99. Cheaper than chips

I have been writing an article on our wood boiler, and trying very hard to interest a weekend broadsheet. No luck at the moment. Below is the synopsis. If anyone wants to read the article please email me. Better still, if anyone has any contacts...


Cheaper than chips - synopsis

Signing up for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) has meant that it is now more cost-effective for James Ellson to have his heating ON rather than OFF.

Background to RHI

As part of its Renewable Energy Strategy, the government is funding the RHI to increase the uptake of renewable heat technologies including biomass (wood), solar thermal, bio-methane and ground source heat pumps. RHI will contribute to the target (set under the 2009 EU Energy Directive) of 15% of total UK energy consumption being generated by renewable sources by 2020.

Phase I of the scheme was rolled out in 2011 solely for non-domestic users, but is due to be extended to domestic users in the Summer of 2013. With less than £3 million of the £850 million RHI budget spent to date, changing heating systems could be set to take off.

It is our experience, both economically and practically, that it should.

Farlands experience

Nestling just inside the Peak District National Park, Farlands is a large nineteenth century house and holiday cottage. This article would examine our decision to replace its two oil-fuelled heating systems with a single biomass boiler, and choosing wood pellets as its fuel instead of wood chips or logs. It would look at our personal experience of RHI accreditation, the cost-effectiveness of the first six months, and the radical transformation of the living experience. Incredibly it is now more economically rational to have our heating ON rather than OFF.

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