Biomass Boilers Help Fight Climate Change

If you ask the public what is the most popular renewable energy technology, you are likely to hear solar panels and wind turbines. These technologies probably have the highest profile within the much hyped green energy sector. Solar panels and wind turbines have good credentials and should be viewed as true alternative technologies nevertheless. Still, most people forget a much simpler and humbler technology that has been around for many centuries. Wood burning stoves are not only effective and proven, but are also categorized as green, which makes them attractive yet again.

First let's understand how it works. Biomass means that the energy is produced from organic sources (bio-energy). The energy is released when organic sources (wood in this case) are burned, in the same way as mankind was doing for centuries. The fuel used in biomass boilers is either untreated wood or treated wood. Most common fuels are logs, wood chips and wood pallets.

Wood pallets are the most efficient of the wood fuel types. They are made from sawdust which is compressed at high pressure into small pallets (roughly the size of AAA batteries). They are made from by-products of local carpentries, joinery workshops and sawmills. The high pressure compression removes moisture and increases their output to weight ratio, meaning you need less fuel to get the same amount of heat. Another benefit is that they don't leave as much residue on the burner due to full burning reaction.

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.

Here are some pointers on what to check before installing a biomass boiler:

* 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 and location - biomass boilers have larger footprint than a typical boiler and require further space to store the wood. It is essential to calculate the amount of space that would be available for wood storage next to the boiler

* Chimney consideration - a biomass boiler requires a chimney, and more specifically a lined chimney that is designed for wood fuel. However, in most cases such lining can be retro-fitted to carry the smoke.

* 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 considerations - It is wise to check with your local authority's planning department regarding fitting a flue in the property. This is very important in cases where the property is a listed building, or within a conservation area.

About the Author
Tal Potishman, member of Heating Central, publishes content on central heating, Maidstone plumbers, boilers, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating