Q. How much does the system cost?
A. The Pellergy System’s MSRP start at $3,950. The system includes: pellet gun, day bin, controls, auger, and standard interface for mounting the unit to your boiler. 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.
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 bins and hoppers. Our boilers are all fabricated right here in the USA and are ASME rated. We offer three different sizes of boilers ranging from 60,000 btu/hr to 175,000 btu/hr in both steel and cast iron construction. Check out our PRODUCTS page for full details and links to our product data sheets.
Q. Will Pellergy work on my direct vent boiler?
A. Not yet, but we’re working in it! The boiler must be chimney vented with a minimum -0.03 Inches H2O draft. Chimneys must meet NFPA standard 211, an equivalent or that mandated by local code.
Q. If I want to convert my existing boiler, what size boiler works best?
A. A 4-section boiler with Minimum of 100,000 btu/hr input rating and a firebox with a minimum of 12 inches of depth that is currently fired on oil or wood work best for our PB-3550 system. Smaller boilers/furnaces that provide a good sized firebox and that can allow for pellet ash buildup may be a good fit for our (smaller) PB-1525 burner system.
In general, pin type heat exchanger boilers are not a good fit for a conversion burner. These boilers do not allow for the collection of fly ash between cleanings and efficiency is poor.
Most triple pass boilers work well with our conversion burners and allow for reasonable levels of ash buildup between required cleanings.
When converting from oil to wood pellets using a Pellergy wood pellet burner, the burners are set up to fire at a maximum 65% of the rated input firing rate of the boiler on oil. Lowering the input firing rate allows for extended run times on the boiler, higher operational efficiency and system efficiency. If heat load is a concern, buffer tanks can be used for surge capacity and provide greater system efficiency.
Most cord wood and other solid fuel boilers (chip, coal, etc) can be fired with a Pellergy conversion burner system.
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 mate a Pellergy burner system to a 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. I have Steam Heat. Will this work?
A. Yes! The Pellergy system will fire existing steam systems. Better yet, mating a Pellergy burner system to a Burnham MegaSteam boiler results in the only wood pellet fired, triple-pass, higher efficiency steam boiler available anywhere! Pellergy systems have been used for the past four heating seasons with Steam Heat applications. Some photos of these systems can be seen on our web site gallery. Both the PB-3550 and PB-1525 wood pellet burner systems have been coupled to Burnham MegaSteam boilers and fired in commercial and residential applications. Consult your Certified Installer for proper boiler and burner sizing.
Q. How much space is required for the system?
A. The 550 LBS pellet bin has a footprint of 4FT X 2FT and stands 4FT high. This bin must be located within 10FT of the Pellergy burner which will mount to the front of your boiler. Optional installations include larger bulk pellet bins and the use of larger bins and a flexible auger system to feed the standard 550 LBS hopper. See our STORAGE page for more details on our bulk wood pellet bins.
Q. What kind of new controls are needed?
A. None. Pellergy comes with its own control panel. The system works with ALL of the existing safety controls of your present system. The Pellergy system is controlled by your existing thermostat.
Q. How does the Pellergy system provide heat?
A. When your thermostat calls for heat, the Pellergy unit goes into auto-ignition mode just as your oil furnace does. The Pellergy ignition cycle takes approximately 2-3 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.
Q. How are the heating values set?
Basically, the heat load is set by current boiler rating and the heat load requirement of your home. Pellets feed to the system are weighed when the system is installed to insure the right amount of fuel is delivered to the chamber to achieve the system’s target BTU range.
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 and Vermont 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?
A. Pellergy systems are 100% manufactured in Vermont and fully assembled at our facility in Barre, Vermont. Several specialty parts (electronics) are sourced from other vendors within in the US; however, all manufacturing is done right here. Pellergy’s ASME rated boilers are fabricated and cast in Lancaster County, PA and assembled in Vermont.
Q. How do I get a certified installer to look at my system?
A. You can send a request for a site visit through the Pellergy web site or at www.mywoodpelletsolution.com. Your request will be directed to an installer in your area. Additionally, you can contact one of the listed Certified Installers directly.
Q. If my boiler can be converted, how would a Pellergy burner mate to my boiler?
A. Pellergy will, as required, provide custom interface plates to approvede boilers. In many cases Pellergy actually provides a complete second door. This allows us to remove your current door with the oil gun in place. This gives the Pellergy owner the convenient option to switch back and forth between oil heat and pellet heat as the owner wishes.
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.
Q. As a home owner, what does a Pellergy system require me to do in normal operations?
A. For a basic Pellergy installation, a home owner only has to do simple weekly maintenance that takes less than 20 minutes to dump ashes out of the burn chamber and refill the day bin.
Options such as automatic burn chamber cleanout, bulk pellet storage and dedicated Pellergy boilers can extend maintenance routines to once every 2-3 weeks for an average homeowner. This is a service offered by your Certified Installer.
Q. I now clean my boiler once a year. Is this the same for a Pellergy system?
A. Typically, a Pellergy system needs to have the boiler professionally cleaned about every 1 – 4 tons of pellet fuel burned based upon the size of the boiler and ash content of the fuel being burned. Cleanout requirements are dependent on the type and size of boiler as well as by the amount of fly ash created by the combustion of the pellet fuel. In general, your system will need more frequent cleaning when burning pellets. This is a service provided by your Certified Installer. Many homeowners clean their Pellergy boilers themselves and find the 20 minute routine rewarding!
Q. I want to go away for two weeks in the Winter. Will the Pellergy system provide heat while I’m gone?
A. Yes, however, the answer to this question is largely system and use-scenario specific. Pellergy has system installations that provide whole home heating for weeks and months without user intervention, while others require a weekly maintenance routine to be performed. Based on your installation, the automation options you choose, the amount of pellet storage you have, and most importantly, how much fuel you burn: The answer can vary as to how long between maintenance cycles you can go.
Please ask your Certified Installer to explain your specific situation to you and what options are available that can extend your maintenance cycles (Auto burn chamber cleanout, bulk pellet storage, Auto Alarm Dial Out, low pellet alarms, etc.)
Q. Do Pellergy systems meet recognized safety standards?
A. Yes. The Pellergy Pellet Replacement Burner for steam boilers and hot water boilers with existing oil burners was found to comply with the intent of test standards: UL 391, ETLM 78-1, CAN/CSA-B 366.1; ASTM E-1509, standards for Solid Fuel Fired Central Furnaces (Boilers). The system has been tested to these standards and is listed by a third party, ISO Certified, independent test lab.
Pellergy boilers have been tested by our third party, ISO Certified Test Laboratory to the applicable sections of : UL 391, ETLM 78-1, CAN/CSA-B 366.1; ASTM E-1509 and UL-2523.
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.
Q. Who do I contact to purchase a Pellergy System?
A. Please refer to our “Certified Installers” list.
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 oil and solid fuels heating units in your State, County or City. You then have to be trained by Pellergy. Please contact us through the Installers link on our web site: www.pellergy.com
Q. I’m off the grid, how much electric does the Pellergy burner draw?
A. 5-1/2 amp max for short durations.
