Biomass Fuels

Biomass refers to living and recently dead biological material that can be used as fuel or for industrial production. Most commonly, biomass refers to plant matter grown for use as bio fuel, but it also includes plant or animal matter used for production of fibres, chemicals or heat. Biomass may also include biodegradable wastes that can be burnt as fuel. It excludes organic material which has been transformed by geological processes into substances such as coal or petroleum.

For small-scale domestic applications of biomass the fuel usually takes the form of wood pellets, wood chips or wood logs

The benefits

Producing energy from biomass has both environmental and economic advantages. Although produces CO2, it only releases the same amount that it absorbed whilst growing making it a carbon neutral process. Also, biomass can help waste management by harnessing energy from products that are often disposed of at landfill sites.

How it works

Biomass can heat a domestic property in two ways-

• A stove that stands alone can provide heat for a room which can be fuelled by pellets or logs. Some stoves can be fitted with a back boiler to provide water heating.

• To centrally heat the house and for hot water systems. These are suitable for pellets, logs or chips.

There are many domestic log, wood chip and wood pellet burning stoves available. Log boilers must be loaded by hand and may be unsuitable for some situations. Automatic pellet and wood chip systems can be more expensive. Many boilers will dual fire both wood chips and pellets, although the wood chip boilers need larger hoppers to provide the same time interval between refuelling.

An accredited installer will be able to provide more detailed advice.

Costs & Savings

Stand alone room heaters generally cost around £3,000 installed. How much you use it and what type of fuel you are replacing will depend on how much you save.
The cost for pellet boilers for an average three bedroom semi detached house (typically 15 kW) varies would cost around £5,500 - £12,000 installed. This will include the cost of the flue and commissioning. Using a manual log feed system for the same sized house would be slightly cheaper. You can save around £200 a year using a biomass powered boiler and also save around 8 tonnes of C02 per year.

With biomass systems you are required you to pay for the fuel and costs generally depend on how much you buy and the distance from your supplier.

You can also find details of installers in our UK directory by clicking the button below. They will also be able to inform you of any available grants.



source: Energy Savings Trust