Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Where can I buy wood pellets in New Zealand?

Ans: Look at the table on wood pellet suppliers.

Question 2: Where can I buy a wood burner/stove or boiler?

Ans: Look at the table on wood pellet burners and boiler retailers / manufacturers and suppliers.

Question 3: Do I need a permit/building consent/ resource consent to install a wood burner/stove or boiler?

Ans: Yes. Exactly what you need depends on your specific situation and where you live. Typically, all solid and liquid fuel space heaters (ie wood, pellet or diesel burners) require a building consent.

As an example, for Christchurch residents further details are available at the Christchurch City Council website.

Contact your local authority to find out the exact requirements. Some areas of the country require low emission burners in particular those like Christchurch and Nelson with recurring Air Quality issues.

Question 4: Pellets can be dropped automatically into the burner. Are there noise issues with the pellets?

Ans: There is some low level noise associated with the burner but this is typically in relation to the operation of the fan which circulates the heat.

Question 5: What are pellets made from?

Ans: Pellets are made from woodwaste, typically sawdust and shavings. They are 100% wood and the natural resin in the wood binds them together. They are smooth to touch and don’t smell.

Question 6: How much does a pellet stove/burner or boiler cost?

Ans: Typically, an installed fire will cost between $3,500 - $5,500.

Question 7: How many tonnes of pellets would I need to heat my 3-4 bedroom detached house?
[coming soon]

Question 8: What size of a stove/burner of boiler would I need for my home?
[coming soon]

Question 9: Are there any grants available to help cover the costs of installing a Wood Pellet stove/burner or boiler?

Ans: yes, some Government funding (grants and loans) is available and covers wood pellets [conditions apply] – see Finance and Grants

Question 10: What happens if there is an electricity power cut? Will my boiler still work?

Ans: The boiler needs mains electricity to run the fan, pumps and fuel feed equipment. Less than 0.5 kW is needed. Some models have their own back-up power supply in the event of a mains power failure but it would be possible to run the fire using a basic 12 volt battery and current inverter.