Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:38:14 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=789&Focus=8349#Comment_8349 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=789&Focus=8349#Comment_8349 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:30:26 +0100 tommy
I like what I have heard so far in terms of their 'green' credentials and economy (v.s potential oil price rises), but am nowhere near being able to make a decision on whether this would be a sensible move. This will be my family home, expect to be there for a minimum of 10 years.

I would really appreciate all thoughts... Thanks in advance!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=789&Focus=8353#Comment_8353 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=789&Focus=8353#Comment_8353 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:58:17 +0100 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=789&Focus=8380#Comment_8380 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=789&Focus=8380#Comment_8380 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 11:08:27 +0100 Ecoman Good insulation cuts costs as well.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=789&Focus=8383#Comment_8383 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=789&Focus=8383#Comment_8383 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:42:34 +0100 kenshaw Ken]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=789&Focus=8385#Comment_8385 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=789&Focus=8385#Comment_8385 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:06:18 +0100 Olly
On these systems the biomass boilers are often sized to take the base load and then gas (very cheap boilers in comparison) is used for peak lopping and backup, that allows you to run your biomass plant for say 16hours a day and gives you large carbon savings without having to size the biomass for peak load on a February morning.

Biomass boilers don't like being switched on and off and don't modulate as well as gas boilers, they are best run hard, continuously for long periods. Accurate sizing and using a large thermal accumulator/buffer tank helps to do this. A lot of problems with biomass heating systems are actually down to the plant being over-sized.

If you have a highly insulated house with very low heat loads you may may struggle to find a pellet boiler small enough. I understand the Code Level 6 "Zero carbon" Kingspan Lighthouse built on the BRE site uses a 12kW pellet boiler, which I think is 2 or 3 times bigger than they wanted, but it was the smallest they could get. (They fitted the flue a month or so ago, I'm not sure if it's actually ever been run)

If you want to cut heating costs then of course insulation is always the first thing to look at.]]>