Buying guide
Wood pellets vs LPG, diesel and furnace oil
How wood pellets compare with the gas and oil fuels that run most industrial boilers, thermic fluid heaters and furnaces, and what it takes to switch.
| Pine wood pellets | LPG | Diesel (HSD) | Furnace oil | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | 4,000–4,500 kcal/kg | About 11,000 kcal/kg | About 10,500 kcal/kg | About 10,000 kcal/kg |
| Cost per unit of heat | Usually the lowest | High | High | Medium to high |
| Price stability | Stable, locally made | Tracks global gas prices | Tracks crude oil prices | Tracks crude oil prices |
| Renewable | Yes, made from wood residue | No | No | No |
| Handling | Bagged or bulk, no pressure or spill risk | Cylinders or tank, gas safety rules | Tank storage, spill risk | Heated storage, sludge and spills |
LPG, diesel and furnace oil figures are typical values for comparison only. Check your own supplier's specification and price.
Why pellets cost less to run
LPG, diesel and furnace oil give more heat per kilo, but they cost several times more per kilo than wood pellets. Per unit of heat delivered to your boiler, pellets usually come out cheaper, and their price does not swing with crude oil and gas markets. Use our fuel cost check with your current fuel bill.
Switching from LPG
A pellet burner replaces the gas burner on your boiler, heater or dryer. You also remove cylinder handling and gas storage rules from site.
Switching from diesel or furnace oil
Oil-fired boilers and thermic fluid heaters convert with a pellet burner sized to the same heat output. Pellets need no heated storage, and there is no oil sludge or spill clean-up.
What we need to size the switch
Your boiler or heater type and capacity, how many hours it runs, and your current monthly fuel use and bill. Send us these and we will compare your costs.
Get today's pellet rate
Tell us your city, monthly quantity and boiler type. We reply with a price delivered to your site.