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[snow hope]

Interesting post Ken - thanks.

I would prefer a log boiler myself and have never been a fan of the wood pellet boiler. Even less so now considering this thread. I'll not mention it to my mate though.....
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The economic expansion was driven by financial capital as banks lent more than they had on deposit, confident that Tomorrow’s Economic Growth was collateral for To-day’s Debt. Dr. Colin Campbell.
And that was the fatal mistake. Me

[Mark S]

We think KCC might have abandoned the pellet type boilers scheme. Not quite sure why, will let you know.
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The future is in our hands

[PelHeat]

Hi Everyone

I’ve just read through the posts in the tread and I thought I would make a few points. Firstly wood pellet boilers may seem ‘new’ here in the UK, however in Sweden they are the most common form of heating. Some of the points raised are valid and others not so much.

We currently use a Tatano pellet boiler; you can see a video of the boiler operating here www.woodpelletmill.com. We have successful burnt a wide variety of pellets we have made in the boiler. Some pellets produce more ash than other and some form clinker formations similar to coal. The Tatano boiler can also burn logs and can have a gas or oil burner attached if required.

The main reason we are focused on pellets is we believe in more than just wood as a fuel, and to burn materials efficiently, densification is very important.

Every technology has its advantages and disadvantages, and with pellets fuel supply is the biggest issue. The market currently is in a ‘chicken and egg’ scenario. Large-scale pellet plants are very expensive to set-up, and many investors will not support a plant until there are local customers. However local people will not buy pellet stoves and boilers until there is a local supplier, so which comes first? This is one of the key reasons we are developing small-scale solutions to get the market moving.

No all stoves and boilers have the same abilities, and some are better suited for different situations. Before coming to conclusions on a technology that has been proven in countries outside of the UK, please keep an open mind and make educated decisions.
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Small Scale Biomass Pellet Production
www.pelheat.com

[emordnilap]

[tabithatabby]

we were mug enough to try to be 'green' and bought a wood pellet boiler. It has been a total disaster and very unreliable. It was very mis-sold by the suppliers, who said we could get a blown in supply - no you can't - and that there would be maintenance locally - no you can't.

I feel very very angry that we have been taken in by a very expensive complex product which is very unreliable.

I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

[kenneal - lagger]

[JohnB]

My experience of pellets cost me a lot of money, and almost destroyed a very good small company. It ended up nearly destroying me instead! And it was nothing to do with the Okofen I posted pictures of on the previous page.

My feeling from experience of commercial domestic renewable energy systems was, that although they have their place, they are too complex. I have my doubts about parts being available when they're really needed in the future, potentially making them useless when they're really needed.

I think the best investment is in passive solutions, such as insulation and airtightness, to reduce the need for energy. Then install simple easily repairable systems to provide the minimum possible heat requirements.
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John

Eco-Hamlets UK - Small sustainable neighbourhoods
Permaculture UK Forum

[kenneal - lagger]

[emordnilap]