It’s no secret that biomass boilers can be expensive to install. But what may come as a surprise is how much they can cost, especially compared to traditional heating systems like natural gas or oil. Switching to a biomass boiler can save you up to 40% on your energy bill, but does that make up for the initial investment? In this article, we will look at biomass boiler cost, how it compares to other heating systems and whether or not it’s the right option for you.
What is the Price of a Biomass Boiler?
The cost of a biomass boiler will depend on several factors, including the level of automation. Smaller systems are cheaper, and more automated systems are more expensive.
The type of biomass fuel you use will also affect the price; manual systems are usually less expensive than automatically-fed biomass boilers.
You could generally pay anywhere from £10,000 to over £30,000 for a biomass boiler system, including the installation. Here is a brief overview of different biomass boilers and their prices.
- Small, manually fed log boilers can cost between £10,000 and £13,000.
- Large, manually fed log boilers can cost between £13,000 and £16,000.
- Small, automatically fed pellet boilers can cost between £15,000 and £21,000.
- Large, automatically fed pellet boilers can cost between £22,000 and £31,000.
Wood pellets for stoves.
Aspects that Affect a Biomass Boiler’s Price
Biomass Boiler Installation Costs
Biomass boiler installation costs can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the type and size of the boiler, the type of fuel you are using, and whether or not you are installing a new boiler or retrofitting an existing one.
Generally, installation costs are a bit high compared to other types of boilers, but long-term savings can offset fuel and energy costs.
However, homeowners in the UK can receive biomass boiler grants from the government for switching to low-carbon heating systems like biomass boilers. You can apply for a grant of up to £5,000 towards the cost and installation of your boiler.
Types of Biomass Fuels
The types of biomass fuel you use will also affect the cost of your boiler. The most common biomass boiler types are wood pellets, logwood, and wood chips.
Wood pellets have a calorific value of 4.8 kWh per kilogram, the most expensive fuel type, but they are also the most efficient and produce the least amount of carbon emissions. You can expect to pay around £250 per tonne of wood pellets.
Wood chips and wood logs have a calorific value of 3.5 kWh and 4.1 kWh, respectively. They are less expensive than wood pellets but are not as efficient and produce more carbon emissions. You can expect to pay around £90 per tonne for wood chip boilers and £100 per tonne for logwood.
Burning Wood Pellets.
Biomass Storage Capacity
The size of the boiler you need will also affect the cost. Biomass boilers are available in various sizes, from small domestic boilers to large commercial ones. Generally, they are much bigger than oil boilers located in your central heating system.
The size of the boiler you need will depend on your heat demand (how much heat you need to generate) and also on the storage space you need. The larger the boiler, the more expensive it will be.
Output Size
The output size of the boiler is in kilowatts (kW). The average boiler with a 45 kW output will be around £22,000. The larger the boiler, the more expensive it will be.
Maintenance and Servicing Costs
Burning biomass produces several by-products, including ash, which you must remove from the boiler regularly.
This ash adds to the maintenance and servicing costs of the boiler. Biomass boilers also need you to clean them regularly to prevent soot build-up, which can reduce their efficiency.
You can expect to pay between £200 and £500 per year for the maintenance and servicing of your biomass boiler.
Other Additional Features
Many other features can affect the cost of your biomass boiler. These include:
If you don’t have a hot water cylinder, you’ll need to buy one; this will cost between £900 and £3000.
You’ll also need to factor in the insulation cost for your boiler and pipes, which can cost between £100 and £1000.
Not only that, you must keep your biomass fuel in a dry, well-ventilated space. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to build one – this will cost between £500 and £2000.
Biomass Fuel Price: Is It Expensive?
Biomass boilers are not expensive to run. The cost of fuel is the main factor when it comes to running a biomass boiler.
The price of wood pellets has remained stable over the last few years and is currently around £250 per tonne. To run a wood pellet boiler with a 45 kW output will cost around £11 per hour.
Here is the average price of biomass fuels:
- Wood pellets – £250 per tonne
- Wood chips – £90 per tonne
- Logwood – £100 per tonne
The average home in the UK needs around 2-5 tonnes of wood pellets per year to heat their property. This number means that the cost of running a biomass boiler will be between £500 and £1250 per year.
Natural wood pellet in hands with euro banknotes.
The Government Offers Grants.
There are government grants available for biomass boilers. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, for example, can save you £5,000 on starting costs for your biomass boiler.
The UK government fun this scheme and encourages users to invest in renewable energy sources such as biomass heating systems.
Can a Biomass Boiler Aid in Financial Savings?
A biomass boiler can save you money on your energy bills. The cost of running a biomass boiler will be between £500 and £1250 per year. Here is a breakdown of the wood fuel compared to other heating types:
- Wood fuel – £890 per year
- Electricity – £2700 per year
- Coal- £1500 per year
- Oil- £1700 per year
- Natural Gas boilers– £1000 per year
- LPG- £1900 per year
As you can see, wood fuel is cheaper than all other fuel types. In addition, the cost of a domestic biomass boiler will be offset by the available government grants.
Biomass Advantages and Disadvantages
There are several pros and cons to biomass boilers. Here are some of the main ones:
Pros
- Biomass can save you money on your energy bills
- They are eligible for government grants
- Renewable fuel and sustainable source of energy
- Reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emissions and doesn’t burn fossil fuel
Cons
- The initial cost of the boiler can be expensive
- You’ll need a space to store the biomass fuel
- You must have your own home or business to install a biomass boiler
- The boiler needs you to service and maintain them regularly
So, the answer to the question “is a biomass boiler right for me?” is that it depends on your circumstances.
If you are looking for a renewable and sustainable energy source that can save you money on your energy bills, then a biomass boiler could be the right choice.
However, if you don’t have the space to store the biomass fuel or the upfront cost of the boiler is a deterrent, then biomass might not be the best option.
A small pile of wood pellets on top of green leaves.
FAQ
Is It Accurate To Say That Biomass Boilers Require Planning Approval?
There is no need for planning permission if the biomass boiler is inside your property’s boundaries.
What Is the Lifespan of a Biomass Boiler?
The average lifespan of a biomass boiler is 10-15 years. However, if you regularly service and maintain your boiler, it could last up to 20 years.
Are Biomass Boilers Noisy?
No, biomass boilers are not noisy. They are one of the quietest types of boiler on the market.
Conclusion
A biomass boiler is an excellent way to reduce and carbon footprint and save you money in the long range. They are eligible for government grants and are a renewable and sustainable energy source.
The initial cost of the boiler can be expensive, but it will last for 10-15 years with proper maintenance.
We hope you found this article helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment.