Biomass Heating

Biomass heating is carbon neutral and potentially recycling a waste material.

A well designed stove can be up to 90% efficient, can be fed and lit automatically and controlled by thermostats and timers. Carbon neutral and potentially recycling a waste material.

Biomass Heating - Specifications
Types of system Stoves or room heaters can be log or pellet, typically 6-12 kW. Some can be fitted with back boilers for DHW. Larger scale heaters >15kW can provide space and water heating for radiators. Space needed for storage of chip > pellets / logs and a flue. Consider cleaning / maintenance requirements, security of fuel supply and possible planning issues.
System Costs Stand alone stoves are £1500-£3000 installed. Typical 20kW pellet boiler £10-15,000. Currently limited number of accredited installers.
Running Costs wood chip 1.2p /kWh pellets 3.9p /kWh logs 1.2p /kWh Logs £50 /t Chips depend on moisture and size Pellets £130 - £200 + / t Cheapest delivery of pellets will be in 4t+ loads by blower. Bulk delivery will reduce costs. Pellet supply should improve in 2008 with Balcas plant in Invergordon.
Development issues Biomass heaters will have to be certified for use within a smokeless zone, this can cause planning / building control issues in urban areas.
Websites Biomass Energy Centre: www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk www.british-pellet-club.org.uk National Energy Foundation's Log Pile project: www.nef.org.uk/logpile Wood Energy Scotland: www.usewoodfuel.co.uk

Biomass Heating - Specifications

Types of system

Stoves or room heaters can be log or pellet, typically 6-12 kW. Some can be fitted with back boilers for DHW.
Larger scale heaters >15kW can provide space and water heating for radiators.
Space needed for storage of chip > pellets / logs and a flue.
Consider cleaning / maintenance requirements, security of fuel supply and possible planning issues.

System Costs

Stand alone stoves are £1500-£3000 installed. Typical 20kW pellet boiler £10-15,000. Currently limited number of accredited installers.

Running Costs

wood chip 1.2p /kWh
pellets 3.9p /kWh
logs 1.2p /kWh

Logs £50 /t
Chips depend on moisture and size
Pellets £130 - £200 + / t

Cheapest delivery of pellets will be in 4t+ loads by blower. Bulk delivery will reduce costs. Pellet supply should improve in 2008 with Balcas plant in Invergordon.