When installing a biomass fuel boiler, the tradesperson carrying out the task can advise you on the best boiler for your home and requirements. Each different renewable heating system has its own benefits so it can be tricky to have a definitive answer. When it comes to your average biomass boiler you will want something similar to your existing system, with the changes being more practical and not necessarily noticeable. To achieve the desired outcome, there are a number of factors to take into consideration, which we have listed below. 3 Factors to Consider for Biomass Fuel Boilers Size – Wood chip boilers often take up the most room, making them suitable for larger properties. However, pellet boilers can occupy less space because of their smaller size but are still able to heat a room just as effectively. If you are looking to install a renewable heating system, you will probably need an average-sized biomass boiler that won’t feel cramped in the space. They are slightly larger than their gas and oil counterparts but with further developments of wood pellet boilers, they are fast becoming a more popular heating option for modern homes. Cost – The prices of biomass boilers varies, depending on whether you want a larger system or a more cost-effective domestic one. Automatic and semi-automatic fed boilers typically cost more than manually fed versions, such as a log boiler. The cost of running a biomass boiler centre around the fuel type used, as maintenance costs do not really differ. Buying bulk pellets (from a supplier such as P.H Winterton) is the most cost-effective and allows for quality heating which is far cheaper than the costs of a traditional boiler. It is also worth considering that you can recover a percentage of your up-front expenses through the Renewable Heating Incentive, which earns you money for using a renewable heating system. Efficiency – Biomass heating systems have an efficiency of 80% or above, making them regularly more efficient than a standard gas boiler. Other factors to consider is the existing heat flow and insulation in your home plus the size of the space being heated. For the most efficient renewable heating system, P.H Winterton would recommend using wood...
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It is completely up to you how you implement any heating system (such as a biomass fuel boiler) in your home or business, but there are particular integrated systems that help to get the best out of them. Biomass boilers are one of the best renewable heating systems and are able to provide a reliable heating source all year round. It is important to clarify the uses of this system with regards to your heat demands. For our latest post, P.H Winterton will compare the different biomass fuel heating systems. Comparing Biomass Fuel Heating Systems Part of Integrated/Hybrid Heating System – A great way to guarantee powerful heating, is to implement an integrated or hybrid heating system. This allows for the use of a traditional boiler alongside a renewable source which creates a synergy for the best heating possible. The traditional heating acts as a backup if the renewable heating source is underperforming, meaning you can switch between them for optimal warmth. Biomass boilers are not frequently used this way, but if it is possible in the property it could be an option. Using with Another Renewable Heating System – This a great way to be fossil fuel-free, with a boiler working with a system such as an air-source heat pump to have fully renewable heating sources around your home. This dual system will make use of both sources, switching between whichever is most useful. Standalone Heating System – One big advantage of biomass boilers is that they are incredibly useful on their own, creating enough heat all year round without any real drop off during winter. When compared to other renewable heating systems this is crucial. It is possible that in many cases to completely replace the conventional system already in place and use this replacement and still have sufficient heating. You will also be lowering your environmental impact and can earn money back through the Renewable Heating Initiative (RHI). It is hard to argue against biomass boilers, as they are arguably the best renewable heating system of recent years. There are plenty of benefits such as carbon neutral heating and cheaper running costs when compared to standard boilers. If you are thinking about making the switch to...
Read Moreabout Can Biomass Fuel Boilers Be Used on their Own?If you are considering a biomass fuel boiler, you will probably know that it will need more maintenance than a regular gas boiler. A gas boiler needs to be assessed by an engineer every year, but a biomass boiler needs more regular care. Although most of the tasks are pretty straight forward, it is worth considering before committing to the extra time and effort. P.H Winterton and Son are of the Government-approved biomass suppliers, with our wood pellets used by customers all over the country. For this blog, we will talk you through the maintenance of biomass boilers. Attention to Detail Needed for Biomass Fuel Boilers The amount of attention needed for your boiler will ultimately depend on the model and type of fuel you use. Wood logs, chips and pellets all burn differently and create varying amounts of waste. Some high-end biomass boilers have extra features which mean that they can look after themselves (to an extent). To keep the system running efficiently and to make sure you have a decent return on investment, it is crucial to provide sufficient maintenance. Here are some points to consider – Daily – A visual inspection and cleaning of any components where needed Weekly – Check the ash level and empty if needed and check gear motors for oil leaks Monthly – Scrape the combustion chamber, removing any bad ash and checking the grate Every 3 Months – Wipe the flue gas sensor and clean the lambda probe and check the grate Every 6 Months – Check and clean the flue gas return, inspect the operational drives, check the motors, clean the heat exchangers and clean the combustion chamber Annually – This check will usually be carried out by your installer. Tasks include multiple checks plus cleaning the flue and greasing the bearings Get in Touch for More Information If you have any questions about biomass fuel boilers, please do not hesitate to contact P.H Winterton today. We are the leading provider of equine bedding for customers across Staffordshire, Cheshire and...
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With sustainable fuels becoming more and more prevalent, it’s the perfect time to consider the benefits of using biomass fuel. Last week, we saw the government announce that algae, alcohol and household waste would power RAF fighter jets under the Ministry of Defence’s plan to slash carbon emissions. Along with the government’s plans to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2030, it seems that alternative fuel sources are the future. Therefore, we thought that we would look at five benefits of biofuel in our latest blog post. Less Greenhouse Gases It’s the obvious one, we know. However, it’s also one of the most important reasons that people tend to switch. Even though biofuels still emit some greenhouse gases, it’s much less than your traditional fuels. In fact, thanks to photosynthesis, biomass fuels only release the same amount of carbon into the atmosphere as was absorbed by plants in the course of their life cycle. This means that it is considered as CO2 neutral. If there are less greenhouse gases in the air, then we could slow the effects of global warming. Renewable Source of Energy One of the most important factors surrounding biomass fuel is that it’s a renewable source. This means that we can replace it as we use it, leading to an endless supply. Farmers can dedicate land to growing crops that will be intended for use as biofuel. This is a much better alternative to draining the Earth of it’s oils and natural gases which are all non-renewable sources of energy. More Cost Effective A lot of this comes down to the process of sourcing and producing the fuel. For fossil fuels, sourcing them requires drills, gas pipelines and fuel collection. However, the machinery needed to produce biomass fuel is much less expensive. These overheads are naturally reflected in the price of the product. Less Waste Polluting The Environment By giving this waste another purpose, you’re preventing it from being dumped in a landfill somewhere. Littering and the usage of non-degradable materials is unfortunately rife. Therefore, where there is an opportunity to re-use other materials, we should definitely try to. By working with P.H. Winterton and Son to get sawmill waste collections, you’re helping to save...
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Sawmill collection may be a service that we provide to you or it could be something that you’re considering. Either way, here at P.H. Winterton and Son, we like to be fully transparent with our customers about where their waste is going. One of the things that separates us from other collection companies is how we use the waste to positively impact on the planet. To find out how your waste is helping the environment, read ahead in our latest blog post. Animal Bedding We believe that all waste should be used rather than wasted. That’s why we recycle leftover sawmill and use it for other purposes. Thanks to our unique and highly reliable machinery, we can create the highest quality animal bedding if the quality is still to a high enough standard. Whether you’re looking for bedding for a cow, sheep, dog or guinea pig, our top quality recycled bedding will guarantee comfort, cleanliness and absorbency. To find out more, read our guide on animal bedding. Biomass Fuel Our equipment also allows us to create the highest quality biomass fuel supplies. In collaboration with Cheshire-based organic recycling specialists, CRJ Services, we have been able to produce around 25 tonnes of biomass per week. Biomass fuel is an organic material which is produced in a renewable manner to create heat or power. We produce two types of biomass fuel using grade A wood residue from our sawmill waste collections. These are split into the following two grades: P16 Grade – A smaller size of wood chip P35 Grade – A grade wood with no contaminants present These can then be burnt in a boiler for industrial heating and electricity. All of our biomass fuel is of the quality and specification required by the specialist sectors that we cater for. Thanks to CRJ’s expert knowledge and specialist machinery, we have been able to be a part of the Government’s Biomass Fuel Supplier List. Therefore, you can rest assured that you will receive the highest quality product, both quickly and efficiently. To find out more about how to use and purchase our biomass products, read our guide. Reducing Our Carbon Footprint By recycling our sawmill waste, not only are we reducing...
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