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Horizon Pellet Fuel FAQ's
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Q. What type of wood is used to make our pellets?
A. HBI pellet fuel is made from predominately softwoods. We use 100% recycled wood such as scrap from truss and wall panel manufacturers; pallet manufacturers; home builders; and cabinet, furniture and molding manufacturers. We can also use dry tree trunks, stumps, and limbs as well as old fire wood and used lumber. We don’t use any material that contains toxics chemicals such as creosoted posts or treated lumber. Because we use only recycled wood, we help the environment by keeping thousands of tons of waste out of our landfills.
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Q. How are wood pellets made?
A. Clean, dry scrap wood is brought in and dumped on the floor of our receiving building. It is immediately loaded into the hopper of our Cresswood grinder which grinds the wood into a mulch-like material. The mulch is carried by conveyor to our Bliss hammer mill. The hammer mill grinds the mulch into a sawdust-like material referred to as wood meal. Wood meal is transferred into overhead bins where it is stored by type and source. From overhead bins, batches of wood meal are weighed out in a scale hopper where the moisture is checked. The meal then drops into a large ribbon mixer where a non-toxic lubricant is added to enhance pelleting. These two steps enable HBI to closely control the quality and consistency of the pellet fuel. Once the wood meal is mixed, it is transferred to other overhead bins. From here the meal is fed into one of HBI’s two California Pellet Mills where the wood is pressed through dies with small holes to form pellets. Friction created while squeezing the material through the die, heats up the lignins in the wood which act as a natural binder, holding the pellet together. Pellets are then cooled and sent through a screener to remove fines before stored in yet more overhead bins for bagging. Before bagging, pellets are screened one last time, to remove any residual fines created during handling. Pellets are bagged in 40 lb, UV protected poly bags, heat sealed and stacked 50 to a pallet. Before pallets leave the mill, they are covered with a 4 mil, UV protected heat-shrink cover which is shrunk with a hot air gun to form a tight, water resistant unit.
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Q. How do I know I’m getting a quality wood pellets?
A. The grading system for pellet fuel is established by the Pellet Fuel Institute. HBI pellets are Premium Grade pellets meaning they meet or exceed all the parameters set by the institute for that grade such as ash content (<1%), moisture (<8%), and durability index (>97.5) to mention a few. These results are verified by an independent lab endorsed by the Pellet Fuel Institute.
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Q. In what type of stove can I use pellet fuel?
A. You need a wood pellet stove, corn stove or combination wood pellet/corn stove. Most corn stoves will burn wood pellets but not all wood pellet stoves will burn corn. Pellets do not work well in fireplaces or cord wood stoves. There are numerous companies than make pellet stoves and fire place inserts. Check your local hardware store or the internet to find a dealer near you.
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Q. Will one pellet stove heat my entire house?
A. On average, a modest size pellet stove will easily heat a 1,500 sq. ft. home. It would typically take one to one and a half 40 lb. bag of wood pellets to heat this size home without a secondary source. The actual amount used depends upon factors such as the indoor temperature you prefer, the energy efficiency of the home, the outside temperature, and so on. Larger stoves may heat a significantly larger dwelling and be integrated into the central air system. Some use pellets as their primary source of heat while others use it as secondary heat.
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Q. Do pellet stoves need a chimney?
A. No. Pellet stoves are typically so efficient they do not need a chimney. Most vent outdoors through a 4” pipe in the wall. Choose a room that make sense for you, such as a living room or family room, and place the stove in that room. Enjoy the warmth and homey flame of pellet heat this winter.
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Q. Why should I use wood pellets to heat my home?
A. It’s an American made, renewable fuel. Given our dependency on foreign oil, it just makes sense to use a home grown fuel when available. Pellet fuel typically comes from sources within 50 miles of the plant. When you buy HBI pellet fuel, you not only help keep solid waste out of the local landfill and reduce greenhouse gases, you support the local economy. Just like any business we pay wages, payroll taxes, property taxes and income taxes as well as purchase services, utilities, supplies, parts and materials locally.
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Q. What are the advantages of pellets vs. propane?
A. One bag of HBI pellet fuel contains the same BTU’s as over 3.5 gallons of propane. Depending upon the price of propane, the savings can be substantial.
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Q. What are the advantages of pellets vs. cord wood?
A. CONVENIENCE: No more cutting trees, hauling wood and splitting logs. You don’t have to wait a year for green wood to dry in racks drawing insects and rodents. No more dragging fire wood into the house leaving a trail of snow, dirt and tree bark. Pellets are easy to start. You won’t need to wad up the Sunday paper and carefully arrange kindling to start your pellet stove. EFFICIENCY: Pellet stoves are 8 to 10 times more efficient than cord wood fire places so they are better for the environment. Even a modest priced pellet stove will be 80% efficient. You won’t have to leave that football game or movie every hour to stoke the fire. Fill the stove once and watch it burn all day.
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A.Yes, pellet stoves can qualify for a tax credit.
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How much:
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30% of the cost (including installation/labor costs), up to $1,500.
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Timing:
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Tax credit in effect in 2009 and 2010. Must be installed in your "principal residence" between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.
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Details:
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The stoves must be used for heat or water heating and have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75% as measured using a lower heating value.
The law defines "biomass fuel" as any plant-derived fuel available on a renewable or recurring basis, including agricultural crops and trees, wood and wood waste and residues (including wood pellets), plant (including aquatic plants), grasses, residues, and fibers.
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Find qualified models:
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There is no master list of qualified biomass stoves. The best way to find stoves that qualify is to ask your retailer or do an Internet search for "tax credit biomass stove". To verify tax credit eligibility, make sure you get a Manufacturer's Certification Statement.
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How to apply:
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Elkhorn Valley Animal Bedding FAQ's
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Q. What type of wood do you use to make Elkhorn Valley animal bedding?
A. We use clean, kiln dried softwoods, predominately white pine.
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Q. Why use Elkhorn Valley bedding?
A. There are many reasons for using Elkhorn Valley bedding. HEALTH: Elkhorn Valley animal bedding is made from clean, kiln dried softwoods and does not contain some of the aromatic hydrocarbons and phenols found in other wood bedding products such as raw cedar shavings. Therefore, animals are not exposed to compounds that have been implicated as potential health risks in regard to respiratory problems. CLEANLINESS: Elkhorn Valley bedding is pelletized then screened to remove dust and fines. These softwood pellets also suppress odors and ammonia. ECONOMICAL: Since pelletized bedding is condensed and super absorbent, one bag goes a long way. It takes fewer bags of pelletized bedding to do the same job as wood shavings or straw and requires less time and labor to clean up. CONVENIENCE: Pelletized bedding is easy to use. Spread out about a 1/2” of pellets in the bedding area. Each day remove urine soaked spots and manure. In large stalls, add another bag every week or two.
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Q. Are Elkhorn Valley animal bedding safe for my horse?
A. Yes! Our bedding is 100% kiln, dried softwoods that do not contain any chemicals or additives. They are also most likely better for your horse’s respiratory health since they are not dusty and do not contain potentially harmful respiratory compounds.
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Q. I currently use shavings for my horse bedding. Why should I use pellets?
A. ABSORBENCY: Pellets are densified. One bag of pellets is equivalent to two and a half bags of shavings. Pellets are made of finely ground wood; therefore, they retain the super absorbent qualities of sawdust with a lot of surface area. Pelletized bedding will absorb three times its weight in urine. DUST: Because pellets are screened, fines and dust are kept to a minimum. CONVENIENCE: Cover the floor of a stall with about 1/2” of Elkhorn Valley Bedding. Unlike our competition, wetting is optional. Each day simply remove manure and urine soaked spots with a rake. Once every week or two, add a bag of bedding to the stall. COST: Elkhorn Valley Animal Bedding enables you to save money by buying less bedding and taking less time to maintain stalls.
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Q. If I want to switch to horse bedding pellets, where do I begin? And how many bags will I need?
A. First, clean the stall of old bedding. Use 5-6 bags of bedding for a 12’ x 12’ stall to get about a 1/2” layer. Spread the pellets evenly throughout the stall. Wetting the bedding with water to activate or “fluff” the material is optional. Each day remove urine soaked spots and manure. Spread a new bag in the stall every week or two.
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Q. What are the advantages to Elkhorn Valley bedding vs. other pelletized beddings?
A. Elkhorn Valley pelletized animal bedding goes through an additional step in the production process that crumbles the pellet. This breaks the hard, smooth, moisture resistant surface of the pallet to allow quicker absorption. Unlike other pelletized bedding, wetting to “fluff” the pellets is optional. This way Elkhorn Valley bedding retains all of its moisture absorbing capacity.
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Q. How is Elkhorn Valley animal bedding sold?
A. It is sold in convenient 35 lb. bags, which can easily be stacked in a small, dry area.
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Q. Where can I buy Elkhorn Valley animal bedding?
A. Our bedding is currently sold in four states. Click here to find a store near you. If you do not find a store in your area, please contact us.
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Q. Where should I store Elkhorn Valley animal bedding?
A. Store it indoors in a dry area. Because of its super absorbent nature, it is important that you keep the bedding dry. You can stack the 35 lb. bags several feet high, so you won’t need a great deal of space.
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