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Should I Install a Biomass Boiler?
Before deciding to install a biomass heating system in your home, business, organisation or community, it is necessary to consider the large range of factors that have been highlighted in the section: Is a Biomass boiler suitable for my property? The high upfront cost of installing a biomass heating system may mean that if you are looking for an inexpensive way of becoming more energy efficient and saving on energy bills, other ways such as insulation may be more suitable.
If you are currently using mains gas, LPG, oil or electric storage heaters to heat your property, you may be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which can help offset part of the upfront installation cost, subject to eligibility criteria. In terms of carbon emission reduction, however, it is un-doubtable that replacing your existing fossil fuel boiler will make a positive difference.
Depending on the existing heating system, property size, and fuel displaced, switching to biomass can lead to significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions over the lifetime of the system. Moreover, the per kilowatt saving of wood fuel over certain fossil fuels is sizable, especially if you are currently using electricity to heat your property. The table below illustrates this:
Fuel type |
Approx. cost per kWh Produced |
|---|---|
| Wood chips | 2.5 - 4p |
| Wood pellets | 4 - 6p |
| Natural gas | 6 - 8p |
| Heating oil | 7 - 9p |
| LPG | 8 - 10p |
| Electricity | 24 - 30p |
All costs shown are indicative only. Actual prices and savings will vary depending on fuel type, supplier, location, system efficiency, property size, usage, and market conditions. Figures should be used as a general guide only and do not constitute a quotation.
It is therefore clear that if you are currently using oil, LPG or electricity to heat your property, a biomass boiler would present a sound long-term investment with the added benefit of being environmentally friendly.
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Biomass Boiler Efficiency
Comparisons between various types of biomass boiler
Correctly installed and maintained biomass boilers tend to have an efficiency of around 80%–90%, which is comparable to modern condensing fossil fuel boilers and significantly higher than many older, non-condensing models. The real variable when assessing efficiency is the type of biomass fuel that is used and, as noted here, certain boilers are better suited to specific fuel types. The key factors in assessing the energy efficiency of a specific fuel are its water content and density.
The table below gives you a rough idea of the moisture contents and energy yield per tonne of various type of fuel.
| Fuel type | Average moisture content | Approx. energy yield per ton |
|---|---|---|
| Wood pellets | 8% | 4750kWh |
| Wood chips | 15% | 4500kWh |
| logs (well-seasoned) | 25% | 3500kWh |
| Wheat straw | 15% | 4000kWh |
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Is a Biomass Boiler Suitable for my Property in the UK?
