Biomass Boilers

A biomass boiler could pave the way for a green energy revolution

A biomass boiler, or wood boiler, is an alternative boiler solution for your property. As you might have guessed from the name, the boiler uses wood- either logs or pellets as its fuel source. As part of our choosing the right boiler for your home series, Pro Heating have compiled a list of pros and cons of a biomass boiler.

Our previous blog System Boilers Explained outlined the pros and cons of system boilers.

Pros:

• Biomass boilers are a cheaper alternative to regular heating systems, costing on average £600 a year
• The carbon Dioxide produced when you burn wood is like the CO2 absorbed by plants, making it a sustainable fuel
• They are energy efficient, meaning when you use a biomass boiler you get more heat from less fuel
• Biomass boilers emit 3 tonnes fewer of carbon dioxide a year compared to a gas boiler, making them a real green energy source

Cons:

• Biomass boilers generate ash that must be cleaned at least once a week or the boiler will break down
• They are bigger than your average gas boiler
• You will need a flue, or a chimney and if you don’t have one you’ll have to get planning permission to create one
• The Energy Saving Trust estimates installation costs between £7,000 and £13,000. This is a reasonably large initial outlay

In short, biomass boilers are a large investment. However, in the long run they could save you money annually, and will help the environment. If you’re looking for a sustainable fuel source that’s a little bit different this could be for you.

Pro Heating are passionate about keeping our environment clean. Read more about what we do here.