Living with a Biomass Pellet Boiler

[@retiringinfrance1495]

GREAT VIDEO! We were literrally prepareing to do an install on a pellet boiler, and this video changed my mind. It is not reasonable that we can haul 2 tons of pellets to our cellar a month.. and load and clean.. I watch your videos all the time and really appriciate the honest review.

[@rolfedrengen]

I don't think that's hard really. They usually come in managable bags, and it's only when it's really cold. Our (15kw) boiler use a little less than a ton in the coldest month. We fill it up once a week, and it takes around 15 minutes. The cleaning is irritating but takes less than 5 minutes a week. We have had some issues with some of the parts that gets worn out, but nothing we couldn't do ourselves (and we are not into DIY at all!) The worst thing is the proce after the war in Ukraine.

[@grumpyoldman336]

These are what i'm usually pulling out and installing propane or natural gas hi efficient closed loop systems to replace them. They seem to be very labor intensive and i wouldn't want to be getting into my 60 s and having to keep that unit running. Its a young persons game i think. They eat up to much space the size of it and then storage of all the pellets. Good video it was informative and honest.

[@Fractal227]

I got a wood pellet boiler installed December 2020 after the one that came with my house died (Rest In Peace) in the middle of the winter. I opted for a Windhager Biowin Lite and Verdo Heatlets pellets to support FSC forests (super quality) and i am super satisfied. And its very true that you appreciate your heat more when you see how 'money' is burned :D

[@chrisanderson8578]

Watched most of your videos now. This one was interesting but I couldn't live with such a system myself. Far too much hassle. I'd like to say I do better things with my time but you are waaaaaay more productive than I am. Keep the videos coming.

[@TheRestorationCouple]

It's a bit of a pain at times, but just part of daily life now. (plus with the cash incentives from the RHI we basically have free heating, which is a huge plus with this old house!)

[@chrisanderson8578]

+The Restoration Couple Yeah that incentive definitely makes it more easy to live with. We live in a 1930s Semi so could never quite justify something so huge. Your channel is a wealth of inspiration and ideas though. Even when some things aren't gonna be so relevant to me I enjoy watching them. Definitely realising the importance of energy efficiency. Costs are only going to rise.

[@daguardarenelsilenzio7744]

Lovely system, haven’t watch the whole video so I don’t know who installed it but whoever did done a very good job

[@janpospisilm]

Great video mate! East europe here - Czech Republic. Our pellets are top notch and we export them to whole Europe. There are however suppliers from even more eastern europe (Bulgaria, Serbia) that are terrible. They have no concept of quality.

[@demarestk]

Thanks a lot for this interesting video. Our oil burner/boiler is running on its last legs and we are considering a pellet burner/boiler.

[@IBuildItHome]

Great video and reality check on the work involved with the system.

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Thanks John! It has it's moments, but keeps the garage/workshop warm and great for drying out timber. :-)

[@deanjamesib]

Great video!! Really useful and constructive. Thanks for sharing your insight and experience!

[@JP-zp5ic]

A ton a month is way too much. Insulation is definitely your friend if you can find a way to fit some more in to your home's structure. I'm looking at this technology myself, but I want to use it in conjunction with a solar heating array and a very well insulated home. Thanks for putting this together and sharing.

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Insulation/draft proofing is always the best place to put your money. 👍 Not so straightforward on solid stone walls though.

[@davidrenton254]

Excellent honest warts and all long term review. Thanks a lot.

[@deanjohnson1711]

I had a bio mass heating system installed in my old flat from old storage heaters by the local council it's struggled really bad in winter and broke down lots and cost so much to run topping it every day no longer live in that property x

[@feehan84]

thank you for the detailed review. great to see the practicalities involved.

[@DJJames92]

Interesting stuff, raising the roof sounds exciting.

[@AliDymock]

Really looking forward to the workshop build

[@SimonHarbour]

Really interesting stuff. I hadn't actually heard of these!

[@michellemarie1197]

This is really good because i want to go off grid one day and i hate the thought of the only option is to use gas, it isnt safe, its basically an open flame and you would need a carbon monoxide detector and have to worry about leaks and it isnt renewable

[@MrSteewped]

Gas is extremely safe. Not sure where ur information comes from. You are more likely to burn from an electrical fire. Anything that burns would need a carbon monoxide detector.

[@ellis2792]

With today’s energy prices these are great and cost effective

[@glyntutt1586]

Your comment about getting the boiler to come on as little as possible, but as long as possible per cycle is crtical to any system, but as you say with solid fuel, mega imprortant. The heatstore could be a vented one, ans situated higher up in the house, I have such a system, but with a Okofen boiler. agree also that these boilers can be complicated, but like you, my installation is all controlled by the heatstore which makes the control a simple on and off. I also have a 6000kg store.

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Hi Glyn. How is your store set up, is it inside or external?

[@janwillem6953]

Any update on this? saw you removed it (spoiler). As we have no access to gas but do have access to a blowin pellet supplier I still want to know your ultimate reasoning for the switch...

[@paulrichter3081]

Really interesting series - funny watching your earlier videos and comparing how much more at ease your presentation is even the update video, well done. I was shocked when you said you can go through a hopper of fuel (47kg) during a bad winter day, what's that about £15? Mind you, I dread to think what our gas heating bill is on an equivalent day. Did you do any comparison figures between heating with a gas and biomass boiler over a longer period, say a year? 👍

[@PaulEastham]

cool vid! just bought a house in denmark. its an old school with over 500 m2. We have a pellet burner and its all very new to me :) we bought 4 pallets of 15klg bags. we seem to be going through abour 3-4 bags over the day and night. is that too much? did you say you turn it off during the warmer months ?

[@petermartin8856]

Hi there great video, we are currently moving to France and starting a barn conversion and was thinking a pellet boiler, I think I may of missed what you said but do you use the boiler for heating the water for shower and tuning taps? Or do you have something separate for that. Thank you

[@TheRestorationCouple]

It heates the large thermal store by the boiler. In turn that heats the radiators, UFH and also a separate 200l hot water tank in the house for our hot water. So yes, all off pellets. We turn boiler off in Summer so switch to immersion then. (solar in future)

[@aaronwiersum5474]

Love/ hate. Is spot on lol. Im currently burning cherry pits and wood pellets.

[@masurianwolf]

I really enjoying your movies and you are true man - father and husband who's taking care of his family - not so "trendy" these days - but... ( and it's only my point of view ) instead of "thinking green" shouldn't you rather consider the worse case scenario: what if something bad happens to me? - Whose gonna bring those wood pallets all the way for my wife and children? Whose going to feed the boiler? You choose that option probably 'cause you young and strong, and hope it's gonna stay like that all the way, but what if not? Seeing your efforts I'm strong believer you'll solve this problem - good luck Sir. Thank you for posting these videos.

[@po.mk.br.mk.yzfffffff]

Great video, tnx. How many sq meters you say is the house?

[@TheRestorationCouple]

250m2

[@naturesfinest6761]

Looking at one of these What size is it and have you had much trouble?? What’s broken on it in the time you have had it ?? Thanks

[@louisedelaney2520]

Amazing video and amazing system

[@vyshemirsky]

Can it be fuelled by coal? Something like anthracite grains seem to be more energy dense than wood pellets and might work out cheaper week on week.

[@jamesfeeney8847]

Do you still have this boiler installed? I'm counting the days until my RHI is complete and I can go back to oil. I hate my pellet boiler!

[@ramiro110679]

It’s legal too installed this boiler in new Fairfield Connecticut and how much money cost the boiler and installation please need help i spend 500 every mon in the winter

[@MySamOD]

What are the actual figures on this? how much does your heating cost over the course of a year?

[@noelkealey]

Thanks for sharing, would you recommend the bio mass boiler vs an air to water heat pump with vacuum tubes assuming space wasn't an issue?

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Heat pumps are great and easier and cleaner to install however in a large, relatively uninsulated property like ours they are perhaps not the best option. The water generated for heating is usually more efficient at lower temps which means either much bigger radiators or ideally underfloor heating. Nether of these were an option for us to do throughout the whole house so biomass suited better as it produces hot water at the same sort of temps as a conventional boiler. So if you are in a well insulated home and/or UFH then I would say ASHP. I think there are still RHI payments available too but they are decreasing all the time. The end goal for us is biomass for 1/2 the year and then solar thermal for our hot water throughout the summer, we have a coil in the cylinder ready for it, just no roof to put panels on yet!

[@noelkealey]

Thanks for the feedback, our goal is similar, replace the suspended floor with UFH and use an air to water heat source for 6 mths and solar thermal for 6 mths for the hot water. In theory it's a great option but time will tell! We're in Dublin so not sure about the government grants! Love the channels and the Galway t-shirt in the last vid!!!

[@user-mj6sl9qv8j]

is there a reason you cant get them piped in from a big truck? of course need a purpose designed pellet store - but lot lower cost and no plastic

[@lauraceraso6205]

in US, I get mine delivered by a truck, they hose 3 tons into an exterior silo, no filling needed,.(.Windhammer ) on my first year, pellet prices have gone up. (a single old kinda drafty home,..)

[@misssweetpea24]

Hi, if you turn it off in the the summer, how do you get hot water

[@jamesbogart]

You haven't thought this out well have you ? You don't have access to deliver the fuel . If you want to sell the property try and explain wheeling in the bags on a sack trolly 🤩. Imagine the hassle as you get older !

[@mixtep95]

Just wanted to ask you, if you had some problems with some black liquid tarr oozing out of the boiler ?

[@lukearmstrong-foxton2926]

If your struggling with black ooz it can sometimes be something as simple as your pellets gathering moisture.

[@D_pawson]

That flue looks very dangerous, flue liners should line flues not left dangling in free air, shouldn't it be twin wall into the chimney. Is the liner ok to use for condensing appliances. Looks a neat job with the mapress gear and unistrut

[@kenthomson9562]

Can I have some popcorn when it’s finished please?

[@ermining1]

how does the whole green thing work with the quantity of plastic on these pellets!!

[@onemanfran]

My thoughts exactly. I know that some wood pellet manufacturers have recyclable bags but not all councils accept them, so I'm sure most people throw them in the bin.

[@stephenrichards871]

I was thinking of installing a pellet boiler but at a running costs of £80 a week in pellets you’d have to be a rich environmentalists to afford that. BTW the installation of that wiring is the worst I’ve ever seen for a professional install. I’m amazed that was signed off!!

[@misssweetpea24]

I went to empty the ash tray in my biomass and I found half burnt full wood pellets, do you have any ideas what the problem might be.

[@Fractal227]

Where the heat comes from when the boiler turns on maybe have blocked holes, so there is a cold spot within the burning chamber. Take a screw driver and unblock the holes if such are blocked.

[@misssweetpea24]

@@Fractal227 Thank you, unblocked the holes and hoovered but then the igniter went (second in a year) it’s seven years old and came with the house. We’ve decided to auction it on ebay and have an oil system fitted.

[@rob121212blue]

Is there a way you could make the pellets or a substitute for the pellets yourself out of materials and saw dust to help keep the cost down? Maybe taking a day completely going at it to help add in over the year or so??

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Unfortunately not. I am sure you could buy the machinery to make your own however I am unlikely to produce anyway near enough, even if I planed non stop for a month! Also for us to receive our renewable incentive payments we must use a certified pellet. It is possible to have a log version of this setup which could be self fueled.

[@rob121212blue]

The Restoration Couple that's a shame! In places like B&Q that have a timber cutting service, they have a large bin which collects all the sawdust, instead of them having to pay to have it sent off.. a bag to someone now and again would lower their costs and probably help you out lol

[@stevecraft00]

rob121212blue I'm fairly sure b&q will have a place to send sawdust that will either take it free or pay b&q for it. As you say it's possible to make stuff from it. Most companies these days have somewhere to send waste cheaply, free or get paid for it. For example where I work cardboard and plastic wrap is sold on in big pallets. Food waste is taken for free to an anaerobic digester to make energy. And dry recyclables I believe also change hands for minimal cost to the business.

[@virgojwy2024]

What are you heating and the amount of volume?

[@tifosansan]

Thanks for video!

[@georgevue8175]

Fast forward to 2022 & heating fuel oil is approaching $7.00/gal here on Cape Cod. $7/gal = Pure PAIN.

[@BFitz1976]

Great T shirt

[@abhainnbeag]

great video , great t-Shirt

What is the max the temperature it can reach?

[@onlyscience7120]

Passive houses can be heated with an 2 hair dryers, some houses need to be tear down.

[@kevindownes2118]

How much does it cost per month in pellets ?

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Depends on how big your house is. For a big old solid walled house like ours, nearly £200 mid winter! That is around the same if not slightly less than oil. If you know your annual heat demand you should be able to estimate it fairly well. As a very rough guide it is somewhere between gas and oil in costs.

[@chessmasterstream8953]

fuuuck yeah nice video man! I am looking for something similar.. But damn its freakin expensive... Maybe i should make one myself? I kinda know welding... I just su#k at electronics...

[@meixizhang9373]

really cool info:>

[@seancrowe3353]

Sorry, did you say the built in hopper takes 16 or 60kg? Sounded like 60 but then you said three add-on hopper would last a week. Thanks

[@TheRestorationCouple]

I think it was closer to 100kg I when fully loaded with hopper. That would be a week, or less in winter.

[@seancrowe3353]

@@TheRestorationCouple thanks, but without the add-on hopper it's 16kg?

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Sean Crowe no more like 40 I think. You should be able to find the specs online.

[@seancrowe3353]

@@TheRestorationCouple OK cheers mate. Loving the channel!

[@stacieodstacieod9555]

How old is your home? My house was build in 1959.

[@TheRestorationCouple]

1905 ish.

[@zedman442]

Clever simple system, however I don't really agree with C02 savings. Personally it wouldn't be a big enough justification for me to go for a so called 'green' energy boiler. Anything combustible couldn't be called green really. Natural gas would be more cleaner I'd imagine. But I guess it works for you, it's a shame there isn't much support for it in the U.K.

[@TheRestorationCouple]

C02 savings are per year and based on the old oil boiler we took out, but of course burning wood is contributing far less CO2 than a fossil fuel. Even without the 'green' side of things the RHI was enough of a reason to switch for us, at the time it was very attractive however it soon dropped like PV. Lots of pellets being produced here so it is growing in the UK, just not suited to every property, more suited to commercial scale I think.

[@wjp255]

Great video. Thank you.

[@lennyrossa834]

Interesting the video, ps love the t-shirt

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Funny that tshirt gets more love than the videos themselves!

[@lennyrossa834]

The Restoration Couple well,take pride in fact that your videos are helping someone,im ordering a sip half inch router and vgroove bit to do wall panels. 3 foot by 8 long. Far cheaper than panels I was looking at, like panels u did understairs in ireland are 14euro each where I live

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Good stuff. I have used that technique lots and will do so in our van conversion too I think. Intending to make a new jig/sled to run the router in for it. I usually use a straightedge but it can wonder a tiny bit if not careful so planning to make a melamine track the router runs in with slot for the bit.

that tank is called accumulator

[@boogeymanXYZ]

1 tone of pellet cost 200 Pounds, and you say it last you for a month. It is pretty expensive comapring to GAS where having EPC F I was paying 100 for gas and it was 23 degrees non stop

[@TheRestorationCouple]

EPC F doesn't give any info on heat demand, it could be a single room or 40 bed house? Pellets work out similar to oil that was here before although a greener option and also paid for by RHI.

[@muzman777]

Is your time away from your girls really worth it? I appreciate your green credentials, absolutely need more people thinking that way; but, for me, your time is precious and your girls grow quickly. I hope you find a new quicker and more time efficient way for it to work for you. Fascinating video .

[@TheRestorationCouple]

It is probably not quite so much of a burden as it appears. I am very blessed to work from home so am around the family most of the day so 5 minutes in the garage every couple of days is no problem. Plus moving the deliveries is cheaper than a gym membership! In the future things will be somewhat more streamlined so easy for anyone to manage.

[@muzman777]

Did not realise you worked from home. Can I ask you what you do 'professionally'? Certainly keep you fit brother. Then 5 mins away from a house full of girls is probably much needed each day. lol.

[@TheRestorationCouple]

muzman777 photographer by day. So most time spent at a screen when not distracted by diy!

[@DukeofDave]

Its called an Archimedes screw :-)

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Yep, same thing. Just seems to be known as an augur in the biomass industry.

[@andydunn5673]

The Restoration Couple that’s what I would call it with aggregate or dry stuff like wood

[@stevep2237]

Archimedes continues to be the cleverest guy in the room ;-O

[@OwenC1]

I know you said this setup was about going green, but in reality this is a whole lot worse for the Environment than having a home oil/diesel (same thing) system

[@pumpkinhead456]

I'd be interested to hear why you think that is?

[@OwenC1]

pumpkinhead456 According to the UN environmental survey, burning wood (pellets, logs, shreds, etc) releases 0.39 kgCO2/kWh. While burning Diesel releases 0.22 kgCO2/kWh. Not to mention the deforestation needed

[@terrancemoore8756]

what is that popping sound as he's talking??? Sounds like its hailing...

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Yep. Just rain on the old roof. 🙄

[@northwoodsliving101]

omg the water dripping sound is so annoooyyyyiinnnnggggg

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Yep, spent two days in there with that going on before I could fix gutters!

[@jamesshanks2614]

Mother Nature at work. Better to listen to the water/rain dripping than be in a drought condition. If you have a garden get a 275 gallon plastic water tank built within a steel pallet 40x48 inches. 6 inch fill cap on top and a 2 inch gravity release at the bottom with a plastic cleanable ball valve. Food you grow in a garden dislike the chemicals added by public water systems they much prefer ordinary rainwater for better growing performance. Cheers!

[@oldbladderhorn949]

how much a month is the cost of heating your home with this system, are you really saving anything or is it just the thought of the green neutrality (ego trip). And what happens when something becomes worn out and needs replacing can that be done by your-self or is it strictly a costly hetas engineer job every time. or are you very wealthy with a super solid job. to my eye's this is like a look at how the rich man thinks about things, WE just throw money at it, And it('ll) goes away. but we're carbon neutral ? weeeee 👍 good video 👍 all that popping sound at the beginning thought it was the boiler spitting and pinging. not jealous or envious, never. just. 'poor'. but not as poor as that young fella asleep on the park bench i pass him most every day this 'll be the third year he's been there that's what i've been told.

[@actiongirl5]

Having just watched this video with much interest having never seen such a system installed before I just wanted to know what are your thoughts on an recent article by the BBC stating that "Most wood energy schemes are a 'disaster' for climate change" There is particular reference and discussion about biomass and that there are according to the article there is a lot of CO2 that is not accounted for in EU policy. www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39053678

[@TheRestorationCouple]

An interesting read. While it seems to refer to power stations more rather than boilers it shines a light on potential issues. We have always tried to use uk pellets of which most seem to use waste material from the timber industry. This seems far more sustainable than harvesting trees purely for biomass. The ideal is solar, wind, etc but tricky to utilise it as a fuel source in older homes.

[@actiongirl5]

It is indeed more aimed at countries that use this biomass method to produce energy but still highly relevant to the individual who like to do their part for the environment but on a smaller scale. Any UK based product does save on the carbon footprint but like you say in your vlog cost does play a factor which I presume can mean sourcing the pellets from the rest of EU. The mass amount of Verdo pellets that you show in your vlog are sourced from the UK but are produced from virgin timber which comes from ancient woodland, so from what I know it does appear UK trees are being harvested for the biomass market. I live in area of Yorkshire where many homes that are older than yours have solar panels and utilise this energy relatively easily. I suppose for such a long term investment some research and upfront serious funding is required. However I would imagine this setup would pay for itself over time and you would get that genuine fuzzy warm feeling that you are helping the environment. I am not knocking your choice to go with biomass by any means and you have your reasons for deciding to go for this method of producing energy for your home. I just really struggle to see the real benefit of homeowners burning any type of fuel these days with all the technological advances and ECO alternatives we have it feels somewhat unnecessarily primitive or antiquated. For those that live off the grid I can understand the need to utilise wood in this way or for wood burners, open fires etc but for the rest of us there are better options. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my comment.

[@TheRestorationCouple]

+mandyram solar power is fine for electricity and possibly hot water at times however there is no way that domestic solar panels in the U.K can heat a home that is not super insulated. With a heating demand of 30,000-40,000 kWh there needs to be 'combustion' of some sort, it therefore leaves gas, oil or wood. All of which clearly gave their downsides. Insulation and lifestyle are really the most effective things that can be done in older homes.

[@actiongirl5]

The mention of solar panels was just an example of a way to obtain energy in full/part to power a home instead of burning wood or to reduce the amount of wood required. There are a lot factor and variables that need to be considered for these to function and work well as a source or energy in a home. There are options out there for energy production and you have gone with something you feel is the best option for you and your home. However I have concerns and reservations as I am sure many people do over burning wood which is not as carbon neutral as first thought, taking all processes into account. There is now government uncertainty of the impact on the environment or on peoples health from air born particles/chemicals that are released from more homes burning wood for domestic energy in residential areas. I am certainly with you on that one, insulation that is sympathetic to an older build and changing the way you live in your property can make a huge difference in the amount of energy we consume and ultimately the amount of energy you need for your home.

[@douglaspohl1827]

A ton a month is excessive... insulate your home!

[@Liam....]

would have been better off with gas. cheaper install cheaper to run dont take up half a room and you dont have to spend hours cleaning and moving bags of wood pellets about. a log burner heating system would have been the easier green option. think you have made an expensive mistake

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Yes gas cheaper and easier. With our large heat demand log burners would not be enough unless in all 8 fireplaces so ours are just supplementary. Plus the RHI has made it worth it financially and therefore a big saving over gas in the end.

[@felixguerrero6062]

This comment didn't age well 👌

[@Liam....]

@@felixguerrero6062 still pretty sure it would be cheaper and easier to run gas and maintain even with the price hikes.

[@felixguerrero6062]

@@Liam.... In 5 years, gas prices in the UK have increased 5x. It definitely wouldn't be cheaper anymore, but of course gas would be far less hassle than his pellet system.

[@Liam....]

@@felixguerrero6062 a multifuel stove with a back boiler would be the best option in my opinion, if you are prepared to put in abit of work you could run one for next to nothing, they are more hassle than gas though. Plus the price of bio mass pellets will go up as gas goes up.

[@ZS6JMP]

Sounds expensive and a pain in the arse.

[@TheMHGuild]

If you are off of the grid, it could come in clutch if you have limited access to gas.

[@MindCrime550]

Sounds like you're losing tons of potential energy on your roof.

[@sixthltz400]

What part of the world are u living in as would like to see it

[@kenthomson9562]

If you listened to his accent you’d work out that there’s the greatest possibility he lives in England.

[@jacquelinebrunder2384]

As with all of these renewables rich people are being subsided by taxes paid by poor people.

[@славалюбченко-д5э]

Вчорашній день...

[@Random-rt5ec]

2022 Boston, MA - Sleepy Joe Biden has heating oil @ $5.00/gal & rising fast. Meanwhile pellets have remained the same price & my pellet stove has turned into the best investment ever. My communist run city has made pellets stoves/boilers illegal so I had to install mine in the dark of the night. With this I heat my home for the whole season for less than what it cost someone with natural gas or oil heat for just one month.

[@ranstxx]

I couldnt be bothered with all that

[@itspart]

It's as green as red paint! 🤣🤣🤣 I'll stick with my bio oil boiler thanks! So much better than that crap....

[@ianpotter7174]

forget that haha

[@Najmepolevati]

Jesus, people you are so lazy! Move to Bahamas during winter so you dont need boilers for heating. Bla bla bla,hevy,bla bla dusty, bla bla cleaning. Grown up, its life...

[@garymakowski5378]

Bad video very noisey