Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pellet Fuel? What do you mean by carbon neutral? What do you understand by     "Fully automated Pellet Heating Systems?" What is Hydronic Heat? What are the benefits of Hydronic Heat Systems? What do you mean by "coupling with solar panels"? How will I get so many pellets into the heater? How many pellets do I have to stock?

Pellet fuel is a renewable, clean-burning and cost stable home heating alternative currently used throughout North America. It is a biomass product made of renewable substances - generally recycled wood waste. There are currently more than 600,000 homes in North American using wood pellets for heat, in freestanding stoves, fireplace inserts and even furnaces. Pellet fuel for heating can also be found in such large-scale environments as schools and community buildings. Firepellets are a limitless fuel that burns carbon neutral.

Wood pellets burn carbon neutral. That means, that during the period of growth, a tree absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere, where it will return, whether we burn the wood or whether it is rotting. This is a closed circle and no additional CO2 is emitted, unlike the combustion of oil, gas or coal, where carbon is released which had been safely stored for millions of years under the surface of the earth. We know that CO2 is a greenhouse gas and is responsible for the global warming.

We all know the pellet stoves in our living rooms. In European countries, due to the high energy prices, domestic furnaces have been developed to heat the entire house including the hot water supply. It is a technology that's booming right now. Ecodynamics, Inc. will be the first to design and manufacture Pellet Boilers for the American market. Pellet fueled heating systems are based on the hydronic principle. This makes combination with solar panels and hot water prep easy and highly efficient. - The same way as your propane furnace, your pellet boiler will start fully automatic when heat is requested by the thermostat. All you have to do is to fill your wood pellet silo once per heating season.

Hydronic Heat means that the thermal energy produced by the heat source (your Ecotherm Pellet Boiler and/or your Ecodynamics solar panels) is transported by (hot) water to the living space.

Hydronic heat offers many benefits, compared to forced air systems:
A properly designed hydronic heating system is quiet, comfortable and non-intrusive. Dust, pollen and odors are not moved throughout the home. No need to clean heating ducts which accumulate dust and dirt over time

1. Hydronic systems easily allow zone control:
   thermostats and zone valves break up a home into separately controlled segments, offering cost savings due to not have to heat the entire house at all the time. Different comfort levels are available throughout the house.

2. Hydronic systems are generally coupled to the domestic hot water boiler for further energy cost savings, compared to a separate system.

3. Hydronic systems have a higher efficiency than forced air systems. That means more "miles per gallon"!

Solar energy is plentiful in North America and for free. Optionally, your Ecotherm may be combined with solar panels, installed on your roof for example. The thermal energy from the sun will be transported by water into a storage tank and be available for the heating of your home or your domestic hot water. During the summer months, as well as late spring and early fall, this will probably be the only energy source required. With the colder winter days coming, your pellet boiler will add up the supplementary heat required.

Your pellets will be delivered by a tank truck, similar to propane or fuel oil. Only pellet fuel is made out of natural and untreated wood. There is no hazard with leaks or spilling and there is no bad odor to it. Pellets are transported by air from the delivery truck into your home silo, which will be part of our installation package. Your Ecotherm Service Partner will guarantee the supply of the best grade of pellet fuel for your system.

A medium single family home with a calculated need of 50,000 BTU heating capacity will require a pellet storage facility of 9 cubic meters (or cubic yards) holding 6 tons of pellet fuel, enough for the entire heating season.