“I know for a fact there are others in my area using my same old method I use to use. Many are skeptical of past promises from companies that didn't deliver. Now, when I see people loading three or four bags of pellets at a time into their car, I know where I’m recommending they go. It was so fast and easy, I'm looking forward to next year. Try them, you won't be disappointed, I promise you."
- Stan, Billerica MA
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions About Wood Pellets
What are wood pellets?
Pellets are small, tightly-compacted wood products that can be burned in a pellet burning appliance, such as a stove or fireplace insert. They’re manufactured at nearly 100 mills in North America, and created by compressing sawdust remnants from the lumber industry, furniture and flooring manufacturing, and from forestry by-products. Pellet fuel is also made from other agricultural waste.
How much will I save over traditional heating fuel with wood pellets?
It depends on your current heat source, your climate, the size and heat loss of your home, and how warm you like your home to be. Many of our oil and propane heating customers have cut their annual home heating costs in half during the highest petroleum prices this summer. As some energy prices dip again, it’s a reminder that many traditional heat methods are hardwired to the crisis of the season. Choosing a heat source is a long term decision and wood pellet heat is proving to be the most stable, and will not only save you money, but provide long term heating security.
How should I store wood pellets?
Protect your pellets from the weather. Most customers store their pellets in a garage, basement, or shed. If you store them outside, keep them off the ground, protected from snow and ice buildup, and make sure they are covered with a tarp or another shroud in order to protect them from precipitation and your sprinkler system. Make sure whoever is going to be loading your appliance has convenient access to the fuel and the path from storage to the appliance is hazard free.
Why are pellets shiny?
Lignin, a naturally-occurring substance in wood, rises to the surface during wood pellet production and leaves the pellets smooth and shiny. It also acts as a natural glue and is what holds the pellet together.
Can pellets go bad?
No. As long as you store them properly, you should have no problem storing them for several years.
Is there a pellet shortage?
No, but pellets can be hard to find at times. Pelletsales.com has thousands of tons of wood pellets in stock throughout the country with the capacity to meet our current consumer demand and beyond. We also have excellent long-term contracts with pellet manufacturers across North America, ensuring a reliable source of pellets for years to come.
Questions About Purchasing, Packaging, Quantity & Pricing
How many will I need to heat my home?
Most customers with an average size home living in a cold winter climate will go through three to four tons a season. However, that amount can vary depending on the size of your home and if you use other heating options.
How much does a bag of pellets weigh?
40 pounds.
How many pellets are in a ton?
50 Bags.
How are pellets packaged?
Wood pellets are packaged in plastic bags and stacked on a pallet. The bags are shrink wrapped with a cover to protect them from the weather. Within our home delivery area, we deliver pallets (skids) of 40-pound bags to your home. Or, in some areas, we can also deliver pellets in bulk. Many of our customers love not having to lug bags of pellets inside each time they need to add fuel. Soon, we’ll be able to install systems to automatically feed into your pellet appliance, and can provide storage units, such as large bins and silos, to accommodate the product. If you are purchasing within our truckload delivery area, pellets are delivered in bags.
Why are pellets more expensive now than they were a year ago?
Because many pellets are manufactured from sawdust from lumber production, production costs can be strongly affected by how the construction market behaves. Over the last few years, commercial and residential building has slowed down, reducing the supply and driving up the price of sawdust. Transportation costs can also be a factor, but with PelletSales.com’s vast network of rail and truck transport, we strive to move products as efficiently as possible.
Do you have customer pickup?
We currently offer customer pickup in select locations, but customers must order online in advance to reserve the fuel. Request a quote for fuel from our homepage and click on the "Customer Pickup" tab for availability.
Do you have pellets available?
Yes! We offer home delivery to many areas, and truckload pooling to almost all of the country. Click here to check pricing and availability in your area.
Where are you located?
Our corporate headquarters is in New Hampshire, and we have a reliable network of distribution centers throughout the country. See our Contact Us page for more information.
Do you sell truckloads of fuel?
Yes. Please e-mail sales@pelletsales.com for more information.
Payment Questions
What is a skid?
A skid is a pallet upon which the pellets are stacked. However, one skid does not always equal one ton. PelletSales.com offers skids from 1 to 1.5 tons, depending on the brand of fuel and availability.
Why don’t they all sell by the ton?
Sometimes we do, but often, our pellet mills stack as many bags of pellets as safely possibly on them to make shipping more efficient. Therefore, we sell them in units of 1 to 1.5 tons and adjust the quantity and price accordingly. While the skids and quantity change, the price per ton is consistent.
How do you figure out the price per skid?
Just multiply the size of the skid by the price per ton. So, if pellets are priced at $299 per ton and are sold on a 1.3 ton skid, you multiply $299 by 1.3 and your final cost before delivery is $388.70.
How do I pay by check?
Select check payment on the confirmation page. Make your check out to PelletSales.com for the appropriate amount (will be calculated for you on the on the page as well as your final confirmation email) and write your order number on the check. Mail your check to 84 Daniel Plummer Road, Goffstown, NH 03045. Once check is received, your order will be forwarded to the delivery team for scheduling.
Questions About Fuel Selection
What pellet is best for my stove?
All of the fuel we sell at Pelletsales.com meets strict ash content, heat output, and quality guidelines and is classified as PFI Premium wood pellet fuel. However, pellets do vary in length and density, so it may take some appliance adjustment to get that perfect burn. Consult your owner’s manual for specific fuel limitations or requirements before selecting a fuel for you heating system. Learn more about pellet differences here.
Why do some brands cost more than others?
Raw materials and transportation costs to get the pellets from the mills (where they’re produced) to our warehouses (where they’re shipped to you) vary, so the price per ton can fluctuate. As part of our effort to make pellets easily available to consumers across the country, pellets may have to travel long distances to get to you. As we expand our network, we expect to implement even more efficient delivery systems.
Which are better; hardwood or softwood pellets?
This is a much debated question, and if you are new to pellets, you may eventually form an opinion as well. The pelletizing process takes away much of the differences between hardwood and softwood, density and moisture content. BTUs can vary some, and ash content can also vary, but the quality and consistency of the fuel is more important than the species. Read more here.
When is the best time to buy pellets?
Pellet manufacturers try to operate their factories all year. Stock, availability, and pricing are usually best in spring. For your convenience, we have pellets available at competitive prices all year.
Questions About Delivery
Can you unload pellets into my garage?
Our drivers will typically not drive a forklift into your garage. In some instances, when the property owner is home and the driver feels he or she can safely do so, they will place a pallet of pellets in a customer’s garage if they sign a waiver.
Why don’t you deliver to my area?
We are constantly working on expanding our delivery and manufacturing network, but at this time, we can’t guarantee a competitive price for customers in some parts of the country. Please join our Pellet Club so we can let you know when we do offer service to your area.
Questions About Bulk Pellet Delivery Systems
What makes up a bulk system?
A complete bulk pellet system includes:
Can I get bulk delivery of pellets today?
You might be able to, depending on where you live. We are currently rolling out bulk delivery through a pilot program in selected areas, and building our rollout plan based on interest and demand. If you can't get it yet, but are interested, click here to let us know.
What areas are you rolling out bulk delivery in?
We are rolling out bulk delivery in Southern NH, Southern ME and MA. But if you are in another area, we can put you on a list to be notified as we expand to that area. We expect to be adding CT and RI this winter.
Can I purchase a bulk hopper, conveying system from you?
Very soon, yes. We offer several different solutions for you, from fully integrated storage and transfer systems to do-it-yourself plans for building a custom indoor storage bin. We are currently conducting pilot installations of this equipment in controlled Beta trials. The quickest way to take part is to let us know your interest.
How much does a furnace/boiler cost?
There are several pellet furnace manufacturers in the US and around the world, and the price varies by size and features. Typical residential furnaces start at approximately $7,000 installed, and up. Boilers are usually a little more expensive and might cost approximately $9,000 installed and up. Bulk pellet storage can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, depending on the systems selected. There are many ways to store bulk pellets inside, outside, and underground.
How do I get bulk pellets into my appliance?
There are several ways. The old fashioned way is to fill a bucket from the bulk storage container and dump it into your appliance. However, we are developing several solutions to make it more convenient for consumers to use bulk pellets. Very soon we will be able to have a system that will move pellets from a bulk container best suited for your home application to your appliance.
Environmental Questions
How is burning or manufacturing pellets beneficial for the environment?
By using wood byproducts that would otherwise go to waste, wood pellet manufacturers create a heating source that has very little negative impact on the environment, and closing the carbon cycle loop. Using this short-lived carbon from trees instead of fossil fuels keeps more the long-term storage of carbon in the ground. In some parts of the country, wood pellets are made from trees killed by an insect infestation. If those dead trees were left to decompose in the forests, they’d produce more greenhouse gases than they do being used for high efficiency heat.
How are pellets “green”?
People who heat their homes with wood pellets are using a clean, carbon-neutral renewable fuel that emits extremely low particulates into the atmosphere. Wood pellets contain nothing but wood. Being carbon neutral means that they close the loop of new carbon stored by trees in high efficiency heating systems without exposing the older stored carbon of fossil fuels, giving them a bigger “bang for the buck” both monetarily and ecologically.