The talk about climate change, global warming and green technology is peppered with many buzz words and injected with a lot of hype. When asked about the first thing that springs to mind in relation to clean technology, most people would say solar panels or wind turbines. Although these technologies are robust and credible, most people seem to forget or ignore a much simpler type of energy generation. Heat generation through wood burning is as ancient as it gets. However modern wood burning stoves are sophisticated, reliable and still help you save the environment.
It is essential to first understand biomass boilers. As the name suggests, biomass boilers burn organic fuel (bio-fuel), rather than fossil fuels that are extracted from the ground (such as oil, gas, coal). The boilers are designed to deal with several types of wood depending on the type of the boiler. There are two primary groups of wood that are used: untreated wood (such as logs) and treated wood (such as 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.
When we burn fossil fuels, we release a high volume of carbon that was previously captured underground for millions of years. During the burning process, the resulting carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere and contributes to the climate change phenomenon. Boilers that burn wood, however, are much less harmful as they only release carbon that was captured by the plant during the years. They do not bring any more carbon into the delicate balance of our plant and are generally considered to be carbon neutral.
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 consideration - unlike modern gas and oil boilers, a biomass boiler is larger in size and requires a large area nearby to store the wood. It is wise to plan for this space in advance.
* Chimney - biomass boilers require chimneys. And more specifically, chimneys that are lined for wood burning. However, it is a problem that can be solved by adding a lined flue within the chimney.
* Smoke implications - some areas are designated ‘Smoke Free’. If you live in such are, you need to find a unit that is exempted under the Clean Air Act.
* Other General Considerations - to avoid disappointment later, it is wise to check with the planning department of your local authority about the implications of installing a biomass boiler, especially if you live in a listed building or a conservation area.
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