The Sustainable • Local Centre County Shopper's Guide

Sustainable Local Centre County

The Sustainable • Local Centre County Shopper’s Guide is a directory showcasing green and local businesses in State College, Bellefonte, Philipsburg, and surrounding areas. Whether you’re looking for a sports gym, a bra fitting, or a great cup of organic fair-trade coffee — you can find what you need to satisfy your inner locavore!

Are you passionate about “buy local?” We are, and we’re looking for other “buy local” enthusiasts to join our team! Find out more »

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The Sustainable • Local Centre County Blog

Pellet Power

Keith | 7 November 08 | Add your comment

The oil drum in the basement is nearly empty. It’s getting colder outside, and I’m not worried. I’ve got the heating power of sawdust in my living room.

After much debate, I bought a pellet stove to heat my home. If you recall, from my previous blog, I stand to save over $5600 by NOT buying any home heating oil this year. With that money theoretically in my pocket, I bought a whole new furnace, fuel for the winter, an electric hot water heater and I have money left over. This was one of the smartest moves I’ve ever made.

Not to mention, the pellet stove is a rather “green” device. It looks like your basic coal/wood stove, except that it burns pellets and corn. A pellet is no more than compressed sawdust and other wood biproducts collected from sawmills and construction sites. It is compressed to the size of guinnea pig food. Pellets can also be made from grass and weeds, however, we’re still a few years away from mass production of those pellets. The stove also burns corn. Living in Pennsylvania, I can always find corn. This fuel is cheap, very clean and is a smart way to heat. Bottom line: I’m off the oil and I’m not outside splitting wood right now…but I’m still heating with wood!

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