Cloudhouse Café and Gallery wood fuel case study

Reasons for changing to woodfuel

Before being developed for its present use, the building was unoccupied and without heating. With no mains gas in the area, there was a strong impetus to find a financially viable means of heating the space.

The owners were also keen that the new heating system was sustainable. Biomass was considered the most suitable option given the geographic location and interior space.

System features and benefits

The wood pellet boiler is situated in the main café area. To make it an attractive feature, a model with a glass door was chosen so that the burning chamber can be seen.

The boiler runs a wet central heating system which includes domestic hot water and under floor heating. Under floor heating has several advantages:

• The large radiating area allows efficient heat retention
• Pipe work can have a lifespan of up to 100 years
• Under floor heating loops are practically maintenance-free if installed without any joints
• Energy savings of up to 40% can be achieved over traditional radiators

The small internal pellet store holds 1-2 days of pellets allowing the boiler to be positioned in rooms with limited space.

The performance of the system has been good and the owners are very satisfied. Key benefits are:

• Very economical solution for off gas mains areas
• Carbon lean technology preferred by owners
• Clean and easy fuel to handle
• Added value to customers and visitors

Wood fuel supply

The first deliveries of pellets came from Argentina and Ireland but the café now has a secure, local supply of good quality pellets.

Installation issues

The heating system was part of a larger process of building development with the only significant structural change being the provision of a flue. Consequently planning constraints were minimal.

Lessons learned

• Seek local fuel supply to maximise carbon savings
• Installation and ongoing service package should be arranged together
• Using an experienced wood fuel installer will help guarantee a good installation
• If repeating the project Cloud House Cafe would have installed radiators, since they find that when it is very cold it takes a long time for the Cafe to heat up through the floor

Facts and figures

Note from editor: When this woodfuel system was installed, the UK Government Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme did not exist. The RHI is now available and commercial woodfuel heating installations can receive payments based on metered heat produced for 20 years.

If this project were eligible for the RHI, it could generate up to £1,860 of income per year, based on the maximum biomass tariff of £0.086 per kWh, assuming the boiler is run at maximum capacity for 800 hours of the year, this income could be combined with any savings made over displacing fossil fuels to give a potentially very attractive payback period.

Projects installed pre July 2009, or that have received public grants for their boilers from other sources (unless they have paid them back) are not eligible for the RHI

Note: figures above and below are approximate

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