Pellet stoves
Arya 8
Arya 11
Zoe
Alaska
How a pellet stove works
Pellets travel from the hopper to the burn pot via a motorised auger. An electric igniter lights them, one fan feeds the combustion and a second fan blows warm air into the room. Flue gases exit through a dedicated flue.
Everything is managed by a control unit that adjusts the amount of pellets and air according to the required temperature. On models with a room thermostat, the stove reads the actual room temperature and modulates its heat output instead of running on a fixed cycle.
What you need to install it: a compliant flue, a power socket and a combustion air intake. No changes to the heating system are needed.
What heat output does your home need?
The starting point is roughly 1 kW per 10 m² in a home with average insulation and standard ceilings. It is a rough estimate: the actual heat output depends on three factors.
Insulation. A class A home may need half the heat output of an uninsulated 1970s building.
Room layout. An air stove heats the room it is in well, and the others only slightly. A ducted stove distributes warm air to adjacent rooms and covers a larger area for the same heat output.
Climate zone. The same floor area needs different heat outputs in Verona and in Bolzano.
| Area | Indicative heat output | Models |
|---|---|---|
| up to 80 m² | 8.8 kW | Arya 8, Zoe, Alaska |
| up to 120 m² | 12.1 kW | Arya 11 |
Best not to oversize: a stove that is too powerful always runs at minimum, with less efficient combustion and more residues.
Air or ducted?
Air (ventilated). A fan blows warm air into the room. It is the solution for a single room or an open-plan space, where heat spreads naturally.
Ducted. In addition to front ventilation, dedicated ducts carry warm air to other rooms: the bedroom, the hallway, the room upstairs. The pipe routes need to be planned, so it is easier during a renovation or new build.
The practical difference: for the same heat output, a ducted stove covers a larger area because it distributes heat rather than concentrating it. If your home is split into several separate rooms, it is the only real choice.
All our models also let you switch off the fans at low settings: natural convection keeps the air moving and the stove runs silently.
How much does a pellet stove consume?
Consumption ranges from 0.75 kg/h at minimum to 1.8 kg/h at maximum heat output on a unit from our range. Over a day of modulated operation, that means roughly 10-15 kg — less than one bag.
Two factors matter more than nominal heat output.
Efficiency. A unit rated at 92.5% converts almost all the fuel’s energy into heat. Every point lower is pellets burned that go straight up the chimney.
Burn pot cleanliness. This is the factor nobody considers. In a traditional burn pot, residues build up, block the air holes and efficiency drops day after day. The ROTOX360 self-cleaning burn pot removes residues at every cycle: the declared consumption stays the same even after months of operation.
Environmental class and incentives
Italian DM 186/2017 rates biomass appliances from 2 to 5 stars based on emissions. 5 stars is the highest level and matters for two reasons.
Access to incentives. Conto Termico (Italy’s government incentive scheme for renewable heating) and tax deductions require it as a minimum.
Being able to use the appliance where restrictions apply. Several Italian regions restrict biomass use in the winter months below a certain class.
All our pellet stoves are 5-star certified. Read the full guide to incentives.
Frequently asked questions
Can a pellet stove replace radiators?
No. An air stove heats the room it is in and, if ducted, the connected rooms. To supply the heating system you need a hydro pellet stove or a pellet boiler.
Is a flue required?
Yes. A pellet stove requires a flue gas outlet compliant with UNI 10683 (the Italian installation standard). A through-wall outlet is only permitted where regional regulations allow it.
How noisy is a pellet stove?
It depends on the model. Ours use a brushless feed motor, which eliminates the mechanical clicking of traditional augers, and let you switch off the fans at low settings, leaving natural convection to do the work.
How often does it need cleaning?
The ROTOX360 burn pot cleans itself. What remains is periodic cleaning of the glass and ash pan, plus annual servicing by a technician, which is required to keep the warranty and to qualify for incentives.
How long does a pellet stove last?
With regular maintenance, around 15–20 years. Lifespan depends mainly on the quality of the pellets used and on correct flue installation.