My experience with a pellet stove in France: breakdowns, costs and hard work

To the Editor,

Further to the recent letter about pellet stoves: they really can be a nightmare.

I rented a 300-year-old farmhouse near Périgueux last October with a pellet stove in the grand salon (thankfully, the bedrooms had mini-split units). 

When it works, it produces excellent heat and can be programmed or switched on remotely, which is convenient.

However, the drawbacks are significant.

Complex technology: The stove’s safety features are so sensitive that it frequently shuts down over minor issues. 

In my case (an Italian Jolly Mec model), a faulty remote left me without heat for over a week in winter. 

Replacements had to be ordered from Italy, one arrived incorrect, and the eventual fix required a technician to sync it. In the meantime, I had to access the unit via a trapdoor just to operate it.

Cost: Pellets cost around €5 per 15kg bag, and I used at least one bag per day in winter. The stove also requires electricity, so there are additional costs - and no heating at all during power cuts. 

Storage: I typically bought 10 bags at a time, but an online bulk order once led to a €300 fraud case, later refunded by my bank.

Physical labour: Handling 15kg bags is demanding, especially without assistance from suppliers. 

The stove also requires daily cleaning (producing soot and dust), plus weekly and monthly maintenance. A large vacuum cleaner must be kept nearby and regularly emptied and cleaned.

All told, it felt like a full-time responsibility. Perhaps it is easier than a wood-burning stove, but I would not want to manage it alongside a demanding job.

K.R., by email

Have you had a better experience with pellet stoves? Let us know at letters@connexionfrance.com