Wood Heating Grants

September 2007

Grants are available for 'automated' wood-fired equipment. This term includes 'batchfired' log boilers and wood pellet appliances, which have automated combustion control. Usually automated wood chip boilers are relevant to larger than domestic installations or 'district heating' schemes, where the boiler output is typically greater than 30 kW.

Within the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk, grants of up to £1,500 can be offered and within Objective One areas funding from the Wood Energy Business Scheme, tel. 01970 821219 www.woodenergybusiness.co.uk , can extend to 45% of the overall capital costs for commercial applications.

Some projects may fall into both categories, eg a house with outbuildings let for accomodation. In such cases the LCBP amount would be granted, but also subtracted from the amount granted by the WEBS scheme.

An extended scheme to possibly include all of Wales and further categories of applicant is expected to be announced shortly.

Domestic wood pellet installations typically cost from about £4,000 - £15,000 depending on size, type and complexity. Batch-fired log boilers can cost in the region of £10-15,000 for a complete installation including a 'thermal store' and flue system. The inclusion of a thermal store always improves efficiency and is a good way to combine solar input and other heat sources, such as a back-up boiler or electric immersion heaters. We will be pleased to discuss the provision of solar hot water options.

We have about four years experience of installing wood pellet heating systems and more information can be found at our website www.4wood-heating.co.uk. We now also offer log and wood chip systems from HDG Bavaria. Details can be viewed at www.euroheat.co.uk/HDG.htm