Kako da prepoznate kvalitetan pelet

Today’s market is flooded with pellet from various producers, both domestic and foreign, and special attention must be taken when purchasing this energy product. The pellet from different producers may look similar and therefore it is more difficult to evaluate which pellet is of good quality, that is why it is necessary to know the characteristics of a good quality pellet and how to recognise it.

Characteristics of a good quality pellet:

– Obtained from the core of a tree; The bark of the tree has a higher degree of moisture and dust as well as a lower calorific value than the core.

– Ideal is a pellet made of 100% beech wood and that is a quality of Bio Energy Point doo pellet.

– Pellet humidity must be below 10% (crucial for boiler service life) and ash residues max 0.7%.

– The pellet must not contain chemical additives, only pure wood.

– The pellet width should be about 6mm, length about 30mm, density 1.12 kg/dm3, energy output minimum 18 MJ/kg.

How to recognize a good quality pellet:

– The pellet must be shiny and smooth (without cracking).

–  It must smell of wood, not of chemicals.

– Visual test: The pellet placed in the water container must sink and swell, but the water must not change the color.

– The amount of dust in the bag and on the pellet itself must be minimal.

– The pellet must brake not crack when pressed in the hand.

Wood pellet is made by pressing sawdust, shredding wood and using industrial debris collected as waste from furniture production. Pressing is carried out under high pressure without any chemical additives. The pellet is usually cylindrical in shape, 6-8mm wide and 10-30mm long which makes it very easy to use and transport. Pellet heating records progressive increase in popularity both in the world and in our country due to the following advantages that have contributed to this trend:

1) Comfort – With pellet heating, the packs of an average weight of 15 kilos are used, which is relatively easier and simpler than splitting wood and handling coal. Modern stoves have integrated buckets that can be refilled every few days and are generally operated automatically, reducing the need of frequent visit to the boiler room, monitoring and filling the furnace. In regard to volume and cleanliness of storage, pellet is much better than alternative heating options.

2) Good and clean burning – The pellet has a high calorific value ranging between 15 MJ/kg and 20 MJ/kg with 1-2% of residual ash. The pellet also has extremely low moisture content, which significantly extend the boiler’s working age.

3) Renewable energy independence –  The pellet is produced in almost every country in the world which means that there is no energy dependency and price variability caused by political developments in the supplier’s country. The plant cover of our planet, which is the basic raw material for pellet production, is renewable and inexhaustible source of energy.

Energy efficiency means a series of measures taken to reduce energy consumption without affecting quality of work and life. The term energy efficiency can have two meanings, first referring to the degree of utility of certain devices and second to concrete measures and actions. This topic becomes significant not only for financial savings of individuals but also for the environment protection.

Below we have prepared for you 5 energy efficiency tips:

LED bulbs – By replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs, which are superior in regard to duration and energy consumption, the average household could save € 100-120 per year.

Insulation – According to research that consisted of analysing multiple groups of identical houses in terms of dimensions, all located in the same climate and using the same heating method, it has been proven that with adequate insulation, heating costs can be reduced by up to 40%.

Air Conditioners – It is recommended to replace C Class devices that dominate our market with A Class devices that are 30% more expensive but use up to 35% less energy. For maximum savings effects, it is recommended that the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures do not exceed 10 degrees, and to use an intermittent cooling strategy instead of continuous operation of the device.

Heating – pellet is considered the fuel of the future thanks to renewability of the biomass it is made from, its purity and simplicity of use. The pellet is constantly improved and experts believe that its price will decrease in the upcoming years due to the growing number of producers. It is recommended to buy it at the end of the heating season because in the winter there may be a price increase due to a sharp increase in demand.

Savings related to household appliances and interior– Painting the walls in white to maximise reflection and reduce the need for additional lighting, especially during the day; low ceilings and a high carpet coverage  allow longer heat retention  in the room; descaling of the boiler heaters every18 months; cleaning of refrigerators and freezers from ice; washing the dishes in the dishwasher consumes less  hot water, and  a drying option is not recommended; with washing machines, it is recommended to use short  programs to wash and avoid overloading the drum.