A pellet machine, or pellet mill as it’s most commonly known, is quite possibly the most important piece of equipment that you’ll need if you’re going to make wood pellets. The pellet mills sole task is to transform your biomass or wood waste into fully formed and utilizable pellets. Doesn’t sound so difficult does it? Well, it may sound easy, but the devil’s in the details as they say. Even though the concept of making pellets, aka pelletization, is simple to grasp, taming the process of making wood pellets is not so straightforward. Between understanding the idiosyncrasies of the pellet mill and the subtleties of using different wood and biomass materials to make pellets, initially learning how to make wood pellets can have a very steep learning curve.

The simple fact is that the pellet mill does one thing: It forms pellets. What makes pelletization tricky is the many variables associated with the different types of biomass or wood raw materials used to produce pellets. When most people start out, they mistakenly blame their pellet mill rather than fully understanding that the raw materials they are using are the reason for their problems. I can’t stress enough how useful you’ll find this guide on how to make pellets. With that said, lets take a closer look at the pellet mills themselves.

First of all, there are two basic types of pellet mills. The ring die type, and the flat plate die type. As their names imply, the differences between the two machines are the type of die that’s used to form the pellets. These pellet mills also employ some type of gear reduction system that’s used to drive the rollers that in turn feed the material through the dies.

Ring die type pellet machines are a little different than their flat plate die siblings. The die is in the form of a ring, and the rollers force the materials through the die from the inside of the ring to the outside. Ring die type pellet mills are normally used in commercial production environments, and as such their prices and outputs are significantly higher. If you’re interested in making wood pellets to sell commercially, this is the type of pellet mill that you’d typically use.

Here’s a good video demonstration of the flow through a large commercial ring die type pellet machine:

The flat plate die pellet mill uses a flat plate die. This die is a thick flat “plate” made of metal with holes drilled through it. On top of this die ride the rollers. Raw material is dropped down onto the die, and the rollers turn and force or push the materials in an extrusion process through the flat plate die. When they exit the flat plate die, they’re in the form of a pellet. These pellet machines are much simpler in construction than the ring die type pellet machines, and are much less expensive. They’re also the type of pellet mill that most homeowners use when they’re making their own wood or biomass pellets.

Here’s a great example of what the rollers and dies look like and how easy it is to change them out:

Flat plate pellet machines can either be powered by an engine (gas, diesel, lp), an electric motor, or a powered take off (p.t.o) unit on a tractor. If you’re going to go with an electric motor powered unit, make sure you have enough power capacity where you’ll be using it. Also, make sure you factor in the costs of upgrading your electrical system, or the costs associated with wiring it into your electrical system. Even though this is a one time cost, it will still affect your return on investment.

A few other caveats you should pay attention to before you buy. Don’t forget that pellet mills are high wear equipment. The dies and rollers will need to be replaced on occasion. Just how often will depend on the production rate and the type of raw material or feedstock that you will be using to make pellets. And unless you’re buying a larger commercial unit, most of the smaller less expensive units are made in china, therefore parts are more difficult to source.

This is becoming less of a problem though due to the rise in popularity of small pellet mills and the fact that many people are selling replacement parts that are locally manufactured. Most any machine shop can easily manufacture whatever part you need, although it may be somewhat expensive if you’re buying parts one piece at a time.

Another thing to keep in mind is their energy usage. Pelletization is a rather energy intensive operation, and as such requires a fair amount of energy input. Be careful to factor in these power costs as this will directly influence the total cost of your homemade pellets.

And last of all, remember that practice makes perfect. Making pellets isn’t a plug and play process. There is a definite learning curve that will need to be surmounted. This will be especially true if you’re planning on using biomass waste, as it seems to be more difficult to pelletize than wood waste material. Note though that it’s more difficult, not impossible.

Make Wood Pellets

22 hp Biomass Pellet Mill: Make feed or fuel pellets Friday, 18 May 2012, 6:15 pm

US $3,995.00 End Date: Friday May-25-2012 11:15:08 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $3,995.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Wood Pellet Mill 7.5 hp. Make your own fuel pellets from 100% sawdust. Friday, 18 May 2012, 6:15 pm

US $3,995.00 End Date: Friday May-25-2012 11:15:08 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $3,995.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM 7000 201 202 Pellet Mill Die 22.5 in diameter 5/8 hole with 1-7/8 effective Thursday, 17 May 2012, 9:50 pm

US $1,000.00 End Date: Saturday Jun-16-2012 14:55:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,000.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM 700 201 202 pellet mill die 22.5 in dia. 1/4 in hole with 3 inch effective Thursday, 17 May 2012, 9:41 pm

US $3,750.00 End Date: Saturday Jun-16-2012 14:46:58 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $3,750.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM 700 201 202 pellet mill die 22.5 in dia. 3/4 in hole with 4-9/16 effective Thursday, 17 May 2012, 9:32 pm

US $2,750.00 End Date: Saturday Jun-16-2012 14:37:35 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $2,750.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM 700 201 202 pellet mill die 22.5 in dia. 1/4 in hole with 1-3/8 effective Thursday, 17 May 2012, 9:27 pm

US $1,200.00 End Date: Saturday Jun-16-2012 14:32:49 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,200.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Fulling Mill Scorpion Zig Bugs 4pk PELLET / DOG MIXER BARBED Carp Fishing Thursday, 17 May 2012, 3:24 pm

US $9.47 End Date: Saturday Jun-16-2012 8:29:14 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $9.47 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM 7000 201 202 Pellet Mill Die 22.5 in diameter 5/8 hole with 4-3/4 effective Wednesday, 16 May 2012, 10:16 pm

US $3,200.00 End Date: Friday Jun-15-2012 15:21:42 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $3,200.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Sprout Waldron pellet mill die for 21 inch mill 5/32 hole; 1-7/8 effective Wednesday, 16 May 2012, 10:06 pm

US $900.00 End Date: Friday Jun-15-2012 15:11:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $900.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Sprout 26 inch Pellet Mill Die 1/4 inch hole with 2 -- 1/8 effective straight Tuesday, 15 May 2012, 9:32 pm

US $1,800.00 End Date: Thursday Jun-14-2012 14:37:35 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,800.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Sprout 26 inch Pellet Mill Die 1/4 inch hole with 2 -- 1/8 effective tapered Tuesday, 15 May 2012, 9:25 pm

US $1,400.00 End Date: Thursday Jun-14-2012 14:30:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,400.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW Bliss Pellet Mill Die 34 -3/4 diameter 23/64 inch hole 3 -3/4 inch effective Tuesday, 15 May 2012, 3:49 pm

US $5,000.00 End Date: Thursday Jun-14-2012 8:54:54 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $5,000.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW CPM Century 16 inch Pellet Mill Die 1/4n inch Hole with 1 3/4 inch Effective Monday, 14 May 2012, 7:09 pm

US $2,250.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-13-2012 12:14:03 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $2,250.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM Century 16 inch Pellet Mill Die 3/16 hole with 7/8 effective Monday, 14 May 2012, 6:52 pm

US $500.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-13-2012 11:57:29 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $500.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM Century Pellet Mill 16 inch Die 5/32 inch hole with 1 -- 11/16 effective Monday, 14 May 2012, 6:45 pm

US $1,200.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-13-2012 11:50:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,200.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM Century Pellet Mill Die 16 inch die 1/4 inch hole with 2 inch effective Monday, 14 May 2012, 6:30 pm

US $1,200.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-13-2012 11:35:29 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,200.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW CPM Century 16 inch Pellet Mill Die with 3/8 hole and 2-1/8 effective Monday, 14 May 2012, 6:19 pm

US $1,800.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-13-2012 11:24:30 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,800.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM 16 in Pellet Mill Die For Century Pellet Mill 1/4 inch with 1-5/8 effective Monday, 14 May 2012, 6:09 pm

US $1,500.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-13-2012 11:14:19 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,500.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Myers/Akro Mills Grow Pellets Greenhouse Kit 20 Grow RZG0020 Monday, 14 May 2012, 6:02 pm

US $6.89 End Date: Wednesday Jun-13-2012 11:07:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $6.89 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Myers/Akro Mills Grow Pellets Greenhouse Kit 20 Grow RZG0020 Monday, 14 May 2012, 6:02 pm

US $8.69 End Date: Wednesday Jun-13-2012 11:07:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $8.69 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM 201 202 7000 Pellet Mill Die 22.5 diameter 11/64 in. with 2-1/4 effective Monday, 14 May 2012, 5:59 pm

US $2,250.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-13-2012 11:04:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $2,250.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM Model 7122 Pellet Mill Plant Monday, 7 May 2012, 11:25 pm

US $235,000.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-06-2012 16:25:43 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $235,000.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Myers/Akro Mills 50 Fiber Grow Pellets Greenhouse Kit RZG0050 Saturday, 5 May 2012, 2:02 am

US $12.58 End Date: Sunday Jun-03-2012 19:07:36 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $12.58 Buy it now | Add to watch list

REBUILT Sprout Waldron Andritz 501H Pellet Mill Feeder Conditioner 150hp Motor Thursday, 3 May 2012, 11:38 pm

US $49,000.00 End Date: Saturday Jun-02-2012 16:43:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $49,000.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Used CPM Model 7800 250HP Pellet Mill with 30" die and force feeder Wednesday, 18 April 2012, 9:41 pm

US $79,500.00 End Date: Sunday Jun-17-2012 14:46:23 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $79,500.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM 7800 or CPM 7830 Pellet Mill Rolls for 30 inch die California Pellet Mill Tuesday, 3 April 2012, 9:58 pm

US $1,900.00 End Date: Saturday Jun-02-2012 15:03:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,900.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Refurbuished CME 30 HP Belt Drive Pellet Mill Monday, 19 March 2012, 9:08 pm

US $17,500.00 End Date: Sunday Jun-17-2012 14:13:37 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $17,500.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM Master Pellet Mill Stainless Feed Cone with Clamp Monday, 6 February 2012, 7:39 pm

US $575.00 End Date: Tuesday Jun-05-2012 12:44:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $575.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

USED CPM California Pellet Mill 26 FT Pellet Cooler Horizontal Cooler Monday, 23 January 2012, 10:08 pm

US $25,000.00 End Date: Tuesday May-22-2012 15:13:51 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $25,000.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pellet Mill Technical Guide on Wood Pellet Production Friday, 23 December 2011, 3:48 am

US $17.99 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 20:53:46 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $17.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Ceramic Finishing Abrasive Media Pellets Polish Metal Ball Mill 3/4"Lx1/4"W Saturday, 24 September 2011, 5:35 pm

US $400.00 End Date: Monday May-21-2012 10:40:16 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $400.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Vintage Master Mix Egglac Pellets McMillen Feed Mills sack Thursday, 8 September 2011, 2:24 pm

US $28.00 End Date: Monday Jun-04-2012 7:29:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $28.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

PELLET MILL 13HP GAS ENGINE WOOD & BIOMASS PELLET PRESS Monday, 30 May 2011, 7:10 am

US $2,295.00 End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 0:15:47 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $2,295.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

PELLET MILL 4HP 3KW ELECTRIC PELLET PRESS 1 PHASE 220V Monday, 30 May 2011, 6:35 am

US $1,695.00 End Date: Wednesday May-23-2012 23:40:03 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,695.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

PELLET MILL 5HP 4KW ELECTRIC 330 LBS/HR PELLET PRESS Monday, 30 May 2011, 6:22 am

US $1,995.00 End Date: Wednesday May-23-2012 23:27:29 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,995.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

PELLET MILL 6.5HP GAS ENGINE 330 LBS/HR PELLET PRESS Monday, 11 April 2011, 6:37 am

US $1,995.00 End Date: Sunday Jun-03-2012 23:42:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,995.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pelletmill Conditioner 201 or 7000 CPM Pellet Mills Wednesday, 2 March 2011, 12:09 am

US $8,500.00 End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 17:14:33 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $8,500.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Sprout Pellet Mill 150 hp, 501-HD-L ,Wood Pellet Mill Tuesday, 15 February 2011, 2:35 am

US $92,500.00 End Date: Friday Jun-08-2012 19:40:12 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $92,500.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pellet Mill Friday, 14 January 2011, 9:46 pm

US $500,000.00 End Date: Thursday Jun-07-2012 14:51:00 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $500,000.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM Pellet Mill Die For 200/201/ 7000 Pelletmill 22.5" Thursday, 18 November 2010, 11:27 pm

US $4,000.00 End Date: Sunday Jun-10-2012 16:32:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $4,000.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Used Landers Pellet Mill -- Model 50 -- With 200 HP Motor Wednesday, 1 September 2010, 3:09 pm

US $42,000.00 End Date: Wednesday May-23-2012 8:14:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $42,000.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pellet Mill Feeder / Conditioner CPM Sprout Pelletmill Monday, 28 June 2010, 7:00 pm

US $11,500.00 End Date: Sunday Jun-17-2012 12:05:06 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $11,500.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Product Conditioner For Wood /Feed/ Biomass Pellet Mill Wednesday, 23 June 2010, 5:33 pm

US $8,900.00 End Date: Tuesday Jun-12-2012 10:38:05 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $8,900.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

WOOD PELLET MILL 30HP 550 LBS/HR DIESEL PELLET PRESS Thursday, 3 June 2010, 6:56 am

US $10,995.00 End Date: Wednesday May-23-2012 0:01:43 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $10,995.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

WOOD PELLET MILL 40HP 770 LBS/HR DIESEL PELLET PRESS Thursday, 3 June 2010, 6:19 am

US $15,995.00 End Date: Tuesday May-22-2012 23:24:29 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $15,995.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Rebuilt CPM Master Pellet Mill For Making Feed Pellets / Cubes with warranty Wednesday, 28 April 2010, 3:19 am

US $19,500.00 End Date: Friday Jun-15-2012 20:24:49 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $19,500.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

MAKE WOOD PELLETS WITH A PELLET MILL for PELLET STOVE Tuesday, 6 April 2010, 9:04 pm

US $29.98 End Date: Friday May-25-2012 14:09:07 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $29.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CME10 HP Flat Die Pellet Mill Pelletmill -- BELT DRIVE Thursday, 25 March 2010, 10:54 pm

US $5,900.00 End Date: Tuesday Jun-12-2012 15:59:05 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $5,900.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

New CME Pellet Mill 3 HP belt drive w/ flat die & rolls Thursday, 25 March 2010, 5:26 pm

US $3,900.00 End Date: Tuesday Jun-12-2012 10:31:43 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $3,900.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM 7000 series pellet mill rollshaft labyrinth seals Sunday, 14 March 2010, 2:41 pm

US $175.00 End Date: Friday Jun-01-2012 7:46:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $175.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM 7000 series pellet mill rollshaft. New. HT & Ground Sunday, 14 March 2010, 2:28 pm

US $550.00 End Date: Friday Jun-01-2012 7:33:37 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $550.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CPM Century Pellet Mill Die 16" Ring Pelletmill Die Friday, 12 March 2010, 1:35 am

US $1,500.00 End Date: Tuesday May-29-2012 18:40:54 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,500.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

50hp CPM Pellet Mill NH-395135 for Wood or Feed Rebuilt Monday, 22 February 2010, 5:24 pm

US $50,000.00 End Date: Monday Jun-11-2012 10:29:28 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $50,000.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

DIY HAMMER MILL / MULCHER PLANS, FOR PELLET MILL Sunday, 3 January 2010, 2:40 pm

US $19.98 End Date: Tuesday May-22-2012 7:45:58 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $19.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

WOOD PELLET MILL 7.5HP 5.5KW 120 LBS/HR PELLET PRESS Sunday, 3 January 2010, 7:08 am

US $4,095.00 End Date: Tuesday May-22-2012 0:13:14 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $4,095.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Roll Shaft pin for 26 inch Sprout Pellet Mill, New Saturday, 21 November 2009, 8:36 pm

US $575.00 End Date: Friday Jun-08-2012 13:41:07 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $575.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Shear Pin for 26 inch Sprout Pellet Mill, 3/4" neck dia Saturday, 21 November 2009, 7:04 pm

US $4.00 End Date: Friday Jun-08-2012 12:09:22 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $4.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Shear Pin for 26 inch Sprout Pellet Mill, 7/8" neck dia Saturday, 21 November 2009, 7:02 pm

US $4.00 End Date: Friday Jun-08-2012 12:07:02 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $4.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

New and Used Andritz Sprout Pellet Mill 32 Inch Dies Thursday, 19 March 2009, 11:41 pm

US $2,600.00 End Date: Friday Jun-01-2012 16:46:00 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $2,600.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

RECONDITIONED CPM 100HP US MADE PELLET MILL WOOD/FEED Thursday, 19 March 2009, 11:18 pm

US $32,500.00 End Date: Friday Jun-01-2012 16:23:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $32,500.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

USED 200 HP SPROUT-BAUER PELLET MILL (PARTS ONLY) Thursday, 6 November 2008, 8:50 pm

US $6,250.00 End Date: Monday Jun-18-2012 13:55:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $6,250.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

It’s been over 30 years now since wood pellets were first brought onto the market as a viable home heating alternative designed to replace fuel oil and natural gas. In those 30 plus years, thousands of people have converted their home heating systems over to a pellet based fuel. And if you ask most of them their thoughts on heating with wood pellets, you’re likely to get a generally positive opinion.

Admittedly, back in the 70′s when pellet fuels first appeared on the market, the heating appliances that burned them were often problematic, and not quite ready for widespread adoption. But the good news is that those days are long since gone.

Today’s modern pellet fired heaters and furnaces have been thoroughly tested and engineered to provide years of great service. With minimal maintenance, a high quality pellet stove or furnace will easily pay for itself in no time. And if you factor in the outrageously high prices of conventional fossil fuels and other high priced energy sources, the payback is even sooner. It doesn’t really take a rocket scientist to see just how good of an investment switching to wood pellets can be.

And if you’re still not convinced, here’s even more reason to consider going with a wood or biomass pellet fired heating system. From now until the end of 2010, you can get a tax credit on any biomass stove that’s used for heat or to heat water – 30% of cost, up to $1,500.

Direct from the government’s EnergyStar Website:

Question:
Is there a tax credit for corn, pellet, or wood-burning stoves?
Answer:
There is a federal tax credit for biomass fuel stoves (used for heat or water heating) ” placed in service” in 2009 and 2010 for 30% of the cost (including installation) up to $1,500. The stoves must have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75% as measured using a lower heating value.

The law defines “biomass fuel” as any plant-derived fuel available on a renewable or recurring basis, including agricultural crops and trees, wood and wood waste and residues (including wood pellets), plant (including aquatic plants), grasses, residues, and fibers.

We do not know of a comprehensive list of qualified biomass stoves. The best way to find stoves that qualify for the tax credit is to ask your retailer. To verify tax credit eligibility, ask your retailer to provide the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement for the stove you plan to purchase or search on the Manufacturer’s website.

Even though the installed appliance must meet certain minimum efficiency requirements, it’s typically not a problem as most modern pellet stoves, pellet furnaces, and pellet water heaters easily achieve this target.

Not even counting all the environmental benefits of using wood or biomass pellets, it’s hard not to see just how beneficial they are. You’ll help the environment, save a ton of money, and most importantly stay toasty warm!

Do you have a forced air heating system and are sick of paying insane amounts of money on heating costs? If so, you may want to consider supplementing your current system with the US Stoves Multi-Fuel Furnace, Model# 6500.

I installed this model in my father’s house last winter, and I have to say it’s an excellent quality furnace. Built with heavy gauge metal with seemingly flawless manufacturing, (all welds, drilled holes, fit and finish, and assembly looked perfect), it’s definitely not your run of the mill big box store offering.

My father had previously installed a new oil fired hot air furnace in his house about 5 years ago, but since the last huge spike in heating oil prices, he’s been very apprehensive about using oil as a primary fuel source. When I was growing up, he’d always used hardwood, but now that he’s older and has a couple replacement hips, he can’t deal with all the work required when heating with wood. So he decided on pellets, since they’re readily available where he lives – there’s even a new pellet manufacturing plant about 30 miles from his house. Note though that this IS a multi-fuel furnace that’s capable of burning a bunch of different biomass materials including corn, silage, biomass pellets, soybeans, cherry and olive pits, and many others.

In any event, he ruled out a pellet stove since it would require him to carry the bags of pellets from the basement where he stored them, upstairs to the stove on a daily basis. Not to mention, he’s got a huge old farmhouse that’s not exactly well insulated and draft free. It would take a VERY large pellet stove to heat his house, and even then heat delivery to all rooms would probably be impossible or very uncomfortable.

And since we’d recently put in a new hot air furnace, he already had new duct work in place, including an easily accessible plenum with plenty of open area to tie the pellet furnace into.

Setup was a breeze, and only required a minor amount of duct work and alterations to tie into the existing system. Likewise, the venting was a snap. You really have to love pellet stoves just for their flue requirements alone!

One caveat that you really should do is to FIRE THIS FURNACE UP OUTSIDE BEFORE YOU INSTALL IT. Unfortunately I wasn’t aware of this before I installed it. The first time you use this furnace, it will burn off the factory applied paint and oils that are on it. It WILL produce a lot of nasty smelly smoke. Luckily, there were windows in the basement that could be opened up. But unless you want to have to deal with starting the stove and adjusting it with a haze of smoke surrounding you, I’d STRONGLY recommend pre-firing this furnace to burn off all the oil and paint that will inevitably produce fumes and smoke.

So after a heating season, he’s had absolutely zero problems yet, and it’s heated his home for MUCH less than it would have cost had he used the oil-fired system. The good part is that I installed this pellet furnace and tied it into his existing system, so that he still has his old oil fired furnace as a backup should anything happen to the pellet furnace, or the unlikely event that it’s ever cheaper to heat with oil again. He also said that the house is much warmer with the pellet furnace, and I suspect that it is. The reason is probably because he wasn’t afraid to turn the heat up like he was when he was heating with oil, not that the oil furnace wouldn’t adequately heat the house.

If I hadn’t already invested in a wood furnace a couple years back, I’d install one of these units in a heartbeat. In fact, once my wood supply runs out in a couple years, I too may switch over to pellets.

Check Current Pricing at Northern
Check Current Pricing at Ebay

Specs:

Rated Heat output – 81,000 BTUs/hr.
Rated effective heating capacity of 2,200 sq.ft.
3” smoke pipe outlet
dimensions = 25.5” W x 47” H x 35.5” D.
Weight = 400 lbs.