April 8, 2024 Biomass Boilers, Boiler Efficiency
Keep your biomass boiler running efficiently
Obviously, you want to use as little fuel as possible to get the heat you need. A modern, well-designed boiler will give you the best efficiency on the market, but if you have a less advanced model there are still things you can do to improve its performance. Whatever specification you’re working with, there are some things you can and should do to keep it operating at its fullest potential.
- Performance monitoring
- Choosing the right fuel
- Proper servicing and cleaning
Performance monitoring
If you can measure it, you can manage it.
The first step to improving the efficiency of your boiler is to know how efficient it is in the first place. If your boiler is a sophisticated model, it should be able to monitor and report that. An ETA boiler, for example, has an interface that will display its performance data.
The more detail you have, the easier it is to improve the efficiency. Ideally, you won’t only know the overall performance, you’ll know the performance of each stage, and the condition of each element of the boiler. For example, if all parts of the boiler are working well except one, then knowing that fact will save you time and effort investigating, and you can spend that time on fixing the specific problem. Again, an ETA boiler gives you that detail.
If your brand of boiler doesn’t have that reporting capability, then there is a tool you can use to get it. IDRIS is a diagnostics and efficiency tool that can monitor any wood chip or pellet boiler. It tracks 120 performance indicators, so it’s clear when something needs repair or optimisation, what the problem is, and where the problem is.
Choose the right fuel
If you buy fuel for your bioenergy boiler, then the type of fuel you choose can have a significant impact on efficiency. Too much moisture content (MC) means that the energy output per pellet will be sub-optimal. Choose pellets with 10% MC or lower for the most efficient burn and highest energy output.
The same principle applies if you have your own wood supply. If you are using wood chips or logs that you have sourced, be certain you have dried them sufficiently. Rather than simply leaving them to dry and hoping that their moisture level is low enough, you can use a relatively inexpensive moisture meter to be sure that your fuel has dried properly.
Servicing and cleaning
Every boiler needs regular servicing, whether it runs on gas, oil, or bioenergy. Ongoing care of course means that you keep all components in good condition, and all functions running smoothly, which is fundamental to efficient performance. With an ETA boiler, an engineer can access the boiler’s performance data remotely, meaning that if they do need to replace a part or repair a boiler, they can arrive on-site with the equipment they need, rather than having to assess the boiler in one visit, order parts, then return at another date. Your boiler then gets back to peak performance sooner.
If your home or business is off the gas grid, you will be accustomed to a boiler that needs attention and input, at least in the form of an annual oil top-up. When you switch to a bioenergy boiler, it won’t then feel too unfamiliar, though fuel loading will be more frequent. You will also need to clear the boiler of ash to keep it running efficiently. Again, a sophisticated model like an ETA will alert you when that cleaning is required.
If you have a bioenergy boiler that lacks diagnostic capabilities or needs servicing, or you’d like to explore the possibility of installing an ETA boiler for your home or your business, our renewable energy experts are always happy to arrange a no-obligation chat. Our network of engineers covers the whole of the UK, so wherever you are in the country, one of our experts will be available to help. Call 01621 892613.
