Results of AGH Newsletter Survey

This past month, we sent out a survey to everyone subscribed to our newsletter in order to get to know our readers better and evaluate our work as a non-profit. We received 290 responses, and are grateful to all the respondents who provided us thoughtful feedback about their interests, goals, and opinions on AGH’s work. Thank you! Below are some results from each question of the survey, with commentary from members of the AGH board and staff. 

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Question 1: What are your areas of interest? (Check all that apply)

We received 289 responses to this question. Federal and state government updates as well as stove R&D were the most popular, while conferences and webinars were the least popular. Among the 10 “Other” responses, DIY stove designs and pellet heating were also popular. We don’t frequently host or promote conferences and webinars, but there is likely to be another Wood Stove Design Challenge, announced later this year.

Question 2: Which of the following expresses your opinion of residential wood and pellet heating? (Check all that apply)

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We made an unfortunate mistake right before publishing the survey of deleting a fourth option that was more in support of wood and pellet heating – and once we started receiving responses, we were not able to change or add options. We noted this in the intro to the survey, and noticed that the number of responses took a big hit – a decrease of almost 100 from the previous question. Many respondents in question 12’s “any other feedback” section explained that they would have chosen a response more positive of wood and pellet heating than the other three responses gave. We apologize for this mistake but feel the responses to the other 3 options are still informative.

Question 3: What, in your opinion, are the top three ways to reduce air pollution from wood smoke? (Check all that apply)

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After the decrease in responses to question 2, we were pleased to see a high level of response to this question. Consumer education and changeout program expansion were both popular responses, while increased enforcement of existing state regulations and more state regulations in general was less popular. In other sections, including question 12’s other feedback section, consumer education was deemed very popular. The more difficult question is how a small group like ours can effectively do more consumer education.

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Question 4: What U.S. state or foreign country do you live in?

We received 260 responses to this question, most of which were U.S. states. The results are summed up on the following heat map, which shows that most AGH readers, at least in this sample size, tend to reside in more northern states, with southern states being much less represented. In terms of foreign countries, 22 respondents said they lived in Canada, and much lower numbers were also received for Chile, Kenya, Sweden, Germany, France, the U.K., Japan, New Zealand, and Poland.

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Question 5: Which of the following appliances do you own? (Check all that apply)

This question received a wide variety of answers without a strong trend besides the comparative popularity of wood stoves as primary and secondary heat sources as compared to pellet stoves, wood/pellet boilers, and the other green heat systems listed. Among the “other” responses, air source heat pumps and masonry heaters were also popular responses. This question helps us understand what kind of information is applicable and/or useful to those reading our content.

Questions 6, 7, & 8: 

These three questions regarded research AGH is doing into how wood and pellet stoves are evaluated in energy audits. In response to question 6, (“Have you had an energy audit done on your home in the last 3 years?”) 30 responded "yes." Out of those 30, only 5 responded “yes” to question 7, which asked, “If you own a wood or pellet heater, did the energy auditor inspect it?” We reached out to all respondents who provided their email address in order to contact them about their energy audit experience, and have received very helpful responses from a number of people. Once again, if you would like to share your energy audit report or experience with us, please email caroline@forgreenheat.org because we would love to hear from you!

Question 9: How would you rate AGH’s monthly e-newsletter on a scale of 1 to 5?

We are relieved that an average of 83%of respondents think the newsletter is a good length, has a good frequency, and is not too biased for or against wood heating. AGH is a pro-wood heating group, but we also think it is important to address wood smoke and a range of other issues head-on. 

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Question 10: In your opinion, on which areas should the Alliance for Green Heat focus?

Just as in question 3 and 1, education and outreach appeared to be very important to our survey respondents, while social media and engagement of other non-profits appeared to be less so. We do maintain Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts, although this is not where we direct most of our effort!

Question 11: The Alliance for Green Heat promotes modern wood and pellet heating systems as low-carbon, sustainable, and affordable energy solutions. In your opinion, how effective is AGH in achieving this mission?

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It was encouraging to see that the majority of respondents rated us as somewhat or very effective, though we know we can always improve.

Question 12: Is there any other feedback you wish to share with AGH? 

We received 92 written responses to this question! Most responses provided encouragement, suggestions for content, questions, or clarification on prior survey responses. We read and appreciate every single survey response we got.

Question 13: Biolite camp stove drawing: We have a winner!!
Finally, out of the 216 respondents to this question who entered our stove drawing, Ken Hansen of Washington State was randomly selected to receive a FREE $350 Biolite electricity-generating wood grill. From Mr. Hansen: “I'm looking forward to surprising my hiking partners by recharging our phones/cameras while I grill the carne asada after a day of hiking!”

Thanks again to everyone who participated in the survey!

US to begin mandatory survey of wood pellet varieties, volumes and ingredients

Rosalie Bianco founded Boulder-based
New Earth Pellets using bark beetle-damaged
trees to make the pellets.  Her company, like
others, will  have to start filling out this
survey in 2016. 

Dec. 2016 update - The EIA released its first data set showing production of wood pellets by state, region and capacity. Reports will be issued monthly.

June 2015 - The US government is poised to begin a monthly survey of pellet producers, much like it conducts similar surveys for coal, oil, gas, and other renewable technologies like solar panels.  The Alliance for Green Heat has been part of a coalition urging the government to include thermal biomass in reports, policies and data collection initiatives.

Some pellet manufacturers may say, “be careful what you wish for, lest it may come true.”  Efforts by the Pellet Fuels Institute and others to gather information about how many pellets are being produced each year have been met with resistance by many manufacturers. 

In contrast, response rates to surveys by the Energy Information Agency (EIA) are often 100% according to EIA staff because response to the EIA energy surveys is mandatory pursuant to Section 13(b) of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974.  Failure to respond to EIA surveys is punishable by significant fines.

The EIA-63C "Densified Biomass Fuel Report” will require any company that produces more than 10,000 tons (the EIA expects there to be about 150) to fill out the survey monthly, which the EIA estimates will take one hour to complete.  The EIA aggregates the survey responses and does not release any company specific data, a strict rule that follows with all energy surveys.

The EIA is an independent information agency within the Department of Energy.  Its long hallways are filled with wonky number crunchers who produce some of the most important data that industry and government rely on to understand energy markets.  Thermal biomass being selected at long last to join the club of major energy producers shows recognition of its contributions to heat homes and institutions across America is growing.

The EIA wants to know how much PFI certified and non-certified pellets manufacturers are making for both the bulk and bagged market.  For the PFI certified pellets, the EIA wants to know whether they are premium grade, standard or utility grade.

The survey also asks if pellets are being sold domestically or to foreign markets and even why plants may not be operating at full capacity.  The survey asks if extrusion machinery was not fully utilized, was it a shortage of raw materials, drying capacity, grinding capacity, or lack of a market for them?

As pellet exports for European electric plants have become more controversial, one relevant part of the survey covers the origin of wood fiber.  The survey lists 10 possible sources of fiber: from pulp wood quality roundwood to wood chips to logging residues to sawdust.  Then, it asks if this fiber is from a natural private forest, a planted private forest, or public land.  See more in chart below:

In addition to pellets, the survey includes other densified biomass such as wood bricks, wood logs and briquettes.  The results will likely show a rapidly expanding wood brick/log sector, which has the potential to produce far cleaner fuels than cordwood in residential wood stoves.  However, there is no quality certification process for these types of densified biomass in place yet, as there is for pellets.  As this market matures and supply begins to meet demand in upcoming years, there is likely to be more focus on the ingredients used in the fuel, just as there is now with pellets.

“This survey is a sign that the US government is taking thermal biomass more seriously,” said John Ackerly, President of the Alliance for Green Heat.  “Pellets can provide a clean and efficient alternative to fossil fuels to heat our homes and buildings.  We applaud the EIA for agreeing to undertake this survey so that all stakeholders can have a level of detail and transparency,” Ackerly added.

The survey has already been through one public comment period, where major stakeholders, including the Alliance for Green Heat, provided feedback and suggestions to the EIA.  It is now being sent out for a second 30-day public comment period.