurement and only allows the credit toward the purchase price and not for installation.

Energy efficiency provisions were shortchanged even further by a clause that says the $500 tax credit is a lifetime maximum, meaning that if a homeowner has used this credit anytime since 2005, it cannot be used again. During the past two years, the credit up to $1,500 could be used regardless of whether the family has used the credit between 2005 and 2009.

The reduction to 10 percent tax credit affects all energy efficiency measures that had enjoyed 30 percent credit for the past two years. Many members of Congress felt the 25C tax credit program had cost the government too much money and should not be extended in its current form at 30 percent up to $1,500.

This setback for incentives for wood and pellet heating systems is a result of biomass appliances being considered an energy efficiency device instead of a renewable energy system. Solar, wind and geothermal systems still enjoy the full 30 percent tax credit with no maximum and are not set to expire until 2016.

"This creates a terrible double standard for incentives between renewable energy systems favored and affordable by the wealthy and systems favored and affordable by average American families," said John Ackerly, president of the Alliance for Green Heat. "Fortunately, we understand that Congress will be revisiting these tax credits again in 2011 and advocates for cleaner and more efficient biomass appliances need to be prepared," he said. Instead of using tax credits based on a percentage of purchase and installation costs, Congress is likely to consider performance-based credits.

This report prepared by the Alliance for Green Heat.

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Our fires are lit, and you surely remember the dry air inside your home from winters past. For the health of both your family and the wood furniture in your home, consider how you will humidify your home this winter. One of the most practical fireplace accessories on the market today is a wood stove steamer.

At NDL, we offer steamers in many shapes and sizes manufactured by Condar, Minuteman, Imperial and Last Waltz Clay Studio. These steamers come in styles that range from traditional teapots, to animal shapes, to hand-made and hand-glazed clay designs. With this many varieties and manufacturers, you are sure to find one to match your style. They are quite easy to use, just fill them with water and place it on the stove. You may also turn these steamers into aromatherapy solutions by adding potpourri, spices, or stove scents to the water. Once the steam begins to be released into your home, it not only becomes a room humidifier, but it will release the sweet smell of fragrance as well.

Wood stove steamer add decorative value to your home. Due to their unique shape and quality, just leave these decorative pieces on the wood burning stove for all to see. If you wish to add a unique touch to your home or you need extra humidity; a wood stove steamer is what you are looking for.

Of course, NDL offers a full range of fireplace accessories including fireplace glass doors, fireplace tool sets, chimney caps, and ash buckets. Let us direct you to the finest hearth dealer in your area. Contact us today.

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