More and more households are choosing wood heating to get through the winter. Log and pellet stoves are appealing because they are economical and environmentally friendly at a time when energy costs are rising and the energy transition is becoming a necessity.
In France, around 7.5 million households used wood for heating in 2024, according to ADEME. However, this method of heating is not without consequences: if combustion is poor, it can emit pollutants that are harmful to indoor and outdoor air quality.
Aware of this paradox, British engineer Marc Howell, founder of Island Pellet Stoves, has designed a new generation of pellet stoves that promise clean combustion and healthier heating.
A computer-controlled pellet stove for optimised combustion
The core of the innovation lies in the precise control of wood pellet combustion. These pellets, made from compressed sawdust, contain less than 1% ash and less than 10% water, making them particularly suitable for clean combustion. Marc Howell has developed a fully automated, computer-controlled stove that can ignite the pellets and regulate their feed autonomously.
The key element of this technology is the preheating of the combustion air, achieved by means of a ‘suction convector’ that uses the heat from the exhaust gases. This system ensures more complete combustion, significantly reduces pollutant emissions and improves overall energy efficiency. The result is efficient, environmentally friendly heating that is healthier for occupants.
Patented technology for clean, healthy combustion
Marc Howell spent seven years of research and development perfecting this technology in his garage near Cowbridge. His goal was to offer households the warmth and atmosphere of a wood fire without the disadvantages of pollution. ‘We knew it was possible to recreate the experience of a real wood fire while drastically reducing emissions,’ he explains.
This new-generation stove not only aims to improve indoor air quality, but also to protect the health of residents, while using a renewable fuel. By combining energy efficiency with reduced environmental impact, it represents a concrete response to the current challenges of domestic heating.
Innovative models for all needs
The innovation doesn’t stop there: pellets are loaded automatically from the storage hopper to the firebox by a computer-controlled auger, eliminating the need to open the stove door during operation. This further limits the emission of particles into the indoor air. Island Pellet Stoves offers several models to meet different needs: Lundy 5, Lundy 8, Ramsey, etc.
The Lundy 5 model, for example, stands out for its quiet, economical and environmentally friendly operation. With these innovations, Marc Howell is redefining the future of wood heating, proving that it is possible to combine comfort, environmental friendliness and health.
