Biomass Boilers - Eco-friendly, Simple and Effective Heating is Here

In the last few years it became impossible to get away from the hype about green technologies versus fossil fuel technologies. Solar panels, solar thermal and wind turbines have ruled the headlines with major projects undertaken around the world. However, let us not forget the humble wood burning stove. Although not as flashy as a gleaming white wind turbine rotating at a steady speed over a green hill or a high-tech solar photovoltaic cell generating electricity out of simple sun light, the wood burning stove has some important benefits to bring to the table.

It is essential to first understand biomass boilers. As the name suggests, biomass boilers burn organic fuel (bio-fuel), rather than fossil fuels that are extracted from the ground (such as oil, gas, coal). The boilers are designed to deal with several types of wood depending on the type of the boiler. There are two primary groups of wood that are used: untreated wood (such as logs) and treated wood (such as wood pallets).

The most effective fuel is wood pallets, which are highly compressed sawdust. This timber dust is a waste product that would otherwise be discarded into landfills. It is a by product of carpentry workshops, sawmills and joinery workshops. Because of the compression, the pallets pack a higher level of output to weight and require less volume or fuel to get the same amount of heat within the boiler, and still leave very little waste on the burners.

Fossil fuels are normally associated with global warming and climate change. When fossil fuels are burned (e.g. natural gas in your domestic boiler), they release CO2 as part of their natural chemical reaction. This gas was captured within the fuel for millions of years in underground deposits. By burning it now, we release this gas into the atmosphere. Biomass boilers are considered to be carbon neutral heating technologies, because they only release CO2 that was captured by the plant during its growth years, thus not bringing new CO2 into the global equation.

Before installing a biomass boiler it important to consider a few aspects of this technology:

* Wood supplier - it is much easier to run a biomass boiler if you have a local sawmill or carpentry workshop that can provide you with a reliable source of sawdust, wood chips or even wood pallets.

* Space consideration - unlike modern gas and oil boilers, a biomass boiler is larger in size and requires a large area nearby to store the wood. It is wise to plan for this space in advance.

* Chimney consideration - it is essential to have a chimney in the property. In addition, the chimney needs to be lined for wood-fuel burning. However, even if it is not properly lined, there are solutions to overcome this problem (e.g. inserting an inner flue).

* Zone specific considerations - if your home is located in a smoke-free zone, you may need to focus on getting a unit that is 'exempted' under the 'Clean Air Act'. In any case, it is recommended to check with your local authority.

* Other General Considerations - to avoid disappointment later, it is wise to check with the planning department of your local authority about the implications of installing a biomass boiler, especially if you live in a listed building or a conservation area.