Biomass slashes heating costs at holiday retreat
An award-winning holiday retreat in the Scottish Borders is enjoying substantial financial benefits from its biomass district-heating system supplied by Euroheat and fuelled by wood pellets. Before the system was installed, the farm and holiday cottages were heated by two kerosene boilers. Eildon Cottages in Melrose is a holiday destination comprising a converted 18th-century farmhouse and six self-catering cottages.
The new system uses 20 t of pellets a year, at a cost of £3600. In addition, payments from the Renewable Heat Incentive are £7367. Combined with the money saved on the previous fuel, the return is £11 067 a year.
The biomass heating system was installed by GreenHeat Renewables. It consists of a 65 kW HDG Compact pellet boiler and accumulator with thermostatic temperature control to ensure only the required amount of heat is produced.
Pellets are transported to the combustion chamber and automatically ignited. Self-activated cleaning and a large ash container minimise input from end users.
The boiler and hopper are built into an existing outhouse. Internal pipework transfers heated water to the cottages. A separate underground Rehau Rauthermex pre-insulated pipe carries heat to a heat exchanger in the main farmhouse.
