There is a wide variety of wood burning devices on the market. These range from the traditional log burning stove to multi megawatt heat and electric energy producing boilers with sophisticated control systems. We can assist you in making your choice from this range of equipment, our details are on the contact page.

As a general rule the simpler, less expensive units require more supervision and intervention by the owner. While more sophisticated equipment automatically takes care of more functions.

It is vitally important that you ensure the stove or boiler is properly matched to your energy needs.

Wood Chip boilers
These boilers occupy the medium to very large power output sector.
They are designed to be housed in a dedicated boiler room with an adjacent fuel store. Fuel is moved from the bottom of the store to the boiler stoker by means of a screw auger which is controlled by the heat demand. Occasionally chips can lock together forming a bridge when fuel is removed by the auger, to prevent this from happening a rotary arm is mounted above the auger infeed. By moving slowly through the base of the chip pile the arm ensures that fuel flows into the auger whenever it is required.
The need for this equipment and the lower density of wood chips means that a larger store is required than with pellet so as to accommodate sufficient fuel to provide appropriate endurance for the boiler.
There are normally two stages of auger feed to the fire box. The primary auger transports the chips from the store and through an airlock or safety box into the stoker auger. This is intended to prevent any burn back of the fire into the main fuel storage area. Controlled by the central processing unit the stoker auger feeds fuel into the fire box. This auger is equipped with a water pipe sealed by a fusible plug which melts and releases a flow of water if the auger temperature rises. This floods the fuel infeed and extinguishes any burn back.
Control of ignition, fuel type, burning times, temperature and ash removal is all managed by instructions programmed into the control system and which can be remotely monitored if required.
Although wood chips are less susceptible to degradation from water, it is important to keep the fuel dry to ensure efficient combustion.
Wood chip boilers are often used in conjunction with heat accumulators which allow the boiler to work more efficiently by operating for longer, less frequent burn times. Peaks in the heat load such as domestic hot water demands for baths and simultaneous heating can be met very well by using accumulators.
As a general rule wood chip fuel works most effectively in medium to large boilers with bigger units providing better overall efficiency. Larger boilers are also more tolerant of variations in fuel quality and dimensions.
Small boilers have recently been developed in the range which are claimed to work reliably with wood chips. It is understood that these boilers require smaller than usual fuel chips with a very limited size spectrum. No information on the performance of these boilers is available it will be added to the website in due course.

Combined heat and power boilers
These boilers only operate effectively on a large industrial scale. Only 20% of the output is produced as electricity and it is essential that a market be found for the 80% heat energy if the boiler is to work cost effectively.