Heating your home with pellets offers our planet three ecological advantages over the burning of oil or propane: (1) pellets are sourced locally; (2) they’re a renewable resource; and (3) they’re carbon-better; even considered carbon neutral by many international standards.
A very high percentage of the pellets delivered to homes in New England are made from trees felled in New England and processed in New England mills. Delivering locally avoids the energy-waste of shipping by means of ocean-crossing tankers or long-distance trucking. In fact the energy costs to bring oil to the market are eleven times that of pellets.
Even better, “sustainable forest management” methods are mandated in federal- and state-managed forests; managers must apply cutting, seeding, and replanting methods designed to keep American forests renewed, thus providing a secure heating future for generations to come. Locally-sourced pellets also create jobs and helps keep local economies strong.
What’s more, wood pellets are clean-burning and carbon neutral. Fossil fuels, pulled from the earth or beneath the sea, release carbon dioxide into the air, contributing to global warming. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency deems wood pellets “carbon neutral,” since burning a tree releases no more carbon dioxide into the air than would be released if the tree had fallen and decayed naturally.
In the Northeast, home heating represents the single largest portion of energy costs for a typical family. If you ever find yourself thinking, “What can one person do?” heating your home with wood pellets is a tremendously effective option for reducing your carbon footprint while saving money on energy costs.