Working on my first pre-buy today...

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PelletGirl

Burning Hunk
Oct 25, 2014
184
Long Island, NY
I am so confused! I don't know how long these "pre-buy" prices last. Our first choice is not currently available because they don't know when they are getting the shipment in (no ETA to date). Others I have not tried, some are pricey. Pellets are expensive here to begin with, and these are slightly cheaper than when I was looking in the fall, but without trying them first I don't know what to get. We will pre-buy four tons. Thoughts? Thanks!

Energex Premium (green and white bag) - $299/ton, $70 to deliver all
OK Gold - $340/ton, free delivery
OK Plat - $365/ton, free delivery
OK DF - $412/ton, free delivery
EZ Heat - $299.50/ton, about $35 - $50 to deliver all
Greenaways - $299.50/ton, delivery $35 - $50

Also some Cleanfire on woodpellets.com for $335 - $345/ton with $65 delivery.
 
Filling my propane tank for $1.69 a gallon. Looking like it's not gonna be a pellet burning year next season based on $300.00 a ton and more for good pellets in the Adirondacks.
 
I am so confused! I don't know how long these "pre-buy" prices last. Our first choice is not currently available because they don't know when they are getting the shipment in (no ETA to date). Others I have not tried, some are pricey. Pellets are expensive here to begin with, and these are slightly cheaper than when I was looking in the fall, but without trying them first I don't know what to get. We will pre-buy four tons. Thoughts? Thanks!

Energex Premium (green and white bag) - $299/ton, $70 to deliver all
OK Gold - $340/ton, free delivery
OK Plat - $365/ton, free delivery
OK DF - $412/ton, free delivery
EZ Heat - $299.50/ton, about $35 - $50 to deliver all
Greenaways - $299.50/ton, delivery $35 - $50

Also some Cleanfire on woodpellets.com for $335 - $345/ton with $65 delivery.
Easy heats [ not Easy heat Golds] by far the worst of that list especially at 299.00... not worth it at all.crappy pellets...They could make a Harman scream.
Energex Hardwoods which I burned 4 tons of are good heat, lot of ash and overpriced at 299.00. should be around 250.00 ton.
the Remaining Okies are all good pellets so those prices although high are within line of other dealers.
I would go with all Okie Golds and free delivery..
 
Thats alot for Okie DF. A place near me is selling those for $369 per ton. This year, I'm going with Blazers. They are DF too and only $318 per ton about an hour away from me.
 
Wish I had Blazers as an option - Long Island is notorious for high pellet prices. I still have my price list from the fall and these are all somewhat cheaper than back then.
 
Easy heats [ not Easy heat Golds] by far the worst of that list especially at 299.00... not worth it at all.crappy pellets...They could make a Harman scream..

That is pretty funny to me since I just got a couple bags of Easy Heats this weekend. They are the second best smelling pellet I've burned (Vermont Wood Pellets were best), and are a lot better than the Currans I have been burning in the P61a this season (less ash, seems to be decent heat, no hard deposits). Not saying they are good - just better than what I've been running.
 
Easy Heats are crap and I paid $200 a ton for them. A lot of ash and crap to clean. Had to wait to get them. I will never buy them again. Greenway I paid $250 a ton and had to buy 2 ton from TSC while waiting on the Easy Heat. Burned the Greenway and would buy them again in a minute.
 
I am so confused! I don't know how long these "pre-buy" prices last. Our first choice is not currently available because they don't know when they are getting the shipment in (no ETA to date). Others I have not tried, some are pricey. Pellets are expensive here to begin with, and these are slightly cheaper than when I was looking in the fall, but without trying them first I don't know what to get. We will pre-buy four tons. Thoughts? Thanks!

Energex Premium (green and white bag) - $299/ton, $70 to deliver all
OK Gold - $340/ton, free delivery
OK Plat - $365/ton, free delivery
OK DF - $412/ton, free delivery
EZ Heat - $299.50/ton, about $35 - $50 to deliver all
Greenaways - $299.50/ton, delivery $35 - $50

Also some Cleanfire on woodpellets.com for $335 - $345/ton with $65 delivery.
Early buy prices are generally terrible across the board this early-buy season, but these take the cake! Are you sure these are more cost effective than oil? When was the last time you checked heating oil prices?

If I had to choose from the options and prices you listed, the Greenways would be the winner, not because it's the best option, but rather it's the option that sucks the least! They were $250/ton at TSC this winter. They are a great product and I would buy them again without hesitation.
 
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This is what is in my area at woodpellets.com
No thank you. I am in this to save on fuel oil not to pay for another mortgage payment
Look at the bottom one cleanfire Douglas fer at 404 a ton on sale from 419. That better come with a keg of Sam summer
Tractor supply has 10 bucks off of each pallet that is more attractive
I will stick with the home depot at 250 a ton and clean my stove for free

Home Delivery to HOOKSETT, NH 03106
1 ton home delivery order minimum


Maine's Choice

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8100+ BTU/lb
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.62% ash
$274.90$26990/ton
Sale Ends April 30th!
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Cleanfire Hardwood

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8400 BTU/lb
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.52% ash
$299.90$29490/ton
Sale Ends April 30th!
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Granules LG

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8600 BTU/lb
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.39% ash
$309.90$29490/ton
Sale Ends April 30th!
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Cleanfire Pacific

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8800 BTU/lb
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.37% ash
$329.90$31490/ton
Sale Ends April 30th!
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Cleanfire Douglas Fir

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9100 BTU/lb
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.22% ash
$419.90$40490/ton
Sale Ends April 30th!
Backordered
Call Us For Lead Time
 
We looked into an oil contract about one month ago (when prices were lower) and they were $2.39/gallon plus tax then (not sure what it's up to now but I know its higher). We use a minimum of 600 gallons per winter season, usually more so pellet prices are a little cheaper or about the same, depending what we purchase. The house is warmer too (if we kept it as warm with oil as we do with pellets, there would be no contest - oil would be significantly more expensive).

Boo Boo - I wish we could get for those prices! I believe the Cleanfires and LGs for us were about $334 - $344 per ton.
 
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We looked into an oil contract about one month ago (when prices were lower) and they were $2.39/gallon plus tax then (not sure what it's up to now but I know its higher). We use a minimum of 600 gallons per winter season, usually more so pellet prices are a little cheaper or about the same, depending what we purchase. The house is warmer too (if we kept it as warm with oil as we do with pellets, there would be no contest - oil would be significantly more expensive).

Boo Boo - I wish we could get for those prices! I believe the Cleanfires and LGs for us were about $334 - $344 per ton.
BTUs are BTUs. Doesn't matter the fuel source, just factor in the efficiency of the various units.
 
Ive burned 4.5 tons of okie gold. Not the biggest fan. Low ash volume but they do form clinkers. Not a big problem with the harman. I burned a ton of okie platinum more ash volume but it is much lighter and fluffier. By me the difference is $10/ton and i would go platinum over gold.
 
BTUs are BTUs. Doesn't matter the fuel source, just factor in the efficiency of the various units.

I understand what you're saying. But for me to feel as comfortable in my home with the oil heat, the thermostat must be set at a much higher temp than the pellets, and my cost goes way up.
 
I understand what you're saying. But for me to feel as comfortable in my home with the oil heat, the thermostat must be set at a much higher temp than the pellets, and my cost goes way up.
same here...
to keep our house at 72-73, The furnace would drink Oil like a drunken sailor so where is the savings? !!!just end up getting deliveries quicker.
using more oil at a price of say mid 250.00 gal or less is really not cost effective for us..house cools down fast also.
no way will we go back to keeping the thermostat at 67 degrees to slow down oil consumption.
Steady pellet heat 24/7 for us..
 
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Hard to see pre buy prices when still burning as this AM temp was 27. Price dropped some around here at a couple stores. I brought home a ton yesterday for $198 after rebate.
 
If those are "pre buy" or "special" prices, Id hate to see the mid-winter "were having a shortage" price.....

I wont pay more than 320 a ton for Hamers, and Hamers are my "chosen one" pellet. For those prices I could pre-buy 2 years of Propain!!!
 
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Everyone talking about Pelletgirls prices.... Keep in mind.
That' s Long Island... Most things there are a gazillion times more expensive
than most ever see.... Only been out there once... But wow...
 
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We looked into an oil contract about one month ago (when prices were lower) and they were $2.39/gallon plus tax then (not sure what it's up to now but I know its higher). We use a minimum of 600 gallons per winter season, usually more so pellet prices are a little cheaper or about the same, depending what we purchase. The house is warmer too (if we kept it as warm with oil as we do with pellets, there would be no contest - oil would be significantly more expensive).

In general 120 gallons of oil is BTU-equal to 1 ton of pellets, soo... $2.39/gal oil is BTU equal to about $280/ ton pellets. Also, you don't pay for delivery nor have to load a hopper, scrape, etc.

Using 600 gallons of oil is like burning 5 tons of pellets. How many pellets did you burn last season?

As for the pellet prices, if the pre-season discount is minimal, you might want to just wait until right before Labor Day to order. That's still early, and you don't have to have all those pellets around. I would avoid the EZ Heat. I would consider the Okanagan Gold and Platinum. Maybe 2 of one brand and 1 of the other, or something like that.
 
In general 120 gallons of oil is BTU-equal to 1 ton of pellets, soo... $2.39/gal oil is BTU equal to about $280/ ton pellets. Also, you don't pay for delivery nor have to load a hopper, scrape, etc.

Using 600 gallons of oil is like burning 5 tons of pellets. How many pellets did you burn last season?

As for the pellet prices, if the pre-season discount is minimal, you might want to just wait until right before Labor Day to order. That's still early, and you don't have to have all those pellets around. I would avoid the EZ Heat. I would consider the Okanagan Gold and Platinum. Maybe 2 of one brand and 1 of the other, or something like that.

I understand the science behind it, but if I use oil and set the thermostat the same as the pellet stove thermostat, it FEELS colder because its a different type of heat. I have to up the temp at least 2-4 degrees to feel the same type of comfort. It was explained to me that the baseboards heat from the outside in and the stove from the inside out (of the room). Since I don't hang out by the exterior walls much, it definitely feels warmer with pellet heat. And 600 gallons is a warm winter - not off the charts cold and snow like the past two. Those I would definitely need quite a bit more fuel. We burned about four tons of pellets last season (working on the last dozen bags or so right now).

Some of the pellet prices have free delivery, just like oil. And the baseboards have no ambiance at all. Oil prices have gone up since I received that quote. And yes, Long Island is ridiculously expensive - pellets and oil are no different (our gas right now is around $2.59/gallon, cash, self-serve). That's just how it is but I think its worth it to live here for all that you get. So far, pellets are saving us a bit and keeping us more comfortable.
 
I understand the science behind it, but if I use oil and set the thermostat the same as the pellet stove thermostat, it FEELS colder because its a different type of heat. I have to up the temp at least 2-4 degrees to feel the same type of comfort. It was explained to me that the baseboards heat from the outside in and the stove from the inside out (of the room). Since I don't hang out by the exterior walls much, it definitely feels warmer with pellet heat. And 600 gallons is a warm winter - not off the charts cold and snow like the past two. Those I would definitely need quite a bit more fuel. We burned about four tons of pellets last season (working on the last dozen bags or so right now).

Some of the pellet prices have free delivery, just like oil. And the baseboards have no ambiance at all. Oil prices have gone up since I received that quote. And yes, Long Island is ridiculously expensive - pellets and oil are no different (our gas right now is around $2.59/gallon, cash, self-serve). That's just how it is but I think its worth it to live here for all that you get. So far, pellets are saving us a bit and keeping us more comfortable.
The pellet heat is Continuously blowing heat in your dwelling.. sometimes for hours and hours..that's why you feel warmer.. like the heater in your car..
baseboard heat does it's hot water run, heats the rooms then just as quick the boiler shuts off and cool down begins till it fires up again..
don't get too involved in the Oil prices vrs pellet prices math that it makes you nuts.
.
.My Advice?, if you can Afford the Pellets and u Like the Heat better, Forget the Oil vrs pellet $$$$$$ debates & Scientific conclusions...doesn't matter if you'll be warm and happy and have plenty of stock for next winter....We only use the oil now for hot water so oil prices high or low don't matter that much anymore.. maybe 150 gallons in a year...
 
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Everyone talking about Pelletgirls prices.... Keep in mind.
That' s Long Island... Most things there are a gazillion times more expensive
than most ever see.... Only been out there once... But wow...
Sounds about right. I grew up on LI and moved out after college. Parents still live there. Cant stand going back.
 
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