Clean, efficient and ecological. Pellets seem built for these days of climate concern and economic pressure. It has become the fuel of choice, especially with rising electricity bills and concerns about power reliability in Europe. A French invention, designed to be a modern refractory brazier, now makes it possible to use pellets in any wood stove or fireplace.
Wood heating creates a warm home atmosphere that few other systems can match. Yet cutting, drying, transporting, and storing wood is cumbersome. As the expert portal Ecoinventos notes, logs demand labor, space and ongoing maintenance.
Pellets are far easier to handle and store; they eliminate the need to cut wood, are more ecological than gas, coal, diesel or firewood, and they produce less ash than traditional wood-burning fireplaces.
Despite notable price increases in recent months, pellets are still cheaper than gas, diesel and electricity. The relief comes in part from a VAT reduction announced by the government, lowering the rate from 21% to 5% and delivering tangible savings for households.
In the wake of the tax change, which is set to run until 31 December, consumer savings are projected to reach around 19.4 million euros, according to calculations by the Organization of Consumers and Users. The tax cut aims to offset the 67% rise in pellet prices seen last year.
practical solution
Dominique Chenais, a professional with thirty years of experience in pellet stoves and fireplaces, is credited with authoring this mechanism. He recalls that the idea originated from customer inquiries about burning wood pellets in homes with traditional wood fireplaces.
The inventor described a practical option for those who do not want or cannot transport heavy logs or store firewood. Through the company BFC Confort, he developed what is called a pellet stove—a brazier, essentially a steel basket of varying sizes that sits directly above the fireplace.
Chenais notes that this heating method remains supplementary to other systems. It is not intended as the primary heating method when temperatures fall sharply.
The first model was cast iron and sold mainly at fairs. The newer version is steel, lighter, more accessible, and available for purchase on the company’s website. Prices range from 310 to 420 euros, with a full patio fireplace option at about 1,440 euros.
The inventor believes the refractory brazier is ideal for reviving fireplaces and wood stoves without the need for work, remodeling, or technical assistance. A 3 to 7 kilogram pellet capacity barbecue allegedly provides 3 to 6 hours of heating.
High calorific value
Pellets consist of small cylinders, 6 to 10 millimeters long, made from dry sawdust without additives. They are a form of biomass derived from biological or mechanical processes, such as sawdust and wood chips discarded during furniture making. The calories are high, around 4,180 kcal per kilogram.
So why is this heating method so much more ecological than gas, diesel, electric systems, coal or firewood? The reason is a neutral CO2 balance: trees absorb CO2 as they grow, and only the CO2 released during combustion returns to the air.
Several reports indicate that using pellets instead of natural gas or coal can cut the carbon footprint by as much as 90%. Some estimates also suggest that pellet use can reduce home heating bills by up to 50%.
Pellet consumption has risen rapidly in recent years, especially in detached housing, which is the main user of this biofuel. In 2021, Spain consumed more than 700,000 tons of pellets, about four times the amount from a decade earlier. Projections for this year estimate production above 800,000 tons, with industry growth between 30 and 40 percent. The typical pellet stove cost is around 2,000 euros, though prices vary by model. Initiatives like Chenais’ help trim household expenses considerably.
Reference article: Ecoinventos estufa de pellets (citation: Ecoinventos article).
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Contact: environment department inquiry (citation: government environmental department).