What Are Biomass Boilers?

Biomass boilers have been around since the latter-half of the 20^th century but have massively caught on in relevance and use throughout the last decade or so thanks to the challenges that we are facing as a world in regard to climate change and sustainability. Biomass boilers and heating systems use wood pellets and other biofuels to provide warmth, or to power an entire central heating system.
With a biomass boiler, a stove burns logs, pellets or other biofuels to generate heat through a central heating hot water system. All in all, a biomass boiler can save consumers hundreds of pounds per year, with some of the more efficient ones saving thousands.

#1: How Do They Work?

Biomass boilers, such as those installed by PBE fuels, work very similarly to conventional boilers in that they combust fuel to produce heat to heat up water and distribute it around your home’s central heating system. Because of what they do, biomass boilers are generally bigger than their contemporary fossil-fuel burning gas counterparts; they are burning biofuels which require more space.
As further developments in biofuels and other biotechnologies come to light, it is likely that biomass boilers will reduce in size, just like their gas-reliant counterparts did throughout the 20^th century.

#2: Biomass Boilers Require User-Input

With a biomass boiler, you have to add fuel to it yourself; wood pellets or other biofuels cannot be sourced through a system of pipes like gas can. This can be off-putting for people who can do without the extra responsibility, but there are other solutions.
For example, an automatic hopper can be installed to a biomass boiler which stores a larger volume of biofuel and feeds it into the boiler as and when necessary. Although the hopper will still require user-input, you will need to refill the hopper far less regularly than you would the boiler itself.

#3: Are Biofuels Necessary?

Yes, absolutely  - the challenges we are facing regarding climate change and the sustainability of fossil fuels have massively influenced modern developments in the biofuel industry, an industry which is developing out of pure necessity. Biofuels are made from organic materials, such as food waste, wood by-products and industrial waste, meaning that there is an infinite supply of these materials which, when compared to fossil fuels and greenhouse gases, are far better for the environment as a whole.
It is not only climate change issues, though, consumers are constantly demanding cheaper alternatives, and many are opting to switch to biomass boilers for the long-term savings.
Biomass boilers are nothing new, but recent developments in the industry have been staggering. These developments are a direct result of the human race’s need to find a more sustainable energy source which is less harmful for the environment and more affordable for consumers. Although today’s biomass boilers require a degree of end-user input and maintenance, it is likely that we are going to see major developments over the next decade or so and, eventually, biomass boilers are expected to be the standard in homes, as opposed to the fossil fuel-reliant gas boilers many of us have now.