Servicing and maintaining your biomass boiler is vital to achieve optimal performance and keep costs under control. In this guide, we explain why, and what to expect during a service.
Biomass boilers, like all other heat systems, need to be serviced and maintained regularly. Ideally this takes place at least once a year as per the manufacturer’s instructions, although it does also depend on the run hours of the boiler.
Some of the main reasons for biomass boiler owners to service and maintain their systems include safety, heat efficiency, air quality and emissions, fuel use and efficiency, cost control, longevity of the installation and to maintain the manufacturer's warranty.
In this guide, we will go through what to expect from a typical biomass service, advice on fuel store and ash management, and what you need to know about biomass servicing in relation to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
We have also provided this information as a useful download, available at the end of this guide.
Biomass boiler service and maintenance checklist
During a typical service, some of the following items are examples of what should be checked by an engineer, but this is entirely dependent on the manufacturer’s guidelines, which we recommend you familiarise yourself with:
Safety items in the plant room
Includes adequate ventilation, carbon monoxide alarms and general tidiness and cleanliness of the plant room. Any combustible items will be checked as they should not be stored near the boiler.
Boiler inspection
Inspection includes items such as the combustion chamber, refractory lining, grate operation and condition, boiler pressure, safety valves and safety interlocks, ash system, ignition system, temperature sensors.
Fuel feed system
This will check items such as the conditionof the gearbox and motors, day hopper, and aspirators
Water quality
A local water sample should be taken to check the pH reading. Further samples can be taken off site and sent for laboratory testing.
Flue sweeping
This should be carried at least once a year, in line with the boiler service, to maintain correct combustion values. HETAS and the National Association of Chimney Sweeps lists out qualified operatives.
Fuel store/Ash management
Whilst not necessarily always part of the service, fuel store management is just as important to an efficient biomass system as the boiler itself. Reasons for this include:
1. Storage and rotation of woodchip or pellets
If woodchip or pellets are not kept in a sealed, dry environment then this can lead to blockages, poor combustion, and build-up of tar inside the boiler.
2. Cleaning of the fuel storage area
This allows the old fuel that can build up around the edges to be mixed in with a newer delivery. Removal of old fuel is sometimes necessary dependant on condition
3. Cleandown of dust
Dust build up in the fuel store can cause issues with boiler efficiency so it needs to be removed.
4. Ash removal
The ash needs to be removed from the ash bin on a regular basis. Some boiler systems indicate when to empty the bin, others need to be done based on usage. Ash can be disposed of in normal waste streams.
Don’t forget, service and maintenance is an obligation of the Renewable Heat Incentive
Since the inception of the Renewable HeatIncentive (RHI) scheme in 2011, biomass boiler installations increased significantly in the UK. Specifically, under the Non-Domestic RHI between 2011 and 2021 there were 17,971 accredited full applications using biomass technologies with a total capacity of over 4.7MW.
Although the Non-Domestic RHI closed to final extension applications on 31st March 2023, approved boilers can still receive RHI payments. They must also adhere to strict compliance with Ofgem’s regulation of the scheme (see below for our handy 8 step RHI compliance checklist).
If your biomass boiler system is registered with the Non-Domestic RHI scheme, then maintaining it is not only advisable, but also a legal requirement. To remain compliant, biomass boilers must be serviced by a HETAS registered engineer, which can be found listed on the HETAS Approved Biomass Maintenance Scheme (HABMS). Ofgem has the right to audit your system and maintenance records at any time - for more information, we recommend visiting the HETAS website.
Rely on Reheat to support you with your biomass service and maintenance requirements
Reheat has a team of HETAS approved specialists engineers dedicated to biomass service and maintenance, from smaller kilowatt to multi-megawatt scale systems. We also have years of experience in renewable heat system installation, heat supply, and optimisation, with clients across the UK. We also provide renewable heat consultancy, including substantial knowledge of the RHI – helping clients to access the scheme and remain compliant.
If you require biomass service and maintenance support or you are just starting out on your renewable heat journey, don't hesitate to contact our friendly customer care team. You can also head over to our Service and Maintance page for more about the services we offer.
