The Palazzetti Nina pellet heater brings premium Italian style and quality to the Australian market. Like the Melita, the Nina is part of the Ecofire range. The Nina shares the same features and functionality as the Melita but but offers a more traditional design that will appeal to you if you function over fashion. Available in 6kW and 8.2kW variants, the Nina is a great value pellet heater packed with features like Zero Speed Fan technology and smart connectivity but without the premium price tag.
Below, I’ll take a detailed look at the Nina pellet heater and what makes it tick to help you determine if it’s the right heating solution for your home. If you’re new to pellet heating, check out our comprehensive pellet heaters 101 beginner’s guide for all the basics.
Quality Engineering Meets Practical Design
Here’s a breakdown of the Palazzetti Nina pellet heater models. My recommendation is the Nina 8.2kW for its superior heat output – you get significantly more heat with only a small increase in the price tag:
| Heater Range | Nina 6kW | Nina 8.2kW |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Output (High) | 6.0 kW | 8.2 kW |
| Heat Output (Low) | 2.9 kW | 2.9 kW |
| Heat Area | 80 m² | 110 m² |
| Efficiency | 90% | 87.7% |
| Hopper capacity | 18 kg | 18 kg |
| Low Burn rate (Avg) | 0.628 kg/Hr | 0.628 kg/Hr |
| High Burn rate (Avg) | 1.36 kg/Hr | 1.917 kg/Hr |
| Electricity consumption | 80 Watts | 100 Watts |
| Ignition | 380 Watts | 400 Watts |
| Dimension WxDxH | 530x587x1187 mm | 530x587x1187 mm |
| Weight | 112 kg | 112 kg |
Nina Heater Range and Design
The Nina range keeps things simple with just two flavours- the 6kW and 8.2kW models. Both share identical external dimensions and features, with Palazzetti focusing on what really matters: reliable performance and quality construction. The Nina is a workhorse not a show pony.
Where the Nina stands out from from other Palazzetti models, particularly what I think you could call its sister the Melita, is its design. While the Melita goes for sleek, minimalist aesthetics with clean lines, the Nina embraces a more traditional heater appearance that focuses on function and durability.
The Nina features the same dual-door system as other premium Palazzetti models, but implements it within a more traditional, rectangular design that emphasizes practicality over design. While the Melita uses this dual-door system within its contemporary rounded aesthetic, the Nina’s more conventional heater appearance gives it a robust, more practical look.
If you’re after a pellet heater that looks like serious heating equipment rather than a piece of modern furniture, the Nina is definitely worth considering.
Nina Heat Output and Heating Performance
The Nina 6kW model delivers exactly what it promises – 6kW of maximum heat output with a minimum of 2.9kW for those milder days. The 8.2kW version steps things up with 8.2kW maximum output while maintaining that same efficient 2.9kW minimum.
For most Australian homes, I’d go with the 8.2kW model every time. That extra 2.2kW might not sound like much on paper, but it makes a real difference when you need to quickly warm up a cold room or if you’ve got a larger open-plan area to heat. The beauty of pellet heaters is you’re not running them at maximum output constantly – so you won’t be running it on high heat all the time.
The 6kW model will comfortably heat spaces up to around 80 square meters, while the 8.2kW can handle areas up to 110 square meters. Keep in mind that your house layout plays an important factor here – open-plan designs will get better heat distribution, while homes with lots of walls and corridors will need more conservative estimates. For comprehensive information on choosing the right size heater for your home, check out the ultimate pellet heater guide.
Zero Speed Fan Technology
Like all models in the Palazzetti Ecofire range, the Nina features the excellent Zero Speed Fan technology. This innovative feature that you won’t find on most other budget brand pellet heater brands, including virtually all Chinese-made units, is one of the key reasons to choose Palazzetti.
The Nina can operate in complete silence by shutting off the fan entirely and relying on natural convection and radiation to distribute heat – just like a traditional wood heater. This completely eliminates the fan noise that’s present on most pellet heaters, even on their quietest settings.
I can’t overstate how valuable this feature is. Most pellet heaters have some level of background noise from the convection fan, which I personally don’t mind but I know some people do, but with the Nina you can literally have it running with zero fan noise. Perfect for quiet living spaces, or when you just want to enjoy the ambiance without any other background noise.
You can switch between fan operation and Zero Speed mode depending on your needs. Want rapid heat distribution throughout the room? Turn the fan on. Want peaceful, silent heating that lets you hear every pellet fall into the burn pot? Switch to Zero Speed mode. The heat distribution is still effective thanks to clever design, though you’ll obviously get better heat spread with the fan running.
Innovative Dual-Door System
The Nina’s dual-door design is another standout feature that you typically only find on premium European models. You’ve got an outer aesthetic door for everyday use – opening it up to enjoy the fire view or do basic maintenance like emptying the ash drawer. Then there’s a separate inner technical door that creates the perfect seal for the combustion chamber.
This might seem like overkill, but it’s actually really practical. The outer door is what you’ll use 90% of the time – it’s easy to operate and gives you access to everything you need for daily use. The inner door stays sealed during operation, ensuring maximum efficiency and safety while providing that critical airtight seal for the firebox.
Both doors feature quality construction and sealing systems. The inner door has a large, clear glass viewing area with an effective air-wash system that keeps the glass clean during operation. It’s these thoughtful design touches that show the attention to detail in European engineering.
Nina Heating Efficiency
Here’s where European engineering really shows its worth. The Nina 6kW achieves an impressive 90% efficiency rating, while the 8.2kW model delivers a very respectable 87.7%. That’s excellent performance by any standard and means you’re getting maximum heat from every pellet you burn.
This level of efficiency isn’t just good for your wallet – it’s also great for the environment. The Nina meets all current EcoDesign 2022 emissions standards and produces exceptionally low emissions, making it an eco-friendly heating option. When you’re burning pellets this efficiently, you’re using less fuel and producing fewer emissions, which is a win all around. For more information about different pellet types and their performance characteristics, read our complete guide to wood pellets for your heater.
Sealed Combustion System Excellence
The Nina uses a sealed combustion system, which is crucial for both efficiency and indoor air quality. Instead of drawing air from your living room, the Nina pulls air directly from outside through a dedicated inlet for the fire.
Why does this matter? First, it means the heater isn’t competing with your house for air – no weird drafts or pressure issues. Second, it’s more efficient because you’re not pulling heated air out of your house and replacing it with cold outside air. Third, it’s better for indoor air quality because all the combustion air comes from outside.
The system includes proper ducting and sealing to ensure everything stays airtight. While all modern pellet heaters have the option to be connected to outside air, it’s definitely worth setting up properly during installation.
Nina Hopper Capacity and Burn Time
Both Nina models come with an 18kg hopper capacity, which is decent without being huge. You’ll probably be refilling it every two to three days during the middle of winter, depending on how hard you’re running the heater and what heat setting you’re using.
The real strength here is the burn time – you can get up to 29 hours of continuous operation on the lowest setting with a full hopper. That’s means you can load it up before bed and still have heat going well into the next evening. However, I don’t recommend you sleep with your pellet heater running. Instead use the timer or WiFi to have it switch on in the morning before you get up.
While I’m personally a fan of bigger hoppers (some brands offer up to 30kg), the 18kg capacity is perfectly adequate for most households. The top-loading design makes refilling straightforward, and the hopper lid is well-designed for easy access. When you’re ready to stock up on fuel, check out our guide on where to buy wood pellets in Australia for the best suppliers.
Nina Burn Rates and Running Costs
The burn rates show the real difference between the two models. Both start at the same economical consumption of 0.628kg per hour on low settings, but the 8.2kW model uses significantly more pellets when running on high heat – 1.917kg per hour compared to 1.36kg per hour for the 6kW model.
This makes sense given the higher heat output, but it’s worth factoring into your running costs. Most of the time your heater will be running on low once your room has reached your desired temperature, so don’t get too hung up on the high heat pellet consumption figures. The reality is both models are quite economical to run, especially when you consider their high efficiency ratings.
Nina Electricity Consumption
Both Nina models use 80-100 watts once the fire is established and 380-400 watts during the ignition phase. This is pretty standard for modern pellet heaters and means you’ll barely notice any increase in your electricity bill.
The ignition phase only lasts a few minutes at startup, so that higher wattage isn’t something to worry about. During normal operation, you’re looking at less power consumption than a couple of standard light bulbs, which is one of the great advantages of pellet heaters over electric heating.
Nina Size and Build Quality
Both models share the same dimensions at 530x587x1187mm and weigh in at 112kg. The build quality feels solid and premium, as you’d expect from a Palazzetti pellet heater product. The steel construction is robust, and at 112kg it’s substantial without being overly heavy for installation purposes.
The dimensions make it suitable for most Australian homes, and the traditional rectangular design means it’ll sit nicely against a wall or in a corner without looking out of place.
Smart Features and Connectivity
Like all modern Palazzetti heaters, the Nina comes with smart connectivity options through the optional Connection Box. You can control your heater remotely via the SmartStoves mobile app, which is genuinely useful – being able to start your heater on the way home from work or adjust settings from bed is a great convenience.
The system also provides maintenance alerts and usage tracking, helping you stay on top of cleaning schedules and monitor your pellet consumption. It’s proper smart home integration, not just a basic remote control.
Advanced Safety Features
The Nina doesn’t mess around when it comes to safety. It’s packed with multiple safety systems that constantly monitor operation and shut things down if anything goes wrong. The safety system monitors combustion quality and will shut down the heater if it detects any issues.
The heater includes multiple sensors – room temperature sensor, pellet probe, flue probe, and sensors that monitor component positioning. All these work together to ensure safe operation and optimal performance. If any sensor detects something outside normal parameters, the system will alert you or shut down automatically.
Maintenance Requirements
Like all pellet heaters, the Nina needs regular cleaning, but Palazzetti has made the maintenance as straightforward as possible with good access to all the key components.
Daily maintenance (or before each use): Check and clean the burn pot. This is crucial – if the burn pot holes get blocked with ash, you’ll have combustion problems. It takes two minutes and prevents bigger issues down the track.
Weekly maintenance: Empty the ash drawer and clean the glass (use a damp cloth with some ash – works better than any commercial cleaner). We’re talking about 10-15 minutes of work.
Annual professional maintenance: This is where you need a qualified technician. They’ll do a complete system clean including the flue, check all seals, inspect internal parts, and reset any warnings or alarms. Don’t skip this – it’s essential for warranty coverage and safe operation.
The Nina’s dual-door design makes most of these maintenance tasks easier than on many other heaters. You can access the daily and weekly maintenance areas easily through the outer door, while the annual service can be done through both doors without major disassembly. For detailed step-by-step maintenance procedures and troubleshooting tips, see our comprehensive pellet heater troubleshooting and maintenance guide.
Professional Installation Requirements
The Nina requires professional installation – this isn’t a DIY job. You need qualified technicians who understand the specific clearance requirements: 80cm from combustible materials at the front, 15cm rear clearance, 20cm side clearances, plus proper floor protection.
The flue system has specific requirements including proper draught specifications and must meet Australian standards. Don’t cut corners on installation – proper setup ensures safety, optimal performance, and maintains your warranty coverage.
How Does the Nina Compare?
vs. The Palazzetti Melita: The Nina and Melita are essentially twins sharing the same internal components, efficiency ratings, heat outputs, and core technologies including Zero Speed Fan and dual-door systems. The key difference is design – the Nina offers a more traditional, substantial rectangular heater aesthetic, while the Melita features a contemporary rounded design with sleek, minimalist styling. Your choice between them comes down purely to which design approach appeals to you more. If interested, read my Melita pellet heater review to learn more.
vs. Other Palazzetti Models: The Nina sits in the “entry-level premium” category of the Palazzetti range. It gives you access to core Palazzetti technologies like Zero Speed Fan and sealed combustion without the price tag of larger models like the Bianca LUX or Clelia TC. It’s excellent value for European engineering.
vs. Chinese Brands: The Nina’s value proposition is clear when compared to cheaper alternatives. The silent operation capability, high-quality materials, advanced safety systems, and smart connectivity are features you simply won’t find on budget Chinese-made heaters, regardless of their heat output claims.
Which Nina Pellet Heater is Best?
For most Australian homes, I’d recommend the Nina 8.2kW every time. The extra heating capacity provides valuable flexibility for those really cold winter days and larger spaces, while the price difference is minimal when you consider the long-term performance benefits.
The Nina represents exceptional value in the Palazzetti range. It delivers all the advanced European engineering and premium features you want – Zero Speed Fan technology, sealed combustion, smart connectivity, and robust build quality – in a practical, no-nonsense package.
If you’re looking for a reliable, high-quality pellet heater that prioritizes function and performance over flashy design, the Palazzetti Nina is an outstanding choice. It’s proof that you don’t need to compromise on quality or features to get a reasonably priced European pellet heater.
The Nina is perfect for Australian homes that want serious heating performance with the quiet operation and efficiency that only premium European engineering can deliver. Make sure you factor in professional installation costs and verify that you have adequate space and clearances before making your final decision.
Ready to purchase? Check out our guide on where to buy a pellet heater in Australia for authorized dealers and retailers. If you’re in Tasmania specifically, see our local guide for where to buy a pellet heater in Tasmania. Don’t forget to source quality fuel – Tasmanian residents can find local suppliers in our where to buy wood pellets in Tasmania guide.
Resources
Palazzetti Nina website
