Bio Mass Boilers Experience
Discussion
I though I would share my current experience of installing a bio mass boiler at our company. Should any of you run a company with a gas bill over £8,000 per year this is worth a read.
After hearing about the government funded RHI (renewable heat incentive) scheme, which says the government will pay you money to generate energy at an index linked rate for 20 years guaranteed, I started looking into it over 8 months ago.
I looked at various manufacturers, went to the renewable energy exhibition and came to the conclusion the best system would be a wood chip boiler from Euroheat. The reason I went for wood chip over wood pellets is you get a better RHI revenue from wood chip, plus you can see the quality of the wood. With wood pellets it could be any old rubbish wood pulped together.
The figures:
We currently spend £8,000 a year in LPG gas which covers hot water, heating and kitchen cookers which is around 90,000kw of heat.This will be reduced to under £2,000 as I will only use gas for the kitchen cookers.
The wood chip will cost around £2,000 per year
The RHI repayment scheme will pay out £7,500 per year.
So a total a saving of £11,500 per year. The system, including the building, installation etc cost £55,000, which means a 5 year paypack, after which I make and extra £11,500 on the bottom line for the next 15 years index linked and guaranteed by the government. The cost of wood may go up, but very unlikely to go up more than gas, plus we have plenty of woodland to make our own if needed.
Pics of the equipment and building, very professional install, took about 8 weeks from start to finish. Some pics are during the install.
Boiler House (yes it will be stained and finished off, wood chip is loaded in from the roof, there is a hatch)
Wood chip storage area, wood chip is moved into the boiler next door with the screw system in the floor - very simple
Boiler and heat storage tank. The tank stores energy so the boiler is not on all of the time and you have instant access to hot water/heating. The small boxes at the bottom are for ash and water (from moisture in wood) which only have to be emptied every month. Boiler runs at 97% efficiency - there is a read out!
Delivery truck, takes 20mins and I need a load every 2 months. Cost to fill up £330 inc delivery.
Heat exchange - this connects to your existing system, so all the current heating/hot water systems stay the same. Effectively this is what replaces you current boiler in the system.
Hope this helps someone save money, any questions I will do my best !
After hearing about the government funded RHI (renewable heat incentive) scheme, which says the government will pay you money to generate energy at an index linked rate for 20 years guaranteed, I started looking into it over 8 months ago.
I looked at various manufacturers, went to the renewable energy exhibition and came to the conclusion the best system would be a wood chip boiler from Euroheat. The reason I went for wood chip over wood pellets is you get a better RHI revenue from wood chip, plus you can see the quality of the wood. With wood pellets it could be any old rubbish wood pulped together.
The figures:
We currently spend £8,000 a year in LPG gas which covers hot water, heating and kitchen cookers which is around 90,000kw of heat.This will be reduced to under £2,000 as I will only use gas for the kitchen cookers.
The wood chip will cost around £2,000 per year
The RHI repayment scheme will pay out £7,500 per year.
So a total a saving of £11,500 per year. The system, including the building, installation etc cost £55,000, which means a 5 year paypack, after which I make and extra £11,500 on the bottom line for the next 15 years index linked and guaranteed by the government. The cost of wood may go up, but very unlikely to go up more than gas, plus we have plenty of woodland to make our own if needed.
Pics of the equipment and building, very professional install, took about 8 weeks from start to finish. Some pics are during the install.
Boiler House (yes it will be stained and finished off, wood chip is loaded in from the roof, there is a hatch)
Wood chip storage area, wood chip is moved into the boiler next door with the screw system in the floor - very simple
Boiler and heat storage tank. The tank stores energy so the boiler is not on all of the time and you have instant access to hot water/heating. The small boxes at the bottom are for ash and water (from moisture in wood) which only have to be emptied every month. Boiler runs at 97% efficiency - there is a read out!
Delivery truck, takes 20mins and I need a load every 2 months. Cost to fill up £330 inc delivery.
Heat exchange - this connects to your existing system, so all the current heating/hot water systems stay the same. Effectively this is what replaces you current boiler in the system.
Hope this helps someone save money, any questions I will do my best !
There don't seem to be any fire precautions in your storage area; how big is it? Large quantities of biomass can spontaneously ignite in certain circumstances.
biomass fuel storage fire
biomass fuel storage fire
I worked for CPL for a short spell and did a bit of work with their biomass options, including renewable feed stock for their ecoal product. From what a saw this sort of application is the future of renewable fuel in the short to mid term for domestic and smaller commercial installs. There is of course the larger debate of 'does a tree actually recover the co2 burnt as it grows'.
Fires can be common when there are big piles of olive stones or pulp, due to the remaining oil leaking out. When in a big enough pile the pressure on the bottom of the pile causes heat build which can cause the oil to flash off. Not seen this in wood chip though (not saying it doesn't happen, just i haven't seen it)
To the OP, I would consider looking into olive pulp/stones, or almond waste, possibly palm kernels/shells depending on availability. Much lower moisure content, much lower ash content (typically) and has a high calorific value.
I used to work for cpl, who had a good wood pellet offer. Manco Energy were also decent. I also still have some contacts in spain if you can commit to 24 tonnes?
Fires can be common when there are big piles of olive stones or pulp, due to the remaining oil leaking out. When in a big enough pile the pressure on the bottom of the pile causes heat build which can cause the oil to flash off. Not seen this in wood chip though (not saying it doesn't happen, just i haven't seen it)
To the OP, I would consider looking into olive pulp/stones, or almond waste, possibly palm kernels/shells depending on availability. Much lower moisure content, much lower ash content (typically) and has a high calorific value.
I used to work for cpl, who had a good wood pellet offer. Manco Energy were also decent. I also still have some contacts in spain if you can commit to 24 tonnes?
Edited by KarlMac on Monday 29th October 16:42
RHI currently stands at 20 years for commercial customers and is taxable, the capital cost however can be written down against tax.
For domestic customers the RHI hasn't yet been finalised but current proposals are 20 years worth of payments but actually made over 7 years giving you a much quicker ROI. Domestic RHI should be tax free although reciept is likely to be dependant upon carrying out a Green Deal Report and undertaking all measures highlighted with a green tick - insulation, low energy lighting, etc.
We should get final announcements Jan/feb with availability from the summer.
For domestic customers the RHI hasn't yet been finalised but current proposals are 20 years worth of payments but actually made over 7 years giving you a much quicker ROI. Domestic RHI should be tax free although reciept is likely to be dependant upon carrying out a Green Deal Report and undertaking all measures highlighted with a green tick - insulation, low energy lighting, etc.
We should get final announcements Jan/feb with availability from the summer.
It may not be available at all for new build, only retrofit, and then only if you are not on mains gas. Can't remember the current proposed rate but I'll check when I get to work later.
Like I said in the previous post you will still get 20 years worth of payments, just paid over shorter timescale.
Like I said in the previous post you will still get 20 years worth of payments, just paid over shorter timescale.
We're renovating and not on gas. Not on anything, really 
It's a total strip job so insulation, windows, etc all up to scratch. Would be very interested to hear the revised payments pre kW, that'd be great, thanks. Not that it makes any difference as we've got to put it in anyway but it's always nice to get something back
It's a total strip job so insulation, windows, etc all up to scratch. Would be very interested to hear the revised payments pre kW, that'd be great, thanks. Not that it makes any difference as we've got to put it in anyway but it's always nice to get something back eliot said:
I guess the 17% rise on my fuel bill this month is paying for this. Is it ok to come round and sit by 'my' fire to warm up?
Another ill informed opinion from someone who hasn't bothered to check any facts whatsoever. The current climate change levy which goes towards a number of carbon reduction (energy saving) measures equates to around 3% of your total bill (approx £20-£25 pa), of this less than 10% of that money will go towards RHI & FIT so around £2 per person per annum. Far more of that money goes towards helping those in fuel poverty with schemes offering free insulation and such like.We should be more worried how much nuclear energy is cost us to subsidise. Current estimates are between £100-£400 per household per annum depending what stats you believe.
I'm guessing that your energy bill has risen by 17% when prices have gone up between 6-10% is mainly because your home is inefficient and that you have done nothing to insulate yourself from price rises by installing self generating measures such as pv or solar hot water etc, as regardless of subsidies these would reduce your energy bill.
Whatever you believe about climate change or whether you think subsidised self-generation is right or wrong, one thing is FACT. We are dependent on a reducing supply of finite fossil fuels, much of which is controlled by states we are not exactly on best terms with. We will also soon have to compete to buy these fuels will rapidly emerging economies which are far larger (and soon by far richer) nations - India & China. Prices of fossil fuels are going to rise dramatically over the coming years, and to a level that will price you and me out of the market. Why do you think there is all this push to move towards biofuels, electric cars etc? Do you really think this Is about global warming? Do you think the government give a flying f
k about polar bears? Future fuel competion, price rises and shortages will become a reality in the near future certainly in many of our lifetimes. Although if we all get chilly this winter we could warm ourselves on the hot air you will no doubt be spouting in a minute.
Edited by 897sma on Tuesday 30th October 08:40
astroarcadia said:
Has anyone here installed one at a domestic property?
How much space is needed for boiler and cylinder? How much space for fuel store.?
What are the regs on containment? Who are the main players in this market?
Pics would be great if possible. Sorry for all the questions.
See above.How much space is needed for boiler and cylinder? How much space for fuel store.?
What are the regs on containment? Who are the main players in this market?
Pics would be great if possible. Sorry for all the questions.
How long is a piece of string? It depends on the size of your house, the type of heating, the type of boiler and the type of fuel!
astroarcadia said:
Has anyone here installed one at a domestic property?
How much space is needed for boiler and cylinder? How much space for fuel store.?
What are the regs on containment? Who are the main players in this market?
Pics would be great if possible. Sorry for all the questions.
I would get your current heating bill to work out how much energy you are currently using, then get in tough with euro heat. They don't do the install, but they supply the boilers and will advise you. They are based near Worcester which is not too far from you. You can arrange to go along to their factory/showroom where they have lots of working biomass boilers for you to see.How much space is needed for boiler and cylinder? How much space for fuel store.?
What are the regs on containment? Who are the main players in this market?
Pics would be great if possible. Sorry for all the questions.
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