Evaluation of wood pellet application for residential heating in British Columbia based on a streamlined life cycle analysis

The consequences of using wood pellets to replace traditional firewood for residential heating in British Columbia, Canada have been investigated based on a streamlined life cycle analysis. Survey data in 2002 and 2005 indicated that 1.44 Mt of firewood is used in BC residential heating annually. If current wood-burning residential heating equipments were replaced by their pellet-equivalent counterparts, then only 667 kt of wood pellets would be needed annually and the impacts on human health, ecosystem quality, climate change, and primary energy consumption will be reduced fractionally by 95%, 26%, 17% and 34%, respectively. Savings of $749,277,000 per year in externality can also be achieved, representing a fractional reduction of 94% from the current practice. For every tonne of pellet burnt to replace firewood, $1124 in externality is avoided. In terms of capital investment for new equipment, replacing conventional fireplace, masonry heater and outdoor boiler are desirable whether bulk or bagged pellets are to be used. If bulk pellets are to be utilized then all users except the owners of any type of fireplace inserts should consider switching to wood pellets. For the equipment and pellet type combinations with negative net present value (NPV), the estimated external cost savings and the NPV calculated may be the basis for the establishment of an incentive program. Promoting pellet consumption for residential heating through introducing government subsidies and improving distribution logistics will be beneficial to both pellet producers and local consumers, as well as to the local environment.

► Pellets replacing firewood for residential heating reduces global and local impacts.
► Local human health impact can be reduced by 95% due to clean burning of pellets.
► 17% GHG emissions can be achieved from 34% reduction in primary energy use.
► $1120 externalities can be saved for each tonne wood pellets replacing firewood.
► Government subsidies and improved distribution logistics are needed.