Brownian Heating Technology

Pellet fuels are produced locally, cost dramatically less than fossil fuels, reduce dependence on foreign fuel suppliers, and help to protect our environment.

Brownian Heating Technology carries the Pinnacle/Traeger central heating appliances (models GBU070, GBU130, PB150) in its line-up of high-efficiency heating products. These appliances (including both furnaces and hot-water boilers) are fueled by pellet fuel which is produced by local mills, and the manufacturer has 25 years of experience producing safe, reliable equipment. Unlike cordwood, which has to be split and manually loaded into a firebox, pellet fuel is fed by an automatic system from a hopper into a burner. The hopper holds enough fuel for one or two days in typical residential use, and is loaded from convenient bags of pellets which most homeowners can easily handle. Automatic feeding brings these appliances close to the same convenience level as typical oil- or gas-fired furnaces and boilers.

Pellet fuel is produced by local pellet mills, using scrap wood from lumber processes and harvested wood that is unsuitable for lumber use. The wood is ground up and then compressed in molds to the point that its natural resins cause it to form solid pellets, which are then dried. The dry pellets burn very efficiently, and the consistent shape, density, and heat content of pellet fuel allows automatic feeding in much the same way that the known properties of chemically-refined fossil fuels allow them to be used by automatic burners.

The local-production aspect of pellet fuel helps to reduce dependence on volatile foreign oil producers and supports our local economy. Pellet fuel can be produced from wood which would otherwise be wasted, and since wood itself is a renewable resource, the environmental benefits of pellet fuel are significant. Pellet fuel can be delivered in bulk by several suppliers in the area, and the cost when purchased in the quantities used for central heating is roughly half the cost of fuel oil. In many cases, neighbors can get together and order a bulk delivery, then split the cost.

Pellet-fueled furnaces and boilers are typically installed “parallel” to a oil- or gas-fired furnace or boiler, in order to provide automatic backup heating in the event that the pellet appliance does not get re-fueled (for example, if the owner goes away on a vacation). For commercial, institutional, and industrial applications, the fueling and maintenance of the pellet-fueled appliance can be delegated to an employee; the automatic nature of the feeding process reduces or eliminates potential liability risks that can be involved with other solid-fuel appliances.

Combustion efficiency is similar to conventional oil- and gas-fired boilers. Maintenance demands (ash removal, cleaning of heat exchangers) are present, but not near as large as are involved with heating using wood, since pellets are highly-standardized and very clean-burning.

These products can also be used with dried corn as a fuel, as well. While corn is not as useful a fuel in this area as wood pellets, it is very nice to know that the system is flexible, and adaptable to some changes in the heating market.

Pellet fuel is an ideal heating fuel for a diverse segment of the populace of New Hampshire, whether their goals are cost savings, environmental benefits, or reduced dependence on volatile foreign fuel sources. The convenience of pellets make this fuel an excellent “bridge,” allowing individuals who cannot dedicate the time and effort needed to heat with cordwood to still gain high levels of energy independence and save a large percentage of their heating costs.