Specifications
Feasibility and System Design
If you are considering installing a wood boiler it is recommended that you examine the possibilities from the
point of view of cost and technical perspective. This does not need to be a complex process, the information
below will help.
If it is deemed feasible to go ahead with a wood system, it also needs to be designed so that it integrates
with other systems in the dwelling. This will often be a job for the installer / supplier, but it helps to have a
basic knowledge of how the process works, so that the design proposals can be examined and allow better
informed decisions to be made.
Note: For new dwellings, the Building Regulations 2008 Part L requires a proportion of primary energy to
be supplied by a renewable source. Wood boilers and other wood burning appliances can help meet this
minimum renewable energy requirement and also inuence the Building Energy Rating (BER) results for
dwellings.
Any house with the space for the boiler and associated items such as accessibility for fuel delivery, fuel store
and boiler cleaning/maintenance is suitable for wood heating. In some cases, however, a wood stove might
be more practical when space or accessibility is an issue. Potentially every project is dierent, and therefore
it is recommended that you contact a BER assessor to accurately calculate the heat requirement of your
dwelling. You will then have an indication of the boiler size required.
Feasibility
General Considerations
Space available
Integration with heat distribution system and additional heat sources
Availability and cost of fuel
Economic Feasibility
Compared to gas or oil
Establish annual consumption, for example heat load calc x 1,500 full load hours, information available
from DEAP, RET screen
Data availability, for example SEAI fuel cost comparisons, quotes from supplier
Displacement of fossil fuel equipment, for example cost of oil boiler taken o total biomass system costs
Fuel cost escalation to calculate pay back
System Design
General advice on best practice design features includes:
Insulation of pipe work - pipe runs can be a major source of heat Ioss; make sure all pipes and ttings
are appropriately insulated. Best practice is to insulate the entire length of primary pipe work (the main
pipes running between the boiler and the heating system, including the hot water cylinder). This will
ensure that minimal heat loss through the pipe work and will guarantee that the heat is delivered to
your living space or through the taps as hot water.
Ash - when wood burns, ash is inevitably produced (in a boiler, this is usually less than 1% of fuel input).