Q. How much does the system cost?
A. Pellergy Alpha Boiler System’s MSRP start at $9,999.00. The system includes our self cleaning, modulating wood pellet boiler package set up for manual feed. Options include different sized boilers, auto feed systems, bulk pellet storage and installation. More about pricing.
Q. Can I install my own system?
A. No. Unfortunately a home owner cannot install his/her own Pellergy system. It must be installed by a Certified System Installer. However, Pellergy will work with your local and trusted home heating professional to train them on the installation of our systems. Contact us for more information on getting your current home heating or plumbing contractor trained to install our systems.
Q. Are Pellergy system only for converting existing oil systems to wood pellets?
A. No, Pellergy offers fully tested and integrated wood pellet boiler packages, complete with bulk pellet storage bins. Our Pellergy Alpha boilers are fabricated in Austria for us by one of the world’s leading manufacturers in wood pellet heating: Windhager. We offer two different sizes of residential/light commercial boilers ranging from 60,000 btu/hr to 100,000 btu/hr for residential use and for commercial and larger load installations we offer Windhager’s BioWIN XL line of boiler that can be cascaded for up to 820MMBTU output. Check out our PRODUCTS page for full details and links to our product data sheets.
Q. Can the Pellergy Alpha boiler be direct vented?
A. Yes, Pellergy offers its installers a Power Vent option for sidewall venting the Alpha boiler. That said, most systems use a standard chimney or metalbestos-style of chimney meeting NFPA standard 211, or an equivalent mandated by local code.
Q. What if I want a new boiler/furnace or wish to keep my existing system as a backup, can I still use a Pellergy System?
A. Yes! Your Certified Installer will simply install a Pellergy Alpha boiler system as an add-on to your standard oil or wood fired boiler/furnace setup. Your installer can set up the Pellergy boiler to handle a majority of the heat load as the primary system and have the oil system as a backup.
Q. How much space is required for the system?
A. The Pellergy Alpha boiler has a footprint of 40.5″ (L) X 29″ (W) and stands 69″ (H) with the vacuum feed system installed. Additional clearances are required for combustible setbacks and overhead maintenance envelopes. Optional bulk pellet bins can be located up to 80 FT away from the boiler and come in various sizes. See our STORAGE page for more details on our bulk wood pellet bins.
Q. Is Thermal Storage required with the system?
A. Pellergy requires the use and installation of thermal storage with the Alpha Series boiler. The A-60 requires a single 119-gallon thermal storage tank, and the A-100 requires two, 119-gallon tanks. In certain high-mass systems, these thermal storage requirements may be met by the volume of water in the hydronic heating system; however in most systems, additional tanks are required. We have found over the years that, even though thermal storage costs more up front, the addition of water volume in the system can save as much as 15% in fuel costs over the life of the system. Overall, ANY pellet system will run more efficiently, cleaner and to the highest level of reliability with Thermal Storage. Additionally, most rebate and incentive programs, along with local and federal air quality regulations mandate the use of Thermal Storage to ensure the cleanest possible system operation.
Q. What kind of new controls are needed?
A. None. The Pellergy Alpha boiler comes with its own control panel. The system works with ALL of the existing controls of your present system. The Pellergy system is controlled by your existing thermostat and will use your existing heat distribution system just as an oil or gas boiler does.
Q. How does the Pellergy system provide heat?
A. When your thermostat calls for heat, the Pellergy Alpha boiler enters an auto-ignition mode just as your oil furnace does. The Pellergy ignition cycle takes approximately 8-10 minutes to achieve maximum heat production. Once the thermostat temperature setting is satisfied, the Pellergy unit shuts down and goes into standby mode until the next call for heat. During the firing mode, if one or more zones are satisfied or come on line, the Pellergy Alpha boiler will modulate its internal firing rate down to 30% of its total output to match the demand of your system. This increases overall system efficiency by eliminating start and stop cycling of the boiler. When thermal storage is incorporated into the system design, the boiler will only fire when the tanks fall in temperature.
Q. How are the pellet heating systems sized?
Basically, the heat load is set by current boiler rating and the heat load requirement of your home. Pellet boilers must be sized properly, and not oversized for the installation. An oversized boiler will cycle on and off many times per day thereby decreasing overall yearly efficiency and wear on the system. Pellergy experts will assist homeowners and installation professionals in properly sizing your pellet boiler. Most times, the boiler size is much smaller than an oil or gas system as we design a pellet boiler to run for many hours per day to maximize efficiency.
Q. Does the Pellergy System qualify for any tax credits, rebate programs, etc.?
A. Yes, Pellergy systems have been qualified for both the New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, and Massachusetts rebate programs as well as the federal tax credit. Always consult your tax advisor regarding your personal eligibility. If there is a rebate program in your area, contact the local program administrator or Pellergy and we will work with you to see if the system can qualify.
Q. Where are Pellergy systems manufactured?
Pellergy’s Alpha boilers are manufactured for us in Austria.
Q. How do I get a certified installer to look at my system?
A. You can send a request for a site visit. Your request will be directed to an installer in your area.
Q. Can my existing boiler be converted, how would a Pellergy burner mate to my boiler?
A. Following new EPA regulations issued as of May 2015, the PB-3550 and PB-1525 conversion burner systems are no longer available as a part of a wood pellet boiler package. These legacy products will continue to be supported by Pellergy until 2025 with spare parts, technical support and training.
Q. How will I know how much pellet fuel to purchase?
A. As an estimate, 1 ton of pellets is about equal to 120 gallons of #2 heating oil or 1 cord of wood.
Q. As a home owner, what does a Pellergy system require me to do in normal operations?
A. For a basic Pellergy Alpha installation, a home owner only has to do simple periodic maintenance. This requires about 5-minutes of labor, once every 2-3 tons of pellets. For an average sized home or business, this will be two to three times per year.
Once per year, your Pellergy Certified Installer will perform a yearly maintenance routine on the boiler, just like any oil or gas fired system. The Pellergy Alpha has been designed with the homeowner and technician in mind: Maintenance is low, easy and quick!
Q. I want to go away for two weeks in the Winter. Will the Pellergy system provide heat while I’m gone?
A. Yes, Unlike pellet stoves which are always on, Pellergy systems only run when there is a demand for heat. So feel free to set the thermostat to “low” and take off for a week, a month, or however long you have set up your wood pellet storage to last. Pellergy even provides an option that will monitor your system remotely using an internet connection and the mobile phone app. This can be set up to text/email your mobile phone in the event the systems stops running for any reason.
Q. Will a bank and/or insurance company recognize a Pellergy system as a source of heat?
A. Yes. Most banks and homeowner’s insurance companies will recognize a Pellergy system as a primary source of heat. Pellergy systems meet current requirements for a thermostatically controlled, automated central heating system. In fact, many financial institutions offer special low-interest rate loan packages for renewable wood pellet heating technologies.
Q. Who do I contact to purchase a Pellergy System?
A. Please submit this form for a free site visit and quote for your specific installation.
Q. What requirements are there to become an installer?
A. A background in hydronic heating systems, boiler repair and boiler stabilization is required. In Vermont, we require our Certified Installers to be licensed plumbers within the state. In other states, both an oil and solid fuel certificate are required. Pellergy Certified Installers must have up to date combustion analysis equipment to set up the burners and be customer service oriented. Holding a NORA Silver or Gold Certificate is a plus. Experience with other wood pellet boiler installations is even better!
Q. How do I become a Pellergy Certified Installer?
A. You must meet some minimum criteria: For starters, you must currently hold a technician license to work on central heating systems and solid fuel heating units in your State, County or City. You then have to be trained by Pellergy. Pellergy has many options for training including on-site training at our facility in Montpelier, VT as well as webinar, Skype and Facetime training sessions.
Q. I’m off the grid, how much electric does the Pellergy system draw?
A. A fully automated Pellergy Alpha boiler with vacuum transfer system requires a 20A (110V AC, 60Hz) circuit to operate. The vacuum is the largest consumer at 17.5 A, but will only run for 30-50 Seconds at a time, 4-5 times per day in normal heat load situations.