Wood is a form of Biomass and a wood pellet stove is a highly efficient use of Wood Pellets as fuel. A wood pellet stove has many of the advantages of a fossil fuel heating system but without causing environmental damage. These modern stoves include a microprocessor with features such as temperature and timer control, fans to distribute the warm air and automatic ignition.
A wood pellet stove is more convenient than a traditional open fire or stove as a hopper holds enough fuel for one to three days and, due to the fuel’s efficiency, the ash pan only needs emptying once a month or less (even as little as once a year with some models)! A new wood pellet stove will look similar to a traditional wood burning stove but the thermostatic controls and the fans allow the heat to be better distributed and ensure that the stove does not get dangerously hot.
There are a few things to consider if you are thinking about a wood pellet stove. A flue will be required which may require planning permission. Check with your local authority to see if this applies in your case. The system will also have to conform to building regulations and, if you live in a smokeless zone, only exempt appliances will be permitted.
You can expect the total cost of the wood pellet stove including installation to be around £4,300.
More information available on wood pellets on our Wood Pellet Boiler page.
Source: www.est.org.uk 2011
