A wood pellet stove which which gives full central heating capability is roughly the same size as one which just heats the room that it's in.

The amount of space you need to install one, varies between manufacturers, but on average you're looking at: 520mm width, 1055mm height, 700mm depth to allow for the flue to exit at the rear of the stove, plus access above the stove to fill the internal pellet store. 

You can put the stove almost anywhere: either using an existing chimney or installing a new twin wall flue internally, that goes up through rooms and exits through the roof, or putting in a new twin wall flue that exits through an outside wall and then goes up to the roof externally. 

These installations would all need to be within the building control regulations. It is always wise to check with your local authority whether you need planning permission.

Photo by cat segovia

About the author: Mike Mackmurdie is the director of A Mackmurdie Ltd, installers of biomass and solar water heating.

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