INDUSTRY VOICE
them to make a choice to install a biomass heating and hot water system. We might consider a couple of common scenarios. “Most commonly, the existing heating boiler breaks down and is not economic to repair. Does the customer replace like for like e.g. LPG for LPG or oil for oil? Or do they make a bolder choice and look for a greener solution with more fuel independence? If the break down occurs during the heating season, this is a now a decision being made under duress and there may be little time to ponder. Furthermore, if the existing boiler was the only form of heat the homeowner is familiar with, there is already a huge challenge in introducing the concept of a biomass boiler. “Alternatively, the existing boiler is old and uneconomical but so far it hasn’t been unreliable. The service engineer says it’s about time to change it. In this case there is more time to think, plan and choose.” For heating installation businesses which want to sell biomass boilers, storage and fuel delivery solutions, the challenges of assisting customers who are making purchases under duress are plentiful. Bruce continues: “Can the planning and installation process be quick, or can a temporary heating solution be found? If the issue is to provide hot water in spring, summer or autumn, then a solution can be more easily found. A real challenge is to provide temporary heating for a whole house in winter. “In both cases there will be conversations
around whether the domestic RHI scheme still gives sufficient benefit for consideration. In this case, only MCS- registered installers using MCS-approved appliances will gain access to RHI, so if the installer is not yet MCS registered there is already an immediate challenge.” There are a number of practical
considerations that will need to be made by the homeowner and questions that biomass professionals should be encouraging them to ask may include: • Is there room for a fuel storage tank? If there was an oil tank, there may be some room for a pellet or log store but this will generally take more room than the oil tank.
40 August 2017
Biomass in the home B
The popularity of biomass for households across the UK is steadily growing as it is seen as not only a viable alternative as an energy source, but also a more economical one. Bruce Allen, CEO of HETAS discusses the opportunities and challenges of introducing biomass to homeowners
ruce says: “At a practical level, there are some challenges of working with domestic consumers and helping
make calculations to give correct flue sizes. It is acceptable to go along with the calculations as long as they are robust and all other parts of guidance and standards are adhered to. • Once the appliance is in place, there is a very important decision to make about fuel. So much fuel is of variable quality and moisture content. Customers must be strongly advised to buy fuel from a reputable supplier belonging to Woodsure, the UK’s only woodfuel quality assurance scheme, and ENplus, the European pellet quality scheme. The hard work and commitment of a professionally delivered installation can be jeopardised by poor or variable fuel quality. Good quality fuel allows appliances to be as efficient as they can be, with the cleanest emissions.
Sometimes a biomass store could replace an LPG tank but it is less likely due to siting limitations. Size of storage will depend on fuel chosen i.e. this will normally be pellets or logs for domestic use. • If the fuel chosen is pellets, can the driver get the lorry and fuel delivery equipment to the store and deliver safely? • Is there an existing heating system? If you propose a biomass boiler replaces an LPG or oil one, how old is the heating system and has the house benefited from extra insulation.
• Has the house been extended? Only a detailed examination of the heating system, along with heat loss calculations will reveal whether the system will work with the type of boiler, controls and possibly accumulator/water store that will be needed to provide a modern flexible system that meets the Building Regs and Guidance documents like AD L1 and 2 Conservation of Fuel and Power. • Is the system currently open vented and will it be sealed? Are the system, the valves and radiator fittings old and will they leak? • Do you want an accumulator and what type of hot water system will be used e.g. thermal store, mains pressure, tank fed? • Can you get the chimney/flue requirements sorted? Surprisingly there are some challenges with recommended chimney/liner sizes for some biomass boilers. Modern high efficiency boilers can sometimes operate very efficiently on flue sizes that do not concur with general guidance and a manufacturer of appliances or chimney systems can
Biomass is growing in popularity as a viable and economical alternative as an energy source, says Hetas CEO Bruce Allen pictured below
Help with getting it right
“Some of the challenges can be minimised and the chances of ensuring the customer is fully satisfied with the final job can be maximised. Building a relationship with the homeowner is key to this process,” says Bruce. “Consumer confidence can be raised if the
relationship between the installer business and the registration organisation, in this case HETAS, is communicated. Demonstrating you are a bona fide business with proper training, competence and business practices gives the customer confidence. “Gaining an understanding of the customer’s lifestyle and expectations will also help to ensure they are getting the right appliance for their needs. For instance, if a customer says they have trees or access to wood and are happy to chop logs and season them, it must be understood that the system installed will meet those needs. If situations change and the customer cannot maintain the regular log cutting and seasoning, they may find that a pellet boiler is more suited to their life. These lifestyle choices are important factors to take into consideration. “Last but not least, the relationship between the installer and the appliance manufacturer/supplier is critical,” says Bruce. “Who knows the appliance better than the maker? Many boiler manufacturers help installers design installations and calculate chimney system requirements. Again this relationship is an important partnership for many installers in delivering the highest quality installations.”
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