Rising energy costs are affecting everyone, especially for heating. And many are looking for alternative ways to heat the house during the winter. In this sense, one of the most popular heaters to save money is the pellet boiler. This buying guide will help you find the model that suits you best and the criteria to choose well.
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Our selection
"In addition to its high thermal performance, the Interstoves Marina 11 kW has a design that does not leave one indifferent. With this waterproof pellet…"
"With the Frida, Sannover offers a pellet boiler with compact dimensions and a simple, yet elegant design. This entry-level model is distinguished by its low…"
"This is a pellet boiler with a formidable efficiency and a sober and chic design. In addition to its excellent price/performance ratio, the Interstoves Tessa…"
"The Strauss Jura pellet boiler combines convenience and environmental friendliness. It is very attractive and has a pleasantly compact design. At maximum output (7.5 kW),…"
In addition to its high thermal performance, the Interstoves Marina 11 kW has a design that does not leave one indifferent. With this waterproof pellet stove, you can precisely control the heating of your home.
1 359 £ on DartyThe Interstoves Marina that we present here has a heat output adjustable over 5 speeds, up to 11 kW. RT 2012 BBC compatible, this pellet boiler is able to adequately heat a room from 30 to 120 m². Its pellet tank has a capacity of 25 kg, which gives you an autonomy of between 7 and 23 hours. You can even program the device for 7 days.
Despite its relatively low energy consumption, the Interstoves Marina 11 kW promises a very high efficiency, 93.80% to be exact. Its steel design and waterproofing guarantee a long service life.. In addition, it comes with a combustion control kit making it easier to use. It should be noted that the stove stops when the temperature is reached and restarts when it goes down. It also offers a continuous automatic regulation thanks to the ambient sensor.
With the Frida, Sannover offers a pellet boiler with compact dimensions and a simple, yet elegant design. This entry-level model is distinguished by its low energy consumption and long autonomy.
639 £ on ManomanoIn the data sheet, the nominal power of the Sannover Frida pellet boiler indicates 7.03 kW. But if the conditions are right, this model can reach a maximum output of 7.83 kW. With this output, the Frida pellet boiler is able to heat a space of 201m3. One of the main advantages of this model is its very quiet operation. This is mainly due to its cast iron crucible, which makes the pellets fall into the burn pot without making noise.
Some of the features that make the Sannover Frida 7.5 kW stand out in its price range include double combustion, ventilation, easy maintenance, programmable operation and a removable ash pan. After your purchase, hire a professional to install your new pellet boiler.
This is a pellet boiler with a formidable efficiency and a sober and chic design. In addition to its excellent price/performance ratio, the Interstoves Tessa 10 kW is distinguished by a very practical stand-by mode.
1 368 £ on ManomanoThe Interstoves Tessa 10 kW is an airtight pellet boiler with a slim, clean design. It will adapt to save you space thanks to its shallow depth of 28 cm. It is indeed suitable for many places in your home, especially since you will have the opportunity to take the flue from the top. Another special feature of this boiler is that it comes with Wi-Fi connectivity allowing you to control the unit from a smartphone.
This pellet boiler stands out for its 90.3% efficiency and its large tank that can hold 25 kg of pellets. At full power (10 kW) and full hopper, you can heat the room for about 27 h. Front ventilation, special high-temperature glass ceramic, 304 stainless steel brazier, fire protection sensor with overheating protection, automatic shut-off when the glass door is opened - these are the main features that make the Interstoves Tessa 10 kW an exceptional pellet boiler.
The Strauss Jura pellet boiler combines convenience and environmental friendliness. It is very attractive and has a pleasantly compact design. At maximum output (7.5 kW), it has an operating time of about 20 hours.
951 £ on ManomanoWith an output of up to 7.5 kW, the small Strauss Jura pellet boiler can heat a space of 100 m². This means that it is only suitable for small apartments or a large room. Its compact size makes it look more like a heating oven than a fireplace, which makes it perfect for small spaces. In addition, it has an elegant and modern design.
This model comes with a 17 kg hopper. This means that the Strauss Jura 7.5 kW is capable of running for about 20 hours at full power before you refill the hopper with wood pellets. This pellet boiler runs quietly thanks to the unique design of its ventilation blades.
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| THE BEST | CHEAP | HIGH-END | COMPACT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
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7/10 |
8/10 |
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| OUR SELECTION |
Intestoves Marina 11 kW
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Sannover Frida 7,5 kW
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Interstoves Tessa 10 kW
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Strauss Jura 7,5 kW
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In addition to its high thermal performance, the Interstoves Marina 11 kW has a design that does not leave one indifferent. With this waterproof pellet stove, you can precisely control the heating of your home.
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With the Frida, Sannover offers a pellet boiler with compact dimensions and a simple, yet elegant design. This entry-level model is distinguished by its low energy consumption and long autonomy.
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This is a pellet boiler with a formidable efficiency and a sober and chic design. In addition to its excellent price/performance ratio, the Interstoves Tessa 10 kW is distinguished by a very practical stand-by mode.
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The Strauss Jura pellet boiler combines convenience and environmental friendliness. It is very attractive and has a pleasantly compact design. At maximum output (7.5 kW), it has an operating time of about 20 hours.
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Maximum power
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11 kW
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7.82 kW
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10 kW
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7.5 kW
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Yield
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93.8%
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94.3%
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90.%
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91%
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Hopper capacity
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25 kg
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15 kg
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25 kg
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17 kg
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Autonomy at maximum power
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23 h
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22 h
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27.7 h
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20 h
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Dimensions (W x H x D)
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50 x 107 x 49 cm
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45 x 90 x 44 cm
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85 x 106 x 28 cm
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46 x 87 x 54 cm
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The physical size of the pellet stove you choose for your home will depend primarily on the heat-generating capacity and the size of the pellet boiler's hopper. A small model will be able to keep a large room warm, but if the pellet boiler hopper is small, the heat won't last very long because of the small amount of wood pellets it can handle. Thus, heating large spaces will require a larger hopper and a higher BTU range, while heating small areas will require a smaller hopper with a lower BTU range.
To more accurately determine the size of pellet boiler you will need, ask yourself the following questions:
The measure of heat that a pellet boiler can produce will be through the British thermal unit, more commonly known as BTU. This is a measurement based on an hourly rate, but you can also find an overall rating listed by the manufacturer. The amount of heat you will need depends a lot on the type of climate you have and the area of the room you want to heat.
Generally speaking, if your winters aren't usually very cold, you can get away with a pellet boiler that doesn't have a very high overall efficiency. So, with average insulation, you should need about 300 BTU/h/m². Conversely, if your winters are harsh or you just like to have a warmer home, then you'll need at least 500 BTUs per hour.
As the name implies, a pellet boiler is often powered by wood pellets for a number of reasons. They are very compact and burn extremely well, giving you high heat output. Pellets are also often quite cheap. The type of pellets you plan to burn should match the combustion capabilities of your boiler. This is because different types of pellets and even different grades of pellets require different types of exhaust assistance.
The lower the grade and quality of pellets you use, the greater the exhaust requirements you will have with your boiler. Some pellets, especially wheat pellets and pellets from recycled waste, may be limited in some areas. Look at the availability of pellets near you first before finalizing your purchase.
While you may have a stand-alone pellet boiler in your home, don't be fooled into thinking that you won't need a flue system. You don't need a chimney exhaust like you would with a wood boiler, but you can make the boiler you choose work with an existing chimney if you want. If you're looking to channel smoke up your chimney, make sure the features of the boiler you want allow for this.
Most importantly, you need to determine if you have a double vented system. Without the double venting system, you run the risk of toxic fumes escaping from your boiler and that is not good at all. Before you continue with the pellet boiler comparison process, make sure you have a good venting system in place that can handle the model(s) you're interested in.
An entry-level/mid-range pellet boiler is going to heat your home as efficiently as a high-end model would. The difference between today's high-end models is that they are specifically created to make the entire heating process much simpler for the average user. The two best features to consider on your future furnace are the presence of a blower and the ability to make venting adjustments.
Another very useful feature found on some pellet boilers is a hopper warning. This system will sound an alarm or visually tell you that the amount of pellets in your hopper is low so you can refill it without having to turn the boiler back on.
And if you're not too maintenance-minded, there are a few models that offer a convenient self-cleaning feature. Typically, after about an hour of operation, these smart pellet boilers will automatically empty the ashes from the combustion chamber. It is important to note that the more additional features there are, the more expensive the boiler will be.
Pellet boilers are powered by electricity. The pellets are loaded into the hopper, which is located either at the top or bottom of the unit. The auger, which looks like a long screw, is a motorized device that brings the pellets from the hopper into the burn pot. The speed of the screw determines the temperature of the boiler.
The burn pot, which is housed in the combustion chamber, is then ignited. The pellets are highly compressed, dense and low in moisture, creating a hotter flame. The burn pot acts as a carburetor for the boiler, mixing air and fuel to create combustion. The ash from the burned pellets is captured in a large ash pan, which must be cleaned periodically.
Unlike a standard fireplace, a pellet boiler heats a room by convection. As you probably know, hot air rises. As a gas rises in temperature, it becomes lighter and less dense, causing it to rise above the heavier cold air. Convection is the transfer of heat that occurs from this forced combination of cold and warm air currents. Thus, the convection fan draws cool air from the room, passing over the fire in the burn pot and making the flame hotter, allowing the pellets to burn evenly and efficiently.
This heated air then moves through a heat exchanger, which is designed to transfer clean air into your home via the room fan. The heat exchanger acts like a furnace when used in combustion, and is located in the combustion chamber to prevent the outside of the boiler from heating up. The exhaust fan pushes the gases out of a narrow pipe at the back of the boiler. This pipe can be vented into an existing chimney or connected to the outside. It is important to note that even if a chimney is not required, the exhaust fan is most effective when the pipe is installed at a vertical angle.
Finally, it should be noted that the boiler is operated by a thermostat that controls the amount of pellets that the auger feeds into the combustion chamber.
The first pellet boilers introduced to the market were square in shape and looked more like simple, unattractive wood stoves. However, their designs have been improved and in many cases the average consumer would have difficulty distinguishing them from a wood burning boiler. Pellet boilers come in built-in and freestanding models, with and without viewing windows.
A pellet boiler does not have a non-catalytic or catalytic interior, but it does have a combustion chamber that receives the pellets from the hopper. It may also have an automatic ignition and a programmable thermostat to keep the heat constant and comfortable.
Although both a pellet boiler and a wood boiler require regular cleaning and ash removal, the volume of ash is less with a pellet boiler, as are the emissions. It is recommended that unused pellets be removed at the end of a season to prevent rusting of the interior of the unit. Always remember, however, that a pellet boiler depends on electricity.
Wood-burning boilers are also available in built-in and freestanding models, with or without doors, fireplaces or fireplace inserts. Modern wood boilers are safer and more efficient than previous models. Older models emitted up to 30 g/h of smoke. Today, the best wood boilers will produce no more than 2 g/h of smoke.
A wood boiler requires more maintenance than a pellet boiler. For example, before the heating season, a home with a wood boiler should be swept and inspected regularly to ensure that all components are in working order. Excessive soot buildup in a wood boiler means that the unit is not working efficiently to heat the home.
Firewood is readily available and inexpensive. It will be even cheaper if you get free firewood. A traditional wood boiler will continue to provide heat during a power outage, while a pellet model will require a generator to operate, which can be an important consideration. Also, some wood boilers have cooking surfaces, which can be very useful in an emergency.
If you're looking for an economical way to add heat to your home and you can easily get firewood, a wood boiler might do the trick. As a bonus, you'll be able to heat your home (and probably cook a little) if you have a wood boiler, even if the electricity goes out.
If you anticipate similar firewood and pellet costs, have adequate storage for bags of pellets, and want a clean form of heating that you can set up and leave running independently all day, a pellet boiler would be a good choice.
Easy to install
Pellet boilers do not need complicated installation requirements like traditional fireplaces. They only require a vent pipe to evacuate the burnt gas produced during combustion. In addition, the installation of the vent pipe is very simple. You can do it yourself without calling a professional.
Easy to use and maintain
Pellet boilers usually have a power setting and automatic ignition, which makes them very easy to use. Models can use different systems, some controlled by a room thermostat while others use remote controls. The technology continues to get more sophisticated, as some models respond to commands sent via a mobile app or text message. Also, because they don't produce smoke, there's no fear of creosote buildup, which makes them fairly easy to maintain.
Highly efficient
Compared to a traditional fireplace, pellet boilers are about 90% more efficient in terms of heating capacity. In terms of energy consumption and use, pellets are cheaper than electricity and fossil fuels.
Can be autonomous
Thanks to their integrated hopper, pellet boilers can be fully functional for about half a day when the hopper is full. When a partial load of about 30% is introduced into the boiler, this increases the operating time from half a day to a day and a half.
Environmentally friendly
Pellet boilers are generally equipped with a computer system that ensures clean combustion. This leads to a very low ash content and very low carbon emissions. Pellet boilers also emit very little toxic chemicals and smoke compared to gas, traditional fossil fuel and wood burning models.
Uses a convenient energy source
Pellet boilers use pellets which are very affordable compared to other energy sources. In addition, the price of pellets has remained stable in recent years. The pellets are delivered ready to use, and are packaged in bags that are convenient to store and use.
In our opinion, the best brands of pellet boilers in 2022 are :
Everyone knows Interstoves for its wood and pellet stoves and boilers. The brand has its own research and innovation department. Interstoves products are mostly innovative. You will find a wide catalog of pellet boilers that can satisfy any budget.
The Ecoforest group was founded in Vigo, Spain, in 1959. The Keops brand specialized in the heating sector, until becoming in 1993, the leading manufacturer in the renewable biomass equipment market that presents the widest range of air stoves, water stoves and pellet boilers at the best price.
Invicta is a French brand created in 1924. A true nugget of the French foundry industry, it offers a wide range of products and provides ever more innovative products, both in terms of design and technology. Its cast iron stoves, fireplaces and inserts are particularly sought after for their quality and durability.
Strauss is a company specialized in the manufacture of pellet boilers. The best Strauss models demonstrate high efficiency. Strauss products are also known for their excellent price/performance ratios. When you choose a Strauss pellet boiler, you will never regret your purchase.
Osburn is one of the historic pellet boiler brands across the Atlantic. They are an American company that makes everything from pellet boilers to wood boilers and furnaces. The brand's most popular pellet boiler model is the Osburn 2500.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Use high quality pellets
When using the best pellets, your heating costs may increase slightly over using a lower quality fuel. However, by avoiding soot buildup and other problems with lower quality pellets, the extra expense is well worth it. Remember that pellets should have a low moisture content of no more than 10%. If your pellet stove also burns corn kernels, walnut shells, and wood chips, buy the best fuel of these types available.
Check the ash and dust content
Some pellet boilers can handle low- or high-ash pellets. Other models may clog or not burn properly if fed the wrong type of pellets. Make sure your pellets are the right type of ash for your boiler. Top-fed pellet stoves are often designed to work best with low-ash pellets.
Hire a professional to service your boiler each fall
Schedule an inspection of your pellet boiler before the cold weather arrives, which is in the fall. Only a professional will know how to check for broken, missing and dirty components on your pellet boiler. In particular, the technician will check the proper functioning of the firewalls, the pot and the combustion chamber of your pellet boiler. If necessary, it is advisable to call in a professional chimney sweep to check your smoke exhaust system. If you wait until the end of the season, cleaning can take much longer.
Clean your stove window periodically
Experts recommend cleaning the glass on your pellet stove at least once a week to prevent dirt from completely obscuring the glass. Soot, grime and ash build up quickly on the glass.
A weekly sawdust cleaning will increase the efficiency of your pellet boiler
Pellet boilers require at least a weekly cleaning to remove collected sawdust, ash and soot. Cleaning the hopper and feed areas is not difficult, but buy a cleaning kit with an efficient and ergonomic broom, whisk and dust pan to make your job even easier.
If you choose a pellet boiler that is too powerful for your home, you will force it to run at its lowest setting all the time. This underuse causes clogging, requiring more regular maintenance. A maximum output of 8 kW is sufficient to heat a well-insulated home efficiently. In addition, the wider the power range of the boiler, the better the temperature control. The best pellet boilers have an adjustable output between 2.5 and 8 kW, ensuring real thermal comfort.
A pellet boiler is a type of biomass heating appliance that burns compressed wood pellets to generate heat. The pellet boiler looks like a traditional wood boiler. But it is often a more efficient and environmentally friendly option. In fact, pellet boilers can be considered carbon neutral, because the carbon dioxide released by their use remains close to the amount of carbon released by naturally decomposing wood.
Because a pellet boiler, like a fireplace, is an attractive addition to a room, it is best to place it where the family can enjoy it and where it will provide the greatest benefit as a heating source. But there are several other considerations when deciding where to install a new pellet boiler. In most cases, it's best to choose a central location for a freestanding pellet boiler, as this allows its heat to serve the entire surrounding area.
Yes. Pellet boilers require a non-combustible floor surface for safe and proper installation and operation. Your manufacturer should be able to provide you with a list of safe materials to use to support your pellet boiler. Each pellet boiler model is unique and may have different requirements.
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