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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Arctic Energy Alliance is set to display an alternative method for home heating at NWT's first wood pellet fair in early October.

"Our aim is to show Northerners that wood pellet systems are an environmentally friendly, sustainable and relatively inexpensive method of heating our Northern homes and businesses," said Andrew Robinson, executive director of Arctic Energy Alliance.

Shelagh Montgomery pours pellets into her wood pellet stove to demonstrate how the machines work on Aug. 5. - Ben Morgan/NNSL photo

Arctic Energy Alliance is a non-profit society that promotes and facilitates the adoption of efficient, renewable and carbon neutral energy practices.

"New wood pellet technologies have revolutionized heating in northern Europe over the past few years and these technologies are finally becoming available in the NWT," he said.

Wood pellets are made from compacted waste sawdust. A 40 pound bag costs around $7.

Shelagh Montgomery installed a wood pellet stove in her home two years ago. She said buying the pellets in bulk can save even more money.

"I think it works out to around $5 a bag," said Montgomery.

"You can go through a bag in a day. It's definitely something I would recommend and maintaining the pellet stove is a simple thing."

Montgomery said from an environment point of view burning pellets instead of oil "is a much more efficient burn and a cleaner burn."

Robinson said another option for saving money is using a wood pellet boiler for heating hot water.

He said wood pellets emit only a small amount of greenhouse gas and that wood pellet technologies have the potential to reduce heating bills by one-third.

Doug Matheson, retail sales manager at Corothers Home Building Centre, said his customers have been asking about the stoves for the past couple of years.

"They burn cleaner, and they're efficient. Plus, you don't have to go get an armful of wood," he said.

Matheson said four years ago no one was asking about wood pellet stoves "but they're catching on."

"I've never even heard of them," said Shelley Wiart. "But with the cost of rising gas prices I'd say people are willing to try anything if there is any chance to bring down their cost of living."

The wood pellet fair will be held in the atrium of the Greenstone Building on Oct. 3 and 4. The show will host Northern dealers of pellet-related products such as pellet stoves and boilers and representatives of the pellet industry.