Pelletkessel

Pelletkessel, or pellet boiler, is a heating appliance that burns compact wood pellets to heat water for space heating and domestic hot water. It is a type of automatic biomass boiler designed for residential or commercial use. The fuel is stored in a hopper or silo and fed to the combustion chamber by an auger or feeder. A controlled combustion process, often with a forced-air fan and electronic control, enables continuous operation and automatic ignition.

Heat is transferred from the combustion chamber to a water circuit through a heat exchanger. The flue gases are vented through a chimney or dedicated exhaust system. Many models support integration with buffer storage tanks and, in some cases, solar thermal systems to increase efficiency and reduce running costs. Pellet boilers are available in a range of sizes, commonly from about 5 kW to 40 kW for homes; larger installations are used for multi‑family buildings or district heating.

Efficiency and emissions are influenced by design and fuel quality. Modern pellet boilers typically achieve high energy efficiency, roughly in the 85–95 percent range, with condensing variants delivering higher net efficiencies. Emissions, particularly particulates and NOx, are generally low compared with fossil fuels, thanks to clean-burning pellets and advanced combustion control. Pellet quality (moisture content and particle size) affects ash production and maintenance needs.

Installation and maintenance require professional handling. Proper venting, electrical supply, and control integration are essential, and annual service includes cleaning of the heat exchanger, ash removal, and system check. Pelletkessels offer a renewable heating option with the potential for subsidies or incentives in several countries.