How does biomass generate heat?

Biomass heaters generate heat by burning fuel material in a combustion chamber and outputting the resulting heat into a home heating system.

How much does a biomass heating system cost?

The cost of a biomass heater depends on the system type and size of the space that needs heating. A small and efficient manual-feed wood stove can cost $1,500 at the low-end, while a central-heating pellet stove boiler for a 4-bedroom home costs upwards of $14,000 to install.

Are biomass boilers expensive to operate?

The ongoing fuel cost of biomass heaters varies greatly, depending on the type of biomass and your access to affordable, local biomass. A rural home with an efficient system and affordable and reliable access to crop or forest biomass could see a lower fuel bill compared to gas, electricity, and oil.

Is biomass heating bad for your air quality?

A modern, efficient wood stove can release as little as 2g of airborne particles per hour, whereas older models released upwards of 30g/hr. Look for EPA Certified units that are guaranteed to emit less than 7.5g/hour. Ensure that the installation of the heater and its exhaust system is safe and prevents leakage of hazardous combustion gases in your home. The fuel source must also be clean and dry for effective and clean combustion.

In-Depth Product Guide

Biomass Heater

FAQs

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Biomass heaters use solid plant or animal-derived material for combustion to heat a home.

Biomass heating solutions include wood stoves and pellet stoves, and also stoves fueled with other less common materials like corn, rice husks, sugar cane stalks, animal dung, and other dry or solid carbon-based materials. Biomass heaters come in a variety of forms including masonry heaters, rocket stoves, and regular stoves.

Biomass heaters can be very sustainable, especially by making use of renewable fuels from local sources or waste streams. Some biomass heaters are very efficient, like rocket stoves and masonry heaters.

Millions of tonnes of rice husk fuel are produced from rice milling operations in Cambodia and the Philippines. These rice husks, formerly a waste material that was often burned or dumped in landfills, are now used by thousands of households as fuel in clean-burning stoves.

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