Pellet Stove Prospects: Will Supply Meet Demand?
The reputation of wood pellet stoves, widely touted as an economical and environmentally friendly home heating option, has taken a hit in recent years. The industry wasn't prepared for the demand for its products in 2005, and backorder lists grew longer. Meanwhile, many pellet stove owners couldn't find any pellets. Here's what you need to know before purchasing a wood pellet stove.
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Before you invest in a pellet stove, make sure you'll have a steady supply of fuel.
STEVE MAXWELL
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February/March 2007 Issue #220
Green Gazette
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The reputation of wood pellets, those little morsels of compressed fiber widely touted as an economical and environmentally friendly home heating fuel, took a big hit last year and has yet to recover.
In the fall of 2005, with oil and gas prices at historical highs and numerous glowing articles about pellet heating in the mainstream media, the pellet industry was not prepared for the unprecedented demand for its products. Dealers begged stove manufacturers as back order lists grew longer and longer. Many buyers waited more than six months for a stove while others cancelled their orders.
At the same time, pellet stove owners in some regions couldn’t find any pellets. Fuel shortage is the nightmare scenario that could hamper this renewable fuel’s steady climb to respectability.
This year, oil and gas prices have eased back. Gas fireplaces are popular again and pellet stoves are languishing in warehouses instead of flying out of showrooms. Fuel supplies are more reliable, but the new complaint is price. Pellet prices in some regions have doubled in just two years.
Hearth and Home magazine, the main news outlet for the industry, fretted in a November 2006 editorial that “The consumer now has two negative impressions of the pellet industry [fuel shortages and high prices] stamped firmly in his/her mind.”
Meanwhile, turbulence in most other fuel industries has fed the demand for a more secure, local fuel, and another alternative fuel has taken a big market share. Kernel corn-burning stoves have been around for almost 20 years, but in relatively small numbers. One industry insider predicted that U.S. sales in 2006 would exceed 200,000, which is more than sales of wood pellet stoves just a few years ago. Corn fuel has become so popular that many manufacturers have adapted their stoves to burn both wood pellets and corn.
