Renewable Energy is Worth Your Effort

Renewable energy technologies like solar panels, ground source heat pumps and biomass heaters are becoming increasingly popular. These technologies offer alternatives or supplements to conventional domestic fuels and energy systems.

For centuries people have been generating their own energy from organic matter like wood. And while open fires may no longer be everyday household fixtures, today's wood burning boilers and stoves can offer a practical and efficient way to heat your home. They can replace or work alongside conventional heating systems which use fossil fuels such as gas, oil and coal - and help you use less.

The benefits

The immediate benefit of renewable systems is the reduced impact they have on the environment. Unlike fossil fuels they produce little or no net carbon dioxide (CO2); the harmful gas that?s one of the biggest causes of climate change.

Although biomass produces CO2 it only releases the same amount that it absorbed whilst growing making it a carbon neutral process. Furthermore, biomass can contribute to waste management by harnessing energy from products that are often disposed of at landfill sites.

Did you know a biomass powered boiler could also save you around £200 a year in energy bills and around 8 tonnes of CO2 per year depending on what fuel is replaced, helping you save money, energy and the environment?

How it works

There are two main ways of using biomass to heat your home: you can use a stove to heat an individual room, or a boiler that will connect to your central heating and hot water systems.

Normally, wood burning stoves are designed to provide background heating whilst adding aesthetic value, as they are designed to be located in the main living area of the house itself. Although many wood-burning stoves act as space heaters only, the higher output versions may be fitted with an integral back boiler to provide domestic hot water and, if required, central heating via radiators.

For small-scale domestic applications of biomass the fuel usually takes the form of wood pellets, wood chips or wood logs.

Costs and savings

Stand alone room heaters generally cost around £3,000 installed. Savings will depend on how much they are used and which fuel you are replacing.

The cost for boilers varies depending on the system choice; a typical 15kW (typical size required for an average sized detached house) pellet boiler would cost around £5,500 - £12,000 installed, including the cost of the flue and commissioning. A manual log feed system of the same size would be slightly cheaper.

There is grant aid available in Northern Ireland through the Reconnect programme which provides £1,500* for wood pellet stoves and £3,250* for wood pellet boilers, up to a maximum of 50%.

Reconnect closes on 31st March 2008 so customers should act quickly by ringing 0800 512 012 for further information. After March 31st, local residents can apply to the UK-wide Low Carbon Buildings Programme which provides £600** grant aid for wood pellet stoves and up to £1500** for a wood pellet boiler.

Ursula Toman, Renewables Co-ordinator for the Energy Saving Trust advice centre in Northern Ireland stated:

'In the medium to long term, capital costs are likely to reduce, and along with the anticipated increase in fuel prices and the potential of carbon taxes, the financial viability of many of the technologies will continue to improve. Therefore new and renewable energy technologies will play an increasingly important role in reducing fuel bills; they will also help to reduce the UK?s dependence on imported fuels. As a consequence, carbon emissions will be reduced, thereby providing affordable warmth and greater security of supply.'

Commenting on the installation of their wood pellet stove Ms Boyd from Carrickfergus said; "The grant applications for the renewable installations were relatively easy and we did not require planning permission. The installers were very professional and made the work painless for me."

Commenting on their wood pellet boiler installation, Mrs Duffy from Co. Fermanagh said;

'The installation of the 28kW boiler assists with raising awareness of renewable energy through the guests who stay at the cottage, and is also of great interest to the local community. The installation took place over two days and the pellets are bought in bulk and stored in a clean, dry, storage shed.'

So, if you're interested in using renewable energy in your home, call your nearest Energy Saving Trust advice centre on free phone 0800 512 012 or log on to www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/northernireland.

Our advisors will be on hand to give you one-to-one advice on whats practical for your home, explain any technical or planning issues and put you in touch with a local, accredited installer. We can also tell you more about the grants and offers available to help you with your planned home energy improvements.