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If you have radiators or underfloor heating and want to move away from heating oil or gas, a pellet boiler is the most convenient way to heat your home with biomass: it runs automatically, can be programmed from your phone, and only needs you to refill the hopper and empty the ashes from time to time.
In this guide, we explain how it works, how to choose the right capacity and model, how many pellets you can expect to use over a winter at 2026 prices, and what installation requires.
An honest note before we begin: Ecoforest manufactures its products and sells them through authorized distributors and installers, so it does not publish retail prices. The consumption figures in this guide are illustrative examples to help you make your own calculations.
Quick answers
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What is it? | A boiler that burns pellets automatically to heat the water for radiators or underfloor heating. It can also provide domestic hot water. |
| Typical capacities for a home | From 20 to 30 kW in the Ecoforest range (Vap 5-20, Vap 24, Cantina Nova 30 and Vap 30). The Vap 100 is for buildings and high heating demands. |
| Efficiency | Between 90,2 % and 94 % for Ecoforest’s domestic models. |
| Estimated consumption | Around 3,5 tonnes of pellets a year for a heating demand of 15.000 kWh (detailed example below). |
| Pellet cost | An average of 5,67 € per 15 kg bag in the second quarter of 2026, according to the AVEBIOM price index. |
| Difference from firewood | No manual loading is needed: fuel feeding, ignition and cleaning are automatic. |
How a pellet boiler works
An auger carries pellets from the hopper to the burner, where an electric igniter lights them. Heat from combustion passes through a heat exchanger into the water, which a pump circulates through the radiators or underfloor heating. The electronic controls continuously adjust the pellet feed and airflow to match the boiler’s output to the home’s heating needs.
Ecoforest pellet boilers automatically regulate combustion air, pellet feed and pump flow rate. They use software to control flow and return temperatures, can be managed via WiFi and the Internet, and can control the domestic hot water tank, buffer tank and hoppers.
Ecoforest pellet boilers
| Model | Output | Efficiency | Hopper | Runtime | Consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vap 5-20 | 20 kW | 94 % | 67 kg | 62–15 h | 1,1–4,4 kg/h |
| Vap 24 | 24 kW | 93,7 % | 54 kg | 39–10 h | 1,4–5,2 kg/h |
| Cantina Nova 30 | 30 kW | 93,1 % | 116 kg | 40–18 h | 2,9–6,5 kg/h |
| Vap 30 | 30,2 kW | 90,2 % | 132 kg | 74–20 h | 1,8–6,7 kg/h |
| Vap 100 | 100 kW | — | — | — | — |
Figures are from Ecoforest product specifications. Runtime depends on the output at which the boiler operates: the higher figure corresponds to minimum output and the lower figure to maximum output.
- Vap 5-20 and Vap 24: include automatic cleaning of the heat exchanger and burn pot, ash compaction and a removable external ash drawer. They are a typical choice for a single-family home.
- Cantina Nova 30: a multi-fuel model (pellets and olive stones), with automatic heat exchanger cleaning and a 116 kg hopper.
- Vap 30: offers the longest runtime in the domestic range thanks to its 132 kg hopper, which can be detached to make installation easier.
How to choose the right output
The boiler’s output must cover your home’s heat loss on the coldest days, and only your installer can calculate that accurately. As a general guide:
- A boiler that is too large runs at low output almost all the time, operates less efficiently and produces more deposits.
- A boiler that is too small cannot meet demand on the coldest days.
- If it will also provide domestic hot water, the installer must take this into account when sizing the hot water tank.
- Output modulation allows a correctly sized boiler to run at just the right output for most of the winter.
How many pellets does a pellet boiler use?
You can estimate consumption using the same formula as for any fuel-fired boiler:
Pellets per year (kg) = heating demand (kWh) ÷ (pellet calorific value × boiler efficiency)
ENplus A1-certified pellets have a minimum calorific value of 4,6 kWh per kilogram. You can learn how the different varieties compare in our guide to pellet types and certifications.
Illustrative example: a 150 m² home
A 150 m² single-family home with an annual heating demand of 15.000 kWh (100 kWh per m², typical of homes without major insulation upgrades) and a boiler with 93 % efficiency:
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Pellets needed | 15.000 ÷ (4,6 × 0,93) ≈ 3.500 kg |
| Cost when buying bags (5,67 € per 15 kg) | ≈ 1.320 € per year |
| Cost when buying by the pallet (372,29 €/t) | ≈ 1.300 € per year |
Average prices from the AVEBIOM price index for the second quarter of 2026, including VAT. Pellet prices vary by area, purchasing format (bags, pallets or bulk delivery by tanker truck) and time of year: buying in summer and in larger quantities is usually cheaper.
If you currently use heating oil, this practical example calculates the actual savings and payback period when switching from heating oil to pellets.
What installation requires
- A water-based heating circuit (radiators or underfloor heating). If you are replacing a heating oil boiler, you can reuse the existing circuit.
- Space for the boiler and pellets: either the boiler’s own hopper or a silo or storage area if you want longer intervals between refills.
- A flue with the diameter specified by the manufacturer (100 mm for the Vap 5-20 and Vap 24).
- A buffer tank and domestic hot water tank when required by the system design: Ecoforest boilers can control them directly. See buffer tanks.
- A qualified installer: the installation must comply with the RITE.
If you have underfloor heating, you may find our guide to pellet boilers for underfloor heating useful.
Pellet boiler, pellet hydro stove or wood-fired boiler
| Pellet boiler | Pellet hydro stove | Wood-fired boiler | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it goes | Boiler room, garage or utility room | In the living room, on display | Boiler room |
| Heats the room it is in | No | Yes, as well as the water | No |
| Time between refills | Long (large hoppers) | Moderate | Short: manual loading |
| Automation | Full | Full | Minimal |
| Ideal for | Replacing a heating oil or gas boiler | Homes where the living room is the focal point | People with inexpensive or their own firewood |
We compare pellet boilers and hydro stoves in detail and explain when a wood-fired boiler makes sense.
Maintenance
- Emptying the ash drawer: much less frequently on models with ash compaction and an external drawer.
- Cleaning the heat exchanger: automatic on the Vap 5-20, Vap 24, Vap 30 and Cantina Nova 30.
- Annual servicing by a service technician, including a check of the flue.
- Using certified pellets, which leave less ash and provide better performance.
Frequently asked questions
Can a pellet boiler provide domestic hot water?
Yes, with a connected domestic hot water tank. Ecoforest pellet boilers can manage the tank directly through their electronic controls.
How often do you need to fill the hopper?
It depends on the output at which the boiler runs and the size of the hopper. According to the product specifications, runtime ranges from 10 to 39 hours for the Vap 24 and from 20 to 74 hours for the Vap 30, depending on the output.
Where can I buy pellets?
From biomass suppliers, large retailers or home delivery services. We have a guide to where to buy pellets in Spain.
How much does an Ecoforest pellet boiler cost?
The price depends on the model, installation and accessories. Request a no-obligation quote through the quote request page, and we will put you in touch with an installer in your area.
Conclusion
A pellet boiler lets you heat your home with biomass without sacrificing convenience: automatic fuel feeding, ignition and cleaning, control from your phone and stable fuel costs. Choose the right output, use certified pellets and work with a good installer. Explore all Ecoforest pellet boilers.
