Most pellet burners look like a conventional woodburner - and are available free-standing or as an existing fireplace insert. You can even get a basement-mounted furnace for central heating.

There are, however, significant differences.

Pellet burners burn only compressed wood pellets (pictured right), which you buy in 20kg plastic bags. The pellets are loaded into a hopper at the back of the unit and are fed into the fire by an automatic feed system.

Adjusting the rate the pellets are consumed gives you control over the amount of heat produced.

In some models, a thermostat can be used to keep an even room temperature - and a timer can provide automatic switching-on and -off.

With freestanding and insert models a hopper load of pellets lasts for around 24 hours of continuous burning, and these models produce a similar amount of heat to a conventional woodburner.

Most pellet burners are imported, mainly from Canada or Europe - although Parkwood and McKenzie are now producing locally manufactured models. See Models compared for more on the models of pellet burner available.

We think there's potential for more pellet burners designed and made in New Zealand.

Market potential

Pellet burners could become a major force in New Zealand home heating. We have plenty of wood-waste from our timber-processing industries.

There are now five pellet plants throughout the New Zealand. Total national production capacity is around 100,000 tonnes per annum, but in 2006 production was around 20,000 tonnes. So there's room for growth in the industry.

Burning pellets is sustainable and about as pollution friendly as home heating can get. What is needed is a better infrastructure for selling the pellets, and for a greater range of heaters to be more widely available.

Pellets can be obtained from some hardware chains and home-heating shops. Bulk deliveries can be arranged by calling 0800 PELLET. Prices vary from $8.75 to $12 per 20kg sack, depending on your location.

We suggest you check on pellet price/availability in your area before you purchase a burner.