Kamin and pellet stoves: test experts Answer |Stiftung Warentest

The top3 questions

Moderator:Before the chat, the readers already had the opportunity to ask and evaluate questions.Here is the TOP1 question from the pre-chat:

Floc44: In my knowledge, there are also combinations of pieces (stove) and pellet stoves that also have a hot water connection and can be combined with a solar system.So you can mostly heat with piece of wood and switch to pellet operation if you are away for a long time.Can you make statements about their energy efficiency and environmental properties?

Michael Koswig: There are different ideas to heat with wood.Of course, we couldn't take all of them into account in this first oven test.Such examinations are too expensive for this.The combined devices mentioned were unfortunately not included in the test this time.So far you have no large market share.The principle sounds tempting, but the basic problem arises in the construction whether the combustion chamber for pellets or wooden section should be optimized.It is rather questionable whether both can succeed at the same time.That would be an exciting question for another test.

Moderator:...And here is the TOP2 question:

Heizer: When are stoves worthwhile with heat exchangers?

Peter Schick: You should calculate this individually for each system or for your house.On the one hand, the more expensive oven, the larger combination memory and the sometimes higher installation effort.On the other hand, the savings are saved in fuel costs.A lot depends on whether you have a cheap wooden source at all.In any case, the oven must be in operation often and for a long time so that the high investment costs can be amortized.

Michael Koswig: Financially interesting, the installation of a pellet oven with a water connection in the construction of a low-energy or passive house can be.Here the installation effort does not have to be greater than when installing another heating system.In addition, the exhaust gas values were significantly better in the test in pellet stoves with water connection than with the corresponding stoves.

Moderator:...And the TOP3 question:

Tom: You recommend an oven "Hark".At the same time, however, the Internet is full of complaints from former “Hark” customers who would never buy a stove again there.The service seems to be "underground".Did the customer service go into the assessment?

Michael Koswig: No, we were unable to examine customer service as part of this test.