Biomass
The term “Biomass” encompasses many types of organically derived energy. In this particular case we refer to woody biomass in the form of log gasification, wood pellet and wood chip fuels. Wood in all its forms is probably the lowest carbon of all the fuels. When burnt, wood releases the same amount of carbon as it does it it were left to decay naturally.
Wood burning technology has come along way since the days of the log stove. Modern boilers are microprocessor controlled with lambda sensors, weather compensation, ash compactors, automatic feed, automatic ignition etc. They are fully automatic in operation, burn extremely cleanly and require minimal user involvement. They can also be integrated perfectly with other technologies like solar thermal.
Log Gasification boilers
Where a large quantity or “batch” of well seasoned wood logs (typically 20% moisture) are loaded into a boiler and fired. Once fired it is completely automatic. In the first phase the logs are burned thus heated, giving off gasses which are then secondary burned to give off more heat, as well as cleaner flue emissions. As the logs are burned with such a high degree of control there is little ash remaining. What there is can be spread on the garden as it contains many beneficial trace elements. The heat generated by the batch burn is more than is required. So the heat energy is collected and stored in a buffer or thermal store unit, where it provides hot water and heating as required. The boiler may only need firing every few days, even during the winter months. A tonne of logs cost approximately £70 will provide 4100 kWh of heat or about 1.7 pence/kWh.
Wood Chip
Semi dry wood chips (typically 30% moisture) are fed from the fuel storage area via an auger to fuel the boiler. Here they are automatically ignited and burned. The boiler modulates or varies its output to suit demand. The heat produced is best stored in a thermal store or buffer unit where it provides hot water and heating as required. Wood chip boilers are normally used for larger installations typically 25kW plus. A tonne of wood chips cost approximately £100 and will provide 3,500 kWh of heat or about 2.8 pence/kWh.
Wood Pellet
Very dry compressed wood pellets (typically 10% moisture) are are fed from the fuel storage area via vacuum tube to fuel the boiler. Here they are automatically ignited and burned. The boiler modulates or varies its output to suit demand and also varies the flow temperature of the water produced for the heating depending on weather conditions, known as weather compensation. Because these units are so controllable they can be connected directly to a conventional hot water cylinder and heating system. There is also the option of manual fill hoppers for fuel storage, where by small bags of pellets are tipped into a storage hopper and only requires refilling every 2-3 days during heating season because the pellets are so pure and burn so cleanly, very little ash is produced typically about 1% of initial pellet volume. This can also be automatically compacted and therefore only needs to be emptied every 3 months or so. A tonne of wood pellets cost approximately £200 and will provide 4,800kWh of heat or about 4.1 pence/kWh
The average domestic Biomass retrofit installation when replacing a traditional boiler installation costs approximately £10000 - £15000 installed. Costs are affected by type and size of boiler and wood fuel chosen, location of equipment and fuel storage, the condition of the existing plumbing, heating and electrical system - which is the biggest variable. They will provide all of the households heat and hot water requirement . This reduces household fuel costs and cuts carbon emissions, saving money and the environment. It can give a property a higher score on its energy performance rating(see below) and help achieve a higher level on the code for sustainable homes (see below), usually scoring level 4 on new build properties.
Grant funding is available in the form of the RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive). Currently the RHIPP (Premium Payment)is giving £950 for domestic woody biomass installations for this year, with eligibility for the full RHI payment scheme when it begins next year.
We provide a full estimate of performance in line with the government approved SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) with all our quotations.
We can provide a complete installation service from start to finish. We are HETAS registered, experienced installers as well as Registered Heating Professionals (RHP) and Registered Plumbers (RP) with the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers (CIPHE). We have full Public Liability Insurance and guarantee all our work, parts and labour for 24 months.
We are experienced installers and we Specify, Design, Install and maintain our domestic biomass systems to best suit your individual situation and requirements.
We strongly recommend an independent SAP survey for your property before we undertake installation. This will indicate current energy usage and carbon production. It will provide an energy rating and highlight the most cost effective energy saving improvements. It can also demonstrate the likely energy and carbon savings made by those improvements.
Competence
These appliances are termed a “controlled appliance” in law.. and they must be fitted by a “competent person” who is suitably qualified and a member of a government approved competent persons scheme to ensure they are safe - and comply with all relevant building regulations and standards in force, they must also be registered with the local building control department who keep a record. These are usually “searched” when a property is bought or sold and can hold up the sale of a property if missing. For your peace of mind we hold all relevant certifications as required and are members of relevant government approved industry bodies for installation and registration of these “controlled appliances” and are “competent persons” as defined in relevant law.
For further independent consumer advice and information please see:
www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/greenerbuildings/sustainablehomes
www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk
