Look back in time. Think about what people used as their primary source for fuel just a century ago. Rustic and rural homes in the United States and Europe oftentimes would rely on wood for heating. As a modernized and industrialized nation, we’ve stepped away from wood as the major energy source it once was. But now wood is making a comeback, thanks largely to something called pellet technology.

The energy-dense pellets can be used to generate heat and electricity, or even both at the same time. Using pellet fuel reduces dependence on oil, natural gas and propane – all non-renewable fossil fuels. And pellet fuel is a renewable fuel when the wood comes from sustainable sources. The pellets resemble dry dog kibble and are mostly made from mill residuals such as sawdust and wood shavings. Demand for pellet technology is stronger than ever before in Europe, where high prices for heating oil and clean-energy requirements have developed more interest in alternatives.

With the exception of emptying an ash box once a year, modern pellet furnaces for homes are a very convenient way of heating your house. In fact, Europe accounts for nearly 85 percent of the global pellet demand, according to an international group called IEA Bioenergy Task 40.

Are you looking for ways to be sustainable and conserve energy in your home?  Sierra Pacific Windows is certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and offers windows and doors made from sustainable materials.

We’d love to tell you more about our environmentally friendly products, and guide you through installing them in your home or commercial project. Connect with us by calling 1-800-824-7744 or visit us online at SierraPacificWindows.com.

Photo via renewbl.com