Using wood to generate heat has been around for along time. Wood is a very multipurpose fuel and can be burned in varied forms to provide central heating and is a form of biomass. Wood pellets, logs or chips are burned when using wood fuelled heating systems.Wood pellets, chips or logs are used to power central heating and hot water boilers or to provide warmth in a single room.
There are two main ways of using wood to heat your home:
A standalone stove burning logs or pellets to heat a single room. Some can also be fitted with a back boiler to provide water heating as well.
A boiler burning pellets, logs or chips connected to a central heating and hot water system.
Log burning stoves and boilers are filled with wood by hand. Some pellet and chip burners use automatic fuel feeders which refill them at regular intervals from fuel storage units called hoppers.
Benefits of wood fuel heating
Can be carbon neutral - although burning wood releases CO2, it is the same amount as was absorbed while the wood was growing. If a new tree is planted for each one burned, there are no overall carbon emissions.
No wasted wood - burning wood can be a convenient means of disposing of waste that might otherwise be sent to a landfill site.
Wood fuelled heating system suitability
If wood fuelled heating is right for you, there are a few considerations you will need to look at. You´ll need a large dry area close to the boiler to store your wood. Ideally this should be close to where the wood is delivered to your home to minimise the distance you have to carry it. You will also need a vent which is specially designed for wood fuel appliances, with sufficient air movement for proper operation of the stove. Your current chimney can be fitted with a lined flue, which is somewhat inexpensive. This system will need to comply with safety and building regulations in your area. If you live in an old or unusual home this may be an issue.
Do you need planning permission? You need to talk to your local authority if your flue will extend 1m or more above the height of your roof, or your home is in a Conservation Area or World Heritage Site and you plan to install a flue on the principal elevation visible from a road.
