{"id":437,"date":"2017-05-02T11:20:45","date_gmt":"2017-05-02T10:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advice.quotatis.co.uk\/?post_type=project_page&p=437"},"modified":"2017-11-03T09:02:11","modified_gmt":"2017-11-03T09:02:11","slug":"biomass-boilers","status":"publish","type":"project_page","link":"https:\/\/www.local-quotes.co.uk\/advice\/guide\/heating\/biomass-boilers\/","title":{"rendered":"Biomass Boilers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Biomass boilers use either wood chips, pellets or logs to fuel the heating for your home. They can be used to provide heat for one room or to power central heating or hot water boilers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Biomass boilers use either wood chips, pellets or logs to fuel the heating for your home. They can be used to provide heat for one room or to power central heating or hot water boilers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":438,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":[],"tags":[],"tax_works":[10],"class_list":["post-437","project_page","type-project_page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tax_works-heating"],"acf":{"testimonials":false,"inspirations":false,"faq":[543,544,545,546],"quote_link":"https:\/\/www.quotatis.co.uk\/quotes.html?keyword=boilers&sqn=115897&spn=810","project_page_element_title":"Types of Biomass Boiler","project_page_elements":[{"element_label":"Biomass Stoves","link_to_element_post":{"ID":440,"post_author":"10","post_date":"2017-05-02 12:29:56","post_date_gmt":"2017-05-02 11:29:56","post_content":"A biomass stove is also known as a wood burner or wood stove. It runs on wood, usually in the form of logs or pellets. Biomass stoves heat the space around them and can be connected to a back boiler to heat water.\r\n\r\nBiomass is considered a renewable fuel. So installing a biomass stove is a great idea if you want to reduce your carbon emissions.\r\n\r\nBiomass stoves have lots of advantages but they aren\u2019t suitable for everyone. To help you decide if a biomass stove is right for you, we\u2019ve come up with a list of its pros and cons.\r\n\r\n

Pros<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Smaller than a boiler<\/h5>\r\nOne advantage to biomass stoves is that they\u2019re smaller than biomass boilers. Boilers can take up a significant amount of space but stoves are much more compact. So if you want to heat your home with biomass but don\u2019t have space for a boiler, getting a stove could be a great solution.\r\n\r\n
Cheaper than a boiler<\/h5>\r\nBiomass stoves are also popular because they\u2019re cheaper than biomass boilers. According to the Energy Saving Trust, an automatic biomass boiler can cost anything between \u00a39,000 and \u00a321,000 to buy and install. Biomass stoves, on the other hand, start at around \u00a3250.\r\n\r\n
Range of different types<\/h5>\r\nThere are lots of different types of biomass stove to choose from. They come in different shapes and sizes. You can also choose your stove based on the type of fuel you want to use and how much money you want to spend. So you should be able to find a stove that suits your home and budget.\r\n\r\n
Compatible with a boiler<\/h5>\r\nLots of biomass stoves are compatible with boilers. You can fit your stove with a back boiler if you wish, which will use the heat your stove generates to heat your home and water.\r\n\r\n

Cons<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Need fuel storage space<\/h5>\r\nWhile biomass stoves take up less space than boilers, you still need room to store their fuel. The amount of space you\u2019ll need will vary depending on the type of fuel you use and when you want to use your stove. However, it\u2019s worth having around 6 square metres of indoor space for fuel storage.\r\n\r\n
Not suitable for heating large areas<\/h5>\r\nBiomass stoves are ideal for heating rooms. However, they aren\u2019t designed to heat whole houses unless fitted with a back boiler. So if you want to replace the heating system for your whole house, you\u2019d probably be better off with a biomass boiler.\r\n\r\n
High maintenance<\/h5>\r\nAnother disadvantage to biomass stoves is that they\u2019re high maintenance. Whilst there are lots of types of automatic biomass boilers around, biomass stoves usually need feeding manually. They also need emptying of ash a certain amount, depending on how much you use them. So if you want a low-hassle heating system, a biomass stove may not be the best choice.\r\n\r\n
Most types ineligible for funding<\/h5>\r\nAs biomass boilers are a form of renewable heating technology, if you have one you could be eligible to receive funding through the government\u2019s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). However, biomass stoves are only available for funding through the RHI if they are fuelled by pellets and connected to a back boiler. So choosing a biomass stove over a boiler could mean that you miss out on valuable funding.","post_title":"Biomass Stoves: the Pros and Cons","post_excerpt":"A biomass stove is a great form of domestic heating. People often install biomass stoves because they\u2019re compact and use renewable fuel.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"biomass-stoves-pros-cons","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2017-05-02 12:33:11","post_modified_gmt":"2017-05-02 11:33:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/advice.quotatis.co.uk\/?post_type=project_page_element&p=440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"project_page_element","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}},{"element_label":"Pellet Boilers","link_to_element_post":{"ID":436,"post_author":"10","post_date":"2017-05-02 11:48:35","post_date_gmt":"2017-05-02 10:48:35","post_content":"There are lots of different types of biomass boiler available. Because of the range of options, it can be hard to work out which sort of boiler is the best one for you.\r\n\r\nA good way to start narrowing your choice down is to work out what fuel you want to use. You can then get a boiler that is compatible with your fuel choice.\r\n\r\nThe most common biomass fuels are wood pellets, wood chips and logs. When these are burned they produce heat, which your boiler uses to create hot water. Boilers that burn wood pellets are particularly popular with homeowners as they are compact and have high energy density. \r\n\r\nTo help you decide whether a pellet-fuelled boiler would suit you and your home, we\u2019ve come up with a list of the fuel\u2019s advantages and disadvantages.\r\n\r\n

Advantages<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Compact<\/h5>\r\nOne advantage of wood pellets is that they\u2019re compact. When pellets are made they are compressed, so you get the largest amount of fuel in the smallest possible space. This means that wood pellets take up less space than wood chips and logs \u2013 you can fit about 1 tonne of pellets into 1.5 square metres of space. So if you have limited storage or only have room for a small boiler, pellets may well be the fuel for you.\r\n\r\n
High energy density<\/h5>\r\nAnother benefit to wood pellets is that they have high energy density. This is measured in kWh\/m\u00b3. The energy density of pellets is not as high as the energy density of wood chips. But wood pellets usually have a higher energy density than logs. So you will need to buy less pellets than logs to produce the same amount energy.\r\n\r\n
Compatible with automatic feeding systems<\/h5>\r\nAs wood pellets are all the same shape and size, they can be used with an automatic feeding system. This is known as a hopper. If you have a boiler with an automatic feeding system, you won\u2019t need to worry about putting fuel into your boiler regularly. So if you choose to use pellets you can get a boiler with an automatic feeding system, which means all you\u2019ll need to do to keep your boiler going is fill up the feeding system every so often.\r\n\r\n

Disadvantages<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Not ideal for large systems<\/h5>\r\nWhile wood pellets are great for smaller boilers, they\u2019re not the best fuel you could use for a larger system (usually 60kW or over). For big installations it\u2019s best to use wood chips as the boilers have plenty of fuel space and chips are more efficient than pellets. However, as most domestic biomass boiler installations are between 15-45kW, this may not be a problem for you.\r\n\r\nIf you decide that a pellet-fuelled biomass boiler is right for you, it\u2019s a good idea to speak to a boiler engineer. They will be able to advise you on what type of boiler would be best for you and your home.","post_title":"Would You Benefit From a Pellet-Fuelled Biomass Boiler?","post_excerpt":"Installing a pellet-fuelled biomass boiler is a great way to heat your home. While they can be expensive, they can also help you reduce your carbon emissions and benefit financially through the government\u2019s Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"benefit-pellet-fuelled-biomass-boiler","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2017-05-02 11:48:35","post_modified_gmt":"2017-05-02 10:48:35","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/advice.quotatis.co.uk\/?post_type=project_page_element&p=436","menu_order":0,"post_type":"project_page_element","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}},{"element_label":"Chip Boilers","link_to_element_post":{"ID":443,"post_author":"10","post_date":"2017-05-02 15:25:39","post_date_gmt":"2017-05-02 14:25:39","post_content":"Biomass boilers usually run on wood logs, chips or pellets. When the wood is burned in the boiler it produces heat that is used to create hot water.\r\n\r\nWood is considered a renewable fuel. So if you install a biomass boiler you could benefit from the government\u2019s Renewable Heat Incentive scheme and reduce your carbon emissions.\r\n\r\nIf you\u2019re thinking about installing a biomass boiler, you need to work out what kind of installation you need. A good way to do this is to start by considering which fuel you\u2019d like to use. To help you make this decision we\u2019ve made a list of the pros and cons of one popular biomass fuel: wood chips.\r\n\r\n

Pros<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

High energy density<\/h5>\r\nWood chips tend to be the most energy-efficient biomass fuel as they produce more kWh per kg than wood pellets and logs. So in terms of how much energy they produce when burned, wood chips come out on top.\r\n\r\n
Some types compatible with automatic feeding systems<\/h5>\r\nLots of people want a biomass boiler with an automatic feeding system as they require less attention than boilers that need refuelling on a regular basis. An advantage of wood chips is that some of them are compatible with automatic boiler feeding systems. If you want these, you\u2019ll need to make sure you buy chips that are a uniform size and shape.\r\n\r\n
Need less storage space than logs<\/h5>\r\nAnother advantage to wood chips is that they need less storage space than logs. On average, 1 tonne of wood chips takes up just over 2m\u00b3. Logs, however, need double this amount of storage space to allow them to dry out. So wood chips are a better option if you have limited fuel storage space.\r\n\r\n

Cons<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Uneconomical for smaller installations<\/h5>\r\nUnfortunately, using wood chips to power your biomass boiler is usually uneconomical if you have an installation smaller than around 40-60kW. Wood chips can be difficult and expensive to transport and store, partly due to their high moisture content. Many manufacturers don\u2019t produce chip-fuelled boilers smaller than 40kW because these difficulties mean that there isn\u2019t a demand for them. Wood pellets are more commonly used to power smaller domestic biomass boilers.\r\n\r\nIf you decide that wood chips could be the best biomass fuel for you, a good next step would be to get the opinions of a few reliable boiler engineers. They will be able to give you advice on which biomass boilers could be best for you.","post_title":"Wood Chips: Are They A Good Fuel For Your Biomass Boiler?","post_excerpt":"Wood chips are one type of fuel you can use to power your biomass boiler. People often choose to use wood chips because they have high energy density and can be compatible with automatic feeding systems.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"wood-chips-good-fuel-biomass-boiler","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2017-05-02 15:25:39","post_modified_gmt":"2017-05-02 14:25:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/advice.quotatis.co.uk\/?post_type=project_page_element&p=443","menu_order":0,"post_type":"project_page_element","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}},{"element_label":"Log Boilers","link_to_element_post":{"ID":445,"post_author":"10","post_date":"2017-05-03 08:58:22","post_date_gmt":"2017-05-03 07:58:22","post_content":"A popular biomass fuel is logs. Using them to heat your home is a great way to reduce your carbon emissions. And if you use logs to fuel a biomass boiler you could also be eligible for funding through the government\u2019s Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.\r\n\r\nTo help you decide whether you want a log-fuelled biomass boiler in your home, we\u2019ve made a list of the advantages and disadvantages of logs.\r\n\r\n

Advantages<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Readily available<\/h5>\r\nAn advantage to logs is that they\u2019re readily available. You can get them all around the country and transporting them is an easy job. So if you choose to use logs, you\u2019re not likely to run out of them anytime soon.\r\n\r\n
Possible to generate your own supply<\/h5>\r\nAnother benefit to logs is that it\u2019s possible to generate your own supply. If you\u2019re lucky enough to have wood on your land then it\u2019s easy enough to cut it down to the right size for your boiler. Just remember to put your logs into storage to dry out before you use them.\r\n\r\n

Disadvantages<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Need lots of storage space<\/h5>\r\nA downside to logs is that they need lots of storage space. If stacked compactly then they shouldn\u2019t need any more storage space than wood chips do. However, because logs have high moisture content they need to be spaced out to let them dry out. Sp the ideal log storage space is large and well-ventilated.\r\n\r\n
Incompatible with automatic feeding systems<\/h5>\r\nAnother disadvantage to logs is that they aren\u2019t usually compatible with automatic feeding systems. This is because logs tend to be uneven shapes and sizes. Having a boiler that you have to feed manually is fine if you\u2019re willing to put the effort in, but for many people it\u2019s an unwelcome hassle.\r\n\r\n
Low energy density<\/h5>\r\nLogs have relatively low energy density compared to wood pellets and chips. This means that they produce fewer kWh per kg than other biomass fuels. So if you\u2019re after the most energy-efficient fuel possible, logs probably aren\u2019t the best choice for you.\r\n\r\nIf you decide that you want a log-fuelled biomass boiler, it\u2019s a good idea to get some professional advice. A reliable contractor will be able to give you advice on the best type of log-fuelled biomass boiler for you and your home.","post_title":"Is a Log-Fuelled Biomass Boiler For You?","post_excerpt":"Some biomass boilers generate heat by burning logs. Many people decide to install a log-fuelled biomass boiler because they have their own supply of logs or a convenient alternative source.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"log-fuelled-biomass-boiler","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2017-05-03 08:58:22","post_modified_gmt":"2017-05-03 07:58:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/advice.quotatis.co.uk\/?post_type=project_page_element&p=445","menu_order":0,"post_type":"project_page_element","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}}],"standard_and_laws":[{"standard_and_laws_link":{"ID":522,"post_author":"10","post_date":"2017-05-09 12:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2017-05-09 11:17:18","post_content":"Biomass boilers are a great way to heat homes that aren\u2019t connected to the gas main. They can, however, have significant upfront installation costs. The RHI provides financial support to biomass boiler owners and generates some return on their investment.\r\n\r\nThe extra return that the RHI offers can be added to your potential savings on your fuel bill. Together this gives you the return that switching to a biomass boiler could offer you. The RHI offers a substantial increase to this return, so it\u2019s worth applying for if you can. Read on to find out more about the Domestic RHI and how to check if your biomass boiler is eligible.\r\n\r\n

Is my biomass boiler eligible?<\/h3>\r\nThere are a variety of criteria that determine your eligibility for the RHI. Specialist renewable energy companies will be able to advise you on how your biomass boiler can meet these criteria.\r\n