Biomass

“A biomass boiler could save you around £390 a year on heating bills”Source, Energy Saving Trust

Biomass is the common name for organic materials used as renewable energy sources such as; wood, crops, and waste. Biomass heating systems are particularly effective in rural and semi rural areas and where the household is used to having energy “delivered” to the property, e.g. in the case of oil, LPG or solid fuel heating systems.

Dodd Group install domestic biomass systems that use either wood pellets or Wood chips.

A typical house requires a 25kW boiler and a 6-tonne, 3m x 3m fuel store for the pellets. Somes Biomass wood pellet boiler models have fully automated feed systems with integral, or separate hoppers, so that a ‘fit and forget’ approach is possible. The automated feed will refill the boiler at regular intervals from fuel storage hoppers

A big advantage of pellet systems over wood chip or logs is that the location of the fuel store and the installation of the feed pipe between the boiler and the storage hopper can be flexible to suit the needs of the individual property. Pellet boilers use feed pipes that can even go around corners or under walls to fit into tight spaces.

Wood Chip Boilers

Wood chip boilers operate by burning small “logs” which are usually loaded into the boilers internal hopper by the householder. And therefore rely on the user to maintain the fuel levels for to ensure the boiler is meetings it’s heat generation targets.

Is Biomass suitable for my home?

Biomass systems are not right for everyone, and to consider whether Biomass heating is right for you, there are a few key questions to answer;

• Do you have enough space? You'll need a large dry area close to the boiler to store your fuel. Ideally this should be close to where the fuel is delivered to your home to minimise the distance you have to carry it.
• Do you have a suitable flue? You need a vent that is specifically designed for wood fuel appliances, with sufficient air movement for proper operation of the boiler. Your existing chimney can be fitted with a lined flue.
• Can you comply with safety and building regulations? If you live in an old or unusual home this may be an issue.
• Do you live in a smokeless zone? If so then wood can only be burnt in certain exempted appliances.
• Do you need planning permission? You need to talk to your local authority if your flue will extend 1m or more above the height of your roof, or your home is in a Conservation Area or World Heritage Site and you plan to install a flue on the principal elevation visible from a road.

For a list of wood fuel suppliers in your area, visit the log pile website

Typical Dodd Group installed systems.

Dodd Group will design and install Biomass systems from a wide range of manufactures however our preferred equipment includes the Baxi Mulitheat biomass boiler:

The Baxi Multiheat is fuelled by wood pellets. It is highly efficient (around 90%) helping to minimise both costs and emissions when running the unit.

The Baxi Multiheat cleanly and efficiently uses biofuel to heat space and hot water.

integrated into central heating systems in a similar way to conventional boilers, the Baxi Multiheat can satisfy the total heating and hot water requirements of homes or businesses.