August 1, 2025 wood heating

There is a common assumption that wood chip and wood pellet boilers are not sustainable. This stems from misconception about what they are, how they work, and where their fuel comes from. In truth: 

• Wood powered boilers are highly regulated to environmental standards 

• Wood chip and wood pellet fuel come from sustainable and renewable sources 

• Wood-fuelled boilers produce dramatically lower emissions than their fossil fuel counterparts 

Uncertainty about wood heat can grow from the idea that combustion fuel must be damaging to the environment, and the misconception that the wood heat industry cuts down trees in order to burn them. Neither is true. 

When the UK government created the Renewable Heat Incentive, its approved Biomass Suppliers List imposed a number of sustainability criteria on wood heat boilers that would operate under the scheme. Among those was the minimum carbon savings of 60% vs the fossil fuel alternative. 

Additionally, there are independent schemes with the weight of the wood fuel market behind them, like ENplus and Woodsure, which certify the quality of wood fuels and audit the sustainability of their supply chains. 

When it comes to the carbon emissions of wood heat, the improvement that it represents over fossil fuels is dramatic — much more than the minimum 60% required. In terms of lifecycle emissions, natural gas stands at around 202kg/MWh, oil at 260kg/MWh, and coal at 363kg/MWh. Wood chip, by contrast, has lifecycle CO₂ emissions of 18kg/MWh, and wood pellets around 15kg/MWh. 

So, at its most pronounced, wood heat’s carbon dioxide emissions are over 24 times lower than fossil fuel heating, and the Biomass Thermal Energy Council and Life Cycle Associates found that wood pellet and chip reduced greenhouse case emissions by 65-100% compared to oil. 

The fear that wood fuel represents a threat to UK or global forests is understandable, but mistaken. Wood pellets and chips require no additional tree felling. 

The timber industry must comply with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in sourcing its wood sustainably. That means they prevent deforestation with new planting of virgin wood, and prevent the destruction of irreplaceable woodland like old growth forests. 

As the industry processes timber, there is wastage in the form of off-cuts and sawdust. While that wood is unusable for timber products, it is perfect for wood fuel, either chipped or pressed into pellets. So, rather than that letting waste wood remaining waste, it can be put to good use, as low carbon fuel to replace heavily polluting fossil fuels. 

As an added bonus, because FSC-certified forests replace felled timber, new trees are there to absorb the carbon that the wood fuel releases, creating a renewable cycle of carbon capture to help offset the carbon released. 

To understand the suite of low- and no-carbon technology that will help to future-proof your business, read our Guide to Green Business Energy.  

Or, if you have questions about sustainable commercial heat and power, please call 01621 892613 to speak to a renewable energy expert who can offer friendly and no-obligation advice about your transition away from fossil fuels.