MCS Certified Biomass Installers UK

The main types are wood pellet boilers, wood chip boilers, and log gasification boilers. Pellet boilers are the most popular for residential use because they are automated — pellets are fed from a hopper to the burner automatically. Wood chip boilers are more common in larger or commercial properties. Log boilers are cheapest but require manual loading. Popular brands in the UK include Fröling, Windhager, Grant, and ÖkoFEN.

A residential wood pellet boiler typically costs £10,000–£16,000 installed, including the boiler, flue, pellet store, and commissioning. After the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, the net cost is usually £2,500–£8,500. Costs vary depending on the boiler brand, output capacity, and whether you need a new fuel store built. Wood chip systems are more expensive but have lower fuel costs.

Pellet boilers need a dry, covered storage area for bulk pellet deliveries. A typical home uses 3–6 tonnes of pellets per year. You need either a dedicated pellet store (a small room or external hopper) or a fabric silo that can be placed in a garage or shed. The store should be within reach of the delivery truck’s blowing hose (typically up to 30 metres). Your installer should design the fuel storage as part of the system.

Biomass fuel (wood pellets) typically costs 20–30% less per kWh than heating oil and is comparable to natural gas. A tonne of wood pellets costs approximately £250–£350 delivered. Biomass is considered carbon-neutral because the CO₂ released when burning was absorbed during tree growth. Maintenance is higher than gas — biomass boilers need ash removal (weekly to monthly) and an annual service.