Commercial Biomass Boilers Discussed by Total Boiler Services

Commercial or Industrial Biomass Boilers use the heat generated from burning natural materials to heat and provide hot water to commercial or industrial properties or businesses, in much the same way as a gas or oil supply boiler does.

An industrial biomass boiler is a renewable and carbon-neutral alternative to fossil-fuel supplied boilers (gas or oil) and therefore much better when it comes to the environmental impacts. They are often a lower-cost option for providing a commercial property or business with heat and heated water, compared to a gas or oil fuel supply boiler.

In the last 10 years, commercial biomass systems have become a viable choice for businesses and this mainly due to the lower costs of running it as well as the Government’s RHI Commercial Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. An industrial biomass boiler will significantly lower a businesses energy bills, reduce its CO2 emissions and if planned by a boiler specialist like Total Boiler services can also provide an income if they have been installed for commercial, charity, public sector and non-profit organisations.

How does biomass work?

The fuel used to generate heat includes wood, pellets, chips or logs. The boiler system burns the materials known as the fuel and subsequently heats the water inside it, which is then used to provide heated water and the heat pump pushes the heated water through the pipework. When the water has cooled it is then fed back into the biomass boiler to be heated again. This is much the same as solar panels work where the sun is the fuel.

How long do industrial biomass boilers last?

A professionally installed and well-maintained biomass boiler should last 20 years plus if installed by a professional and well maintained and serviced regularly. Total Boiler Services are experts in the installation and maintenance of all types of boilers and heating systems. We offer a full range of services from initial planning and design, the required CAD drawings through to technical specification and installation for all commercial and industrial biomass boiler installations. The range of boilers includes biomass boilers, oil boilers, gas boilers, LPG boilers both commercial and domestic.

How much does a commercial biomass boiler cost?

The cost of a commercial biomass boiler will vary depending on the property you want to heat and provide hot water to and this will determine the size of the boiler you need. If you also want to produce electricity to feedback into the mains grid to make money from then this is also a consideration on the type of boiler you choose. A professional boiler specialist like Total Boiler Services will assess your property and energy needs and be able to advise you of the types of boilers which will be suitable. the cost of the boiler, its installation, maintenance and fuel costs giving you comparisons between boilers.

As an example, an automatic pellet fed boiler can cost anything between £10,000 – £20,000 (depending on the size of your property or business), which includes the cost of installation, testing, compliance sign off and training.

Are commercial biomass boilers worth the investment?

An industrial biomass boiler is worth the investment as it will significantly lower your energy costs, reduce your property or businesses carbon emissions as well as you being able to apply for the financial support provided by the UK government, the Commercial Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

You can have a commercial boiler installed even if you have mains gas supply and an existing gas boiler so it isn’t just an option for properties and businesses with no mains connection. As an example, if you compare a commercial biomass boiler to a heat pump system the biomass will generally be the most efficient when it comes to renewable energy and its environmental impact.

What is the UK Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)?

The RHI scheme allows you to receive payments from the government for the heat you generate if you are a commercial, charity, public sector and non-profit organisation. The annual payments tend to cover the cost of the biomass system installation in anything from 5-8 years. In most cases, the larger the boiler the quicker it will cover the cost of the boiler and its installation.

Biomass Boilers

What are the Benefits of Biomass Boilers?

There are many benefits to commercial or industrial biomass and more and more businesses are now installing them as their preferred boiler heat pump system. The benefits of a biomass boiler far outway any of their disadvantages.

  • They offer huge savings when it comes to ongoing energy bills and heating costs as well as meeting your heating requirements
  • They will support a business to become more environmentally friendly and reduce their carbon emissions
  • Most commercial properties are suitable for the installation of a commercial or industrial biomass boiler but you will need a specialist like Total Boiler Services to plan, design and install your system to suit your property and your heating demands. An important factor to consider and plan is the space you have on your site for the fuel store needed for your biomass boiler
  • Your properties location or changing weather conditions won’t impact the energy output of an industrial biomass boiler.
  • The installation of commercial biomass allows you to apply for the financial support scheme provided by the UK government. The Commercial Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) pays you for the heat that your boiler generates. RHI payments will often cover the cost and installations costs of your biomass boiler system over a period of 5-8 years.
  • They are easy to maintain and service by a biomass specialist engineer and are fully automated
  • They are environmentally friendly heat and hot water generating systems
  • They will support your business to become more environmentally friendly and work towards reducing your businesses carbon emissions, therefore, improving your carbon accounting report. This alone can lead to carbon credits and tax relief
  • The fuel for biomass can be purchased and delivered to your property in large quantities to your fuel store (several tonnes at a time)

What are the Disadvantages of an Industrial Biomass Heating System?

There aren’t many disadvantages when it comes to installing biomass versus fossil fuel systems.

  • Installing a commercial boiler or heat pump system is a big investment, however, the installation and cost of the boiler is counterbalanced with long term savings in energy costs and financial incentives offered by the UK’s government RHI payment scheme
  • Commercial boilers, whether biomass, oil or gas boilers, tend to be bigger so you need specific space for them to be installed
  • You will need a large area and storage space for the fuel you will need to power your boiler

How do I qualify for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) tariff payment scheme?

To qualify for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payment under the government scheme you have to calculate the heat you produce in kWh of thermal energy and this number is then used to calculate your payment. Total Boiler Services can help you with your calculations of the Renewable Heat Incentive when planning and designing your system to make sure you will be eligible. The larger your biomass boiler system is, the more quickly the RHI tariff payments will pay off the cost and installation of your boiler system, sometimes in as little as 5 years.

Can commercial biomass boilers produce electricity?

Burning the renewable fuel can generate electricity and heat using a combined heat and power (CHP) boiler. Properties which have a high and continuous heat demand benefit most from this technology through their ongoing fuel savings.

Will you need planning permission for a commercial boiler to be installed?

Planning permission is generally not needed for the installation of a biomass system but it can depend on the size of the system and other aspects, including, if the flue exceeds a certain height above the highest part of your commercial premises. Total Boiler Services will review this with you when it comes to the planning and design of your commercial boiler.

What is the process for installing an industrial biomass boiler?

The installation of a commercial or industrial boiler will depend on the size of the boiler system and if there are any aspects of the existing system that need to be replaced or decommissioned.

The burning of waste is strictly governed by the Waste Incineration Directive and the Environment Agency, so you have to ensure you have all the necessary permission before the boiler is installed, again Total Boiler services can help you with this.

What is burnt in commercial biomass boilers?

Generally, biomass energy is wood in different forms; logs, pellets or wood chips. There are specific boilers which only burn wood pellets and these are called biomass wood pellet boilers. Burning the wood results in heat generation which is then used much like other boilers to heat the water. Depending on the type of boiler you have installed it can also generate electricity which can be used by the property and any leftover can be fed directly into the mains electricity grid if that is what it has been designed to do.

Do industrial biomass Biomass Heating Systems smell?

Biomass fuel and biomass pellets are burned in a closed flue system so there is no smell or smoke which can escape into the atmosphere or your property making any smell or odours.

How does a commercial biomass boiler provide efficient heating?

If a commercial boiler is planned, designed, installed correctly and maintained they can have an efficiency of anything between 80-90% and this is significantly higher than many conventional fuel type boilers.

Are industrial biomass boilers cheaper to run than an oil boiler?

The fuel for biomass is significantly cheaper per kW compared to oil and electricity and it is slightly cheaper than gas as a fuel as well as giving you the opportunity to apply for the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme.

Will biomass replace fossil fuels?

Bioenergy generated from biomass is a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels as it is produced from renewable materials including types of wood, plants and garden waste which can be replenished.

Is biomass eco friendly?

Biomass is regarded as a renewable energy source and is more environmentally friendly compared to the production and burning of other non-renewable fuels (coal, gas, and oil). Biomass systems and the processes they use do produce and release some CO2 into the atmosphere when combusted, however, it is no more than the amount absorbed by plants during their lifetime. This is why biomass fuel and biomass pellets are regarded as being low carbon, and even more so if it is used is from sustainable and local sources.

About Total Boiler Services

Total Boiler Services Commercial Heating Systems & Plumbing Engineers work in many types of businesses and environments and are focused on providing each and every customer with the right boiler and heating system for them, their property, as well as looking after the environment with renewable type fuel systems:

  • Schools
  • Colleges & Universities
  • Churches
  • Conference Centres
  • Ministry of Defence Buildings
  • Offices
  • Hospitals
  • Care Sectors & Nursing Homes
  • Doctors Surgeries
  • Community Centres
  • Leisure Centres
  • Leisure Complexes
  • Historic Buildings
  • Utility Sectors
  • Charities
  • Factories & Industrial Units
  • Hotels & Leisure Facilities
  • Retail Centres
  • Shops
  • Factories
  • Industrial Units

Our Heating, Boiler, Plumbing and Pipework Services include:

  • 24-hour Emergency Callout Service
  • Repairs
  • Maintenance and Servicing
  • Planning & Design
  • Installations
  • Maintenance Service Contracts

Total Boiler Services are specialists in the design and installation of all types of energy-efficient and cost-effective heating systems including industrial and commercial boilers, biomass systems, oil boilers, gas boilers and LPG boilers. We have extensive experience in biomass system installations whether you have the requirements for a new installation or repair or maintenance of an existing system.

Commercial Boiler Maintenance & Servicing Consultancy & Planning Services

If you are thinking about, or need a new heating, plumbing or pipework system in your commercial premises as your current heating system is not working then we can help you understand the best cost-effective system for you. We offer a full consultancy service to advise you on the industries most up to date and state-of-the-art energy-efficient and cost-saving products including the Renewable Heat Incentive. Our consultancy team will plan and design it in accordance to your businesses or properties requirements and needs and we will project manage your installation from start to finish. This includes; the decommissioning of any older systems, solar panels, installation, testing and compliance sign off, along with planned aftercare and system operation.

If you are looking to make your business eligible for the Renewable Heat Incentive and be more energy efficient with a Biomass Boiler or your commercial premises is not connected to mains gas then we can help with the right heating solution for you. Contact us today on 02922 407934 and one of our team can answer any questions you may have and book your free no-obligation site assessment for a time to suit you.