Clean, efficient and ecological. The pellet appears ideal for these times of climate urgency and economic stress. This fuel has become increasingly relevant as electricity prices rise and concerns about power reliability grow in Europe. A French innovation, an advanced refractory brazier, addressed a key limitation by enabling pellets to be used in any wood stove or fireplace, expanding their practical application.
Wood heating creates a distinctive, cozy ambiance that few other systems can match. Yet logs can be impractical: cutting, drying, transporting, and storing them adds hassle and mess. Pellets offer a simpler alternative, delivering a consistent burn with less maintenance and less ash than traditional wood burning. Pellets are also widely considered more ecologically friendly than gas, coal, diesel, or wood alone.
Pellets are easier to handle and store, require no cutting, and are commonly viewed as a greener option than competing fuels. They produce less ash and typically offer cleaner combustion compared with wood fireplaces.
Even with noticeable price increases in recent months, pellets remain cheaper than gas, diesel and electricity. The cost advantage grew even more when a government decision reduced the value added tax from 21% to 5%, providing additional relief for consumers.
The tax amendment, effective through the first stage and valid until 31 December, is estimated to save consumers about 19.4 million euros, according to calculations by the Consumer and User Organization. The reduction aims to partially offset a 67% rise in pellet prices observed last year.
practical solution
Turning to the inventor, Dominic Chenais, a professional with thirty years’ experience in pellet stoves and fireplaces, developed the mechanism. He explains that the idea emerged after receiving requests from customers who owned wood burning fireplaces and asked if it was possible to burn wood pellets. The result was a practical option for those who do not want or cannot handle heavy logs or deal with floor storage for firewood. He created what he later called a pellet stove basket through his company, BFC Confort. The brazier is a steel basket of various sizes and shapes placed directly above the fireplace.
Chenais notes that while this heating method is useful, it remains a complementary option rather than a primary heating source, especially when outdoor temperatures are very cold. The first model was cast in iron and sold at fairs. The newer steel version is lighter, more accessible, and available for purchase on the company’s site. Typical prices range from 310 to 420 euros, with a complete patio fireplace option around 1,440 euros.
The inventor describes the refractory brazier as a way to revive existing fireplaces and wood stoves without major renovations or professional interventions. A three to seven kilogram pellet capacity barbecue can provide between three and six hours of heating, according to the BFC Confort information.
high calorific power
Pellets are small cylinders, six to ten millimeters long, made from dry sawdust and other biomass byproducts. They originate from wood processing waste such as sawdust and wood chips that would otherwise be discarded in furniture manufacturing. Pellets offer a high calorific value, typically around 4,180 calories per kilogram.
Why is this heating method more environmentally friendly than gas, diesel, electricity, coal or traditional wood? The CO2 balance is largely neutral because trees absorb CO2 during growth, and only the CO2 released during combustion adds to the atmosphere. This fundamental cycle makes pellet-based heating relatively climate-friendly.
Several studies indicate that using pellets instead of natural gas or coal can reduce the carbon footprint by up to 90%. Some estimates also show that pellet heating can cut home heating bills by as much as 50%. Pellet usage has risen sharply in recent years, especially in single-family homes, the primary market for this biofuel. In 2021, more than 700,000 tons of pellets were consumed in Spain, about four times higher than a decade earlier. Projections this year suggest production exceeding 800,000 tons, with sector growth between 30% and 40%. Typical pellet stove costs are around 2,000 euros, though prices vary by model.
Major reports align on the environmental and economic benefits of pellets and pellet stoves, reinforcing their role as a practical, cleaner heating option that complements traditional systems rather than replacing them outright.
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Environment department contact address: [redacted]