Heating Appliances Powered by Wood: Boiler Stoves
Wood-fired biomass boilers, also known as wood stove boilers, are becoming an increasingly popular choice for home heating in the UK. These systems burn wood pellets, chips, or logs to provide warmth or power central heating and hot water boilers, offering a fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly solution.
Installation and Costs
The installation costs for wood-fired biomass boilers typically range from about $1,900 to $2,700 on average, but can vary widely from $800 to over $4,400, depending on location, size, and complexity of the system. This includes the boiler unit, chimney system, fuel storage, and sometimes underground piping. [1][4]
Maintenance Requirements
Wood stove biomass boilers are considered easy to maintain by owners, especially if designed well for the home’s heating needs. Regular tasks such as ash removal, heat exchanger cleaning, chimney or flue system cleaning, and combustion system checks are required to ensure safe and efficient operation. These maintenance tasks are usually at least yearly, with periodic ash removal during the heating season. [2][4]
Professional involvement from NFI (National Fireplace Institute) certified technicians is advised for safe installation and maintenance. [4]
Additional Costs
Besides the stove/boiler itself, additional costs to consider include chimney or solid fuel chimney system installation, which can be 50-100% of the stove's price, hearth pads or wall protections as per safety clearances, and fuel storage setup for biomass fuel like wood logs or pellets. [4]
Efficiency and Benefits
Wood-fired boiler stoves are a fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly choice, helping to lower CO2 emissions and increase a home's green credentials. They may qualify for renewable heat incentive payments from the Government and a 5% VAT rate. [2]
Each boiler stove incorporates a back boiler that heats water according to the need for domestic hot water or central heating. A pellet boiler stove provides simultaneous heating and hot water and does not require electricity to run. [2]
Wood-fired boiler stoves transfer heat from burning wood into water, which can then be used for domestic hot water use or piped where it is needed for heating. Almost all stoves can be fitted with boilers, but boilers may require extra considerations such as combustion temperature, wood quality, and reload time. [2]
The price of a boiler to connect the stove might vary according to the size, brand, and type of boiler you're looking to buy, ranging from less than £600 to more than £2,000. [2]
Kiln-dried wood is the most efficient type of fuel, costing about £115-145 per cubic metre and producing a heat output of around 4.5 kWh per kg. [2]
Boiler stoves reduce the heat output to the room, allowing you to enjoy the sight of a fire without overheating the room. Using a stove with a back boiler to heat up the household is an increasingly popular choice in the UK. [2]
If you are over the age of 60 or are receiving income or disability benefits, you could qualify for a 5% VAT reduction on your wood-burning boiler. [2]
It is preferable to use hardwoods, such as oak and ash, instead of softwoods, such as pine or fir, in a wood-burning boiler stove as they will take longer to burn and therefore you will end up using less. [2]
In summary, wood-fired biomass boilers offer a fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective solution for home heating. Regular maintenance and professional involvement are crucial for safe and efficient operation. If you're considering the installation of a boiler, a free-of-charge and no-obligation service is available to request quotes and compare different systems. [1][4]
- Homeowners considering a lifestyle change might find the fashion-and-beauty industry less engaging, as they delve into the world of wood-fired biomass boilers for home heating, an increasingly popular choice that offers an eco-friendly solution.
- If you have a flair for technology and gadgets, you might be interested to know that pellet boiler stoves, a type of wood-fired biomass boiler, operate without electric power to run.
- Travel enthusiasts might appreciate the cost-effectiveness of wood-fired biomass boilers, as their installation costs range from about $1,900 to $2,700 on average, which could potentially finance a short vacation.
- Homeowners seeking a comfortable and efficient living space might find the maintenance requirements of wood stove biomass boilers manageable, as regular tasks include at least yearly chimney or flue system cleaning and combustion system checks.
