The benefits of biomass heating
• Although prices of wood as fuel are increasing, it is still more cost effective than other fuels. Prices of traditional fuels like oil and gas are steadily increasing. Biomass as a fuel would not see this trend. The prices are quite stable and you will not see a sharp rise in fuel cost.
• Reducing carbon footprint has become a catchword of modern life. You may think that burning biomass would produce carbon too. Here there is a difference. The carbon dioxide emitted in this case is same as what was absorbed by the plant over the months and years when it was growing. The process becomes sustainable if the new plants were planted in place of those used for fuel.
• Again manufacturing and transportation of fuel leads to carbon emissions. But if the fuel is sourced locally then the emission rates will be lower compared to fossil fuels. Over all biomass is cleaner fuel than its fossil counterparts. Biomass fuel releases contemporary carbon, whereas fossil fuel releases fossilized carbon. If you use biomass fuels such as pellets they tend to be smokeless.
• Moreover, rising demand of biomass, would lead to better woodland management. This will be congenial for wildlife and biodiversity. Wood, if left to rot would generate both carbon dioxide (CO2.) and methane. The latter is a harmful greenhouse gas that is 21 times more potent than CO2.
Cons of biomass
• Biomass boilers are more bulky than gas furnaces as they are larger. You will also more need to space to store the fuel as such as a hopper or wood store.
• The initial investment in installing a biomass boiler is more compared to gas and electric furnace.
• Biomass fuel should be dry to burn efficiently.