THUNDER BAY -- Local startup Biothermic had an exciting day on Thursday, launching its first wood-pellet delivery service in Thunder Bay.
The homegrown company is pioneering a form of high-efficiency, central wood-pellet heating system in various locations across Canada.
The heating system offers a cost-efficient, and enviro-friendly alternative to propane, heating oil, and electricity.
“Wood pellets have a big potential for growth,” Biothermic president Vince Rutter said.
On Wednesday, the provincial government announced it would fund wood heat pilot programs in Sioux Lookout, Wawa and seven northern Ontario First Nations.
“Northern Ontario has a need for more affordable energy sources, and we have a vast forest economy,” Rutter said.
“The domestic use (of wood pellets) is still low, but we’re still looking for cheaper energy sources, and this is a much cheaper source.”
Their new 14-tonne truck is the landmark model in Thunder Bay.
Rutter said it can make up to four deliveries in one trip, providing a home with enough heating for a year.
Although wood-pellet boilers are more expensive for homeowners to install than alternative boilers, Rutter said the cost of the fuel justifies the investment over time.
“The payback is generally between four and eight years,” he said.
