When you own a chalet in the Alps, the choice of heating system is an essential consideration. Between harsh winters, weekends away and soaring bills, it's hard to find the ideal solution. The pellet stove has established itself in recent years as a particularly appropriate solution, but does it really deserve its reputation?
🔥 Performance that makes a difference
The figures speak for themselves. Where an old electric radiator has an efficiency ceiling of 40%, a good pellet stove easily achieves 90%, or even 95% for recent models. In practical terms, almost all the energy in the pellets is transformed into useful heat. That's why so many homeowners are taking the plunge.
The big advantage? Scheduling. Are you leaving on Sunday evening and returning the following Friday? The stove heats at a minimum during the week, then automatically restarts the temperature two hours before your arrival. No more freezing cold chalets or radiators running unnecessarily all week. This autonomy makes a real difference to everyday life, especially in a second home.
💰 Real savings over time
The price of wood pellets remains stable, unlike electricity, which is steadily rising. In 2025, it will cost around €1,200 a year to heat a well-insulated 120 m² chalet properly. That's often half the price of electricity, and the gap is widening.
Admittedly, installation requires an initial investment of between €4,000 and €7,000. But there is plenty of support available: MaPrimeRénov’ can cover up to €2,500, the reduced VAT rate of 5.5% lowers the bill, and some regions offer supplements. As a result, the net cost is often around €3,500 to €4,500, with a payback period of 5 to 8 years depending on your current consumption.
🌲 The weight of the ecological argument
The pellets come from recycled sawdust and shavings from local sawmills. In other words, we're making the most of waste that would otherwise go up in smoke or to landfill. The carbon footprint remains virtually neutral, since the CO₂ released corresponds to that absorbed by the tree during its growth.
For those looking to reduce their environmental footprint without sacrificing comfort, this is a real solution. Especially as DINplus or ENplus certified pellets guarantee responsible production and consistent quality.
⚠️ The constraints we prefer to know about beforehand
Let's be honest, there are a few things to think about. The stove makes a bit of noise, around 40 decibels in normal operation, comparable to a recent dishwasher. If your bedroom is next to the living room, this can be a nuisance some nights.
Maintenance also requires regularity. Weekly ash removal, monthly cleaning of the crucible, compulsory annual sweeping. Expect to pay €200 a year for professional maintenance, plus your time. It's not insurmountable, but you need to plan ahead.
The last point is storage. Three to four tonnes of pellets per winter require 4 to 5 m² of dry space. Some people opt for a silo, while others stack the bags in a lean-to or the garage. The important thing is to keep the pellets dry.
⚖️ Compared with other heating solutions
Heat pumps often compete with pellet stoves. Its theoretical efficiency is well in excess of 100% thanks to the coefficient of performance, but in practice it struggles when the mercury drops below -10°C. And at an average installation cost of €15,000, the bill quickly rises. The stove remains more affordable and, above all, it works just as well at -20°C as it does at +5°C.
The good old-fashioned wood-burning stove still captivates with its authentic charm and crackling flames. But its output rarely reaches 80%, and above all, you have to feed it manually every 3 hours. It's impossible to get away for the day without the fire going out. Pellets provide that autonomy that changes everything.
As for electric heating, it's easy to install but costs two to three times more to run. It's hard to justify the extra cost when you're heating for several months of the year.
🏡 A concrete example with the Boréal chalet
In Arâches-la-Frasse, on chalet Boréal (currently on sale at Alpimmorama), with an area of 173 m², is a perfect example of this winning strategy. Fitted with a high-performance pellet-burning insert, reinforced insulation and a thermodynamic ventilation system, this property costs around €1,600 per inhabitant per year. The same volume heated with electricity would easily cost €3,800 a year, giving annual savings of €2,200 a year. This type of energy-efficient chalet is exactly what buyers are looking for when they want to keep their bills under control while preserving their comfort.
✅ Key facts
The pellet stove meets three major expectations: reduce energy costs, gain autonomyand limit its environmental impact. Its exceptional efficiency and stable pellet prices make it a solid option for years to come.
But beware of preconceived ideas. It's not a miracle solution, and it's not totally silent. The initial investment requires careful thought, maintenance cannot be improvised, and you have to accept a few practical constraints.
This solution is particularly suitable for second-home owners who want to control temperatures remotely, for ecologically-minded families, and for those looking to stabilise their energy costs over the long term.
Before taking the plunge, get several quotes from RGE-certified installers. This is a condition of access to financial aid and, above all, it guarantees that the installation complies with standards, and is adapted to your size and pace of life. An undersized stove will run constantly at full blast, while an oversized model will clog up from lack of use. Sizing makes all the difference.
Contact Alpimmorama for a list of qualified and certified professionals!
