Welcome to www.pelletboiler.co.uk
Here’s a list of common questions people ask about pellet boilers:
Q: Are pellet boilers expensive?
A: Like any domestic or commercial boiler it’s often the case of you get what you pay for. Sure, you can buy cheap pellet boilers but it’s all relative in the grand scheme of things, sometimes it’s not always the best policy to buy the cheapest you can find. Prices for this type of equipment are higher than ‘normal’ boilers however there are benefits of pellet boiler ownership to factor in, see below.
Q: Why do I need a pellet boiler?
A: You don’t have to have a pellet boiler, there are plenty of other types you can buy such as those powered by gas (which are commonly found in many households). However the main attraction of the pellet variety is because of the positive benefits they have on the environment and to your wallet.
Q: How can I buy a pellet boiler?
A: Although being a ‘specialist’ item many heating companies now sell and install pellet boilers. A quick search on the internet will show results for stockists & installers, include your postcode or town name in the search and you may find someone local to you. You can buy a
Q: What fuel does a pellet boiler run on?
A: The answer to this part lies in the question! pellets. The pellets are made up of compressed sawdust, a bi-product produced by the wooden furniture manufacturing, sawmill and processing industry. As there is no need to add any chemicals or additives in the production process this makes wood pellets carbon neutral and ecologically, a sound & renewable fuel. The sawdust contains a natural product called lignin which helps bind the pellets together in the extrusion process.
Q: Where can I buy wood pellets?
A: There are many UK suppliers of wood pellets, they can be bought in bagged quantities or loose bulk loads, try eBay for wood pellet suppliers
Q: Why are pellet boilers considered better for the environment?
- The CO2 that is released (into the atmosphere) by burning is equal to the amount absorbed originally (by the tree the pellets came from), this leads to a zero release of CO2. In addition, the COs that is a product of burning wood pellets can be absorbed by other growing trees which in effect creates a continuous cycle.
- Wood pellets can be obtained by local sources, this means a big reduction in CO2 miles (consider the cost of production and how far gas or oil has to travel from source to your location). By this token, Gas & oil can be three to four times more expensive than wood pellets providing they are locally sourced.
- The manufacturing process used to make wood pellets is, by comparison to oil or gas, relatively simple and uses far less energy compared to oil refining or gas exploration & extraction.
- Biomass wood pellets are, unlike oil and gas, a sustainable resource.
Q: Do pellet boilers operate the same way as a normal domestic boiler?
A: Absolutely, they just use a different fuel to power them, you can get both hot water and run a central heating system using a pellet boiler
Q: Could I use a pellet boiler to heat my industrial or commercial property?
A: Of course, like other types of boiler the pellet version comes in different sizes that produces different heat output levels, choice of KW/h depends on the area to be heated. Your heating engineer will advise you on which boiler is suitable for your needs.
Q: Are there any government grants that give cash rebates to install a pellet boiler?
A: Yes! there is currently a scheme running that you could claim up to £950 for a biomass (pellet) boiler. The Renewable Heat Premium Payment is designed to help you afford renewable technologies for your home and is offered by the government via the Energy Saving Trust
The closing date set for this scheme is March 31 2011.