- Wood pellets are placed into a hopper (1)
- An electric auger (3) feeds the pellets into a burn grate (7) at a rate determined by the temperature control
- An automatic igniter (5) starts the fire (optional on some units)
- Fire heats the air in heat exchange tubes (6) and a convection fan (2) blows this heated, uncontaminated air into the room where a stove is situated
- There is an ash pan (4) below the burn grate into which the residue falls. Typically, a stove only needs to be filled once a day and the ash pan needs to be emptied only once or twice a year.
A pellet fire needs to be cleaned regularly by the owner to ensure that it operates efficiently.
It is recommended that pellet fires are given a comprehensive service every year or after the burning of 66 bags of pellets (one tonne) – whichever comes first. We recommend this be carried out by a Heatstore accredited serviceman. Please contact us to arrange for an appointment here.
If the fire will not light check that both the burn pot and burn pot liner are installed correctly. The installer will demonstrate how to position the burn pot liner in the fire and this must be clean and all holes visible prior to starting the fire every day. When inserted the low side of the burn pot liner must face the back of the firebox. This will ensure that the holes align correctly with the electric igniter (where installed) and that the fire will start.
Re-start the fire once these have been correctly placed.
Our range of pellet fires need electricity to run. If the electricity goes off while the fire is operating it will simply shut down. When the electricity comes on again the fire can be restarted.
Pellet fires use very little electricity, and during electrical outages they can be run using a simple 12 volt battery and current inverter.
There are two options available if you lose your manual. The first is you can visit our showroom and we can supply you with a copy, or you can visit our supplier’s website here and follow the links to the owner’s manuals.
All of the pellet fires we sell are “clean heat approved” in line with all local Council and Government standards in New Zealand.
The efficiency of pellet fires is very high and ranges between 75% and 82%. Fan forced combustion allows the fires to burn very cleanly and without smoke.
Pellet fires contain two fans and an electric auger. Continued improvements over the past few years have seen fans mounted in a way that minimise noise. However, when the appliance is running there will be a small amount of noise associated with the fans and the air movement they produce.
Pellet fuel is available from Heatstore in one tonne delivered loads. Smaller amounts can be purchased from our showroom.
Pellets should be stored in a dry, covered area.
One tonne of pellets measures 1.3 cubic meters. This is about 1/3 of the space the same amount of wood would require for storage.
The pellets are made from New Zealand pine wood waste. The source material is sawdust and shavings, a by-product of timber milling, which historically would be disposed of in landfills. Pellets are 100% wood and contain no glues or chemicals. The natural resin in the wood binds the pellets together and gives them their glossy appearance.
New Zealand has a remarkably large timber industry with a plentiful forestry resource. This resource is being managed for sustainability to ensure the supply is continuously renewed for future use. Because wood pellets are made out of wood waste from the timber industry, this means that the pellets by nature are a renewable and sustainable fuel source. Pellets are one of the only fuels New Zealand has in a large and reliable supply.
Wood waste is abundant, renewable, accessible and readily available, all at a low cost. Wood pellets will continue to be available at a price which will remain very competitive with other fuel options, well into the future.
Yes. The flue on pellet fires is small and can readily be installed internally or externally. A range of bends is available to allow for corner installations or to divert around any problem objects that may be encountered.
