Biomass Boilers

What is Biomass?

Biomass heating systems can range from small log burning stoves or wood chip boilers to fully automated wood pellet burners.

Biomass boilers can provide heating, hot water or even electricity (Combined Heat and Power or CHP) by burning organic, usually plant derived matter, typically in the form of wood, pellets or chips. 

If you are interested in Biomass and are looking for more advice about how to take advantage of it in your home, then call Claywood Energy on 07738324348 or 01435882628.

When would you recommend Biomass?

It entirely depends on the property, particularly in terms of having enough space to store fuel where it will be kept dry and also the availability of fuel, whether it is wood or pellets. Space requirements are excessive and ongoing maintenance commitments are high.

What are the costs involved in a biomass system?

Costs depend on the type of system and can vary greatly from cheaper wood stoves to automatically fed pellet boilers.

The cost of pellets depends on size and delivery method. A large fuel store that will accept several tonnes will reduce the cost. Chip can be a cheaper option, particularly if you have your own supply potential or the space to store large volumes.

What are the Savings?

The magnitude of savings depends on what heating method you are replacing and your heating requirements. However, it can provide attractive savings particularly for larger properties that are currently on either oil or LPG.

Biomass is eligible for the RHI

Checklist for suitability

Large properties within the rural areas of Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Hampshire are ideally suited to Biomass installations. Before detailing what size biomass boiler would be required, these three preliminary questions should be answered:

1. Is there enough space for the boiler and fuel store? €“A biomass boiler itself will be physically slightly larger than a fossil fuel type and will require a greater footprint to accommodate a solid fuel store in close proximity.
2. Is a suitable fuel supply available with appropriate fuel delivery access? €“For large deliveries there are a number of considerations to enable easy transfer into a silo. In small quantities bag deliveries are possible but this is more costly. West Sussex is ideally suited to provide fuel supplies owing to a large number of wood fuel suppliers in the local area.
3. Is the property suitable for conversion? €“As mentioned above, additional space to situate the biomass unit is the biggest factor along with ability to accept frequent deliveries.  The biggest saving will be made if the existing boiler needs replacing and the property is not on mains gas.