Back in 2015 we increased our holiday accommodation offering by conversion of The Granary. At this time we needed to upgrade our heating system and opted to move away from Oil by installing a biomass boiler. Gas or propane were both expensive and not possible due to our location.
At the time the shift to biomass was a big commitment, and required significant investment. Over time this investment would pay off the install was backed by a Renewable Heat Incentive meaning we would be paid for heat produced this initially covered fuel cost plus some however due to increased fuel costs the payback is less attractive.
In the last 2 years we have been fortunate to find a Local supplier of quality wood pellets, we get through around 20 tonnes of pellet each year and following the war in the Ukraine we became aware of some of the truth behind the carbon footprint behind Biomass. In the early days we were buying EN1 grade pellets these were sustainably sourced of so we thought. We found that pellets although detailed as European were in the main being exported by Russia through Europe, significantly adding to the carbon footprint of Sustainable Heating.
Finding SDL a local supplier just 20 miles from our farm delivered not only a better quality of pellet, the burn time is longer, the pellet to ash ratio is significantly less and the carbon deposits inside the boiler are significantly less. Add to this all of its wood is UK FSC sourced we are really pleased with our switch to a truly sustainable fuel source.
More information from SDL can be found herehttps://sdlpellets.co.uk/the-true-cost-of-wood-pellets/
In addition our hot water delivery pumps and Boiler run on our solar array which is now supported by a 10kw battery for night time operation.
For more information on staying on our family farm visit us here http://oaksbarnfarm.co.uk
