Heating Appliances Powered by Wood: Boiler Stoves
Wood-fired boiler stoves are becoming an increasingly popular choice for home heating and hot water in the UK. These stoves offer several advantages, making them a more efficient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional boilers.
Firstly, wood-fired boiler stoves are typically more compact and efficient than conventional boilers. They can be up to 20% more efficient, making them a cost-effective option for homeowners. Moreover, they are easier to install, requiring less complex infrastructure such as pumps and underground piping.
One of the key benefits of wood-fired boiler stoves is their ability to simplify heat distribution. They can be equipped with a hot water coil to provide domestic hot water alongside space heating, eliminating the need for separate water heaters.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Wood-fired boiler stoves may produce more smoke due to frequent cycling on and off, which can affect air quality and require careful management. They are not usually suitable for heating multiple buildings unless manual adjustments are made with special pipe connections and dampers. Additionally, the need to handle and store wood fuel adds labor and space requirements.
For those over the age of 60 or receiving income or disability benefits, a 5% VAT reduction is available on wood-burning boiler stoves, making them a more affordable option. Similarly, wood-burning-only boiler stoves qualify for a 5% VAT rate.
The price of wood fuel varies by country and type. Freshly cut wood costs approximately £80 per cubic metre, while ready-seasoned wood costs around £95-230 per cubic metre. Kiln-dried wood, the most efficient type of fuel, costs about £115-145 per cubic metre and provides a heat output of around 4.5 kWh per kg.
A wood-burning stove connected to a boiler is a great alternative to heating with oil or gas. In fact, wood-fired heating systems, also known as biomass heating systems, burn wood pellets, chips, or logs to provide warmth and power central heating and hot water boilers.
It's important to note that wood-fired boiler stoves can be subject to renewable heat incentive payments from the Government. Furthermore, it is possible to have a stove without a chimney, with the most widely used solution being to construct an exposed flue system.
A wood-burning stove with heat outputs of 4-10kW will cost around £500-1,500 plus installation costs. Using a stove with a back boiler to heat up the household is an increasingly popular choice in the UK. Each boiler stove incorporates a back boiler that takes some of the stove's output and heats water according to the need for domestic hot water or central heating.
In summary, the main pros of wood-fired boiler stoves are their compact size, improved efficiency, simplified installation, and the dual function of heating and hot water. The cons include increased smoke production, potential complexity for multi-structure heating, and the labor of managing wood fuel. Choosing the right system depends on your heating needs, home size, and willingness to handle the fuel and emissions considerations.
[1] Biomass Boilers: What You Need to Know
[2] Wood-Burning Stoves: A Guide to Choosing the Right One
- For those interested in a more eco-friendly and cost-effective lifestyle, biomass boilers, including wood-fired boiler stoves, are gaining popularity in the fashion-and-beauty of home-and-garden improvements.
- The food-and-drink sector isn't the only one undergoing transformation as the trend towards wood-fired boiler stoves for home heating and hot water###also extends to the travel industry, with some accommodations opting for these sustainable heating solutions.
- In addition to their environmental benefits, wood-fired boiler stoves offer a unique shopping experience for car enthusiasts, as many luxury automobile brands are now incorporating wood-burning stoves in their designs for a rustic, yet modern,appeal in travel and leisure.
