In our previous articles, we explored how Ranheat WA systems support year-round MDF dust and wood waste disposal, and how Ranheat’s hot water boilers paired with Enogia’s Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) modules allow that disposal energy to be used to generate electricity.
But is this right for your business?
For many joinery workshops and woodworking factories, choosing between a cost-effective warm air heater (WA system) or a higher-capital-cost hot water biomass boiler with an ORC is a matter of scale, investment timeline, and business goals. This article will help you weigh the key considerations.
An ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) system captures heat from a biomass boiler and converts it into usable electricity. When paired with a Ranheat MSU or Danstoker M Series boiler, it allows businesses to not only safely dispose of wood waste like MDF and fire-retardant panels—but also turn that thermal energy into a revenue-generating power source.
Customers typically start with a simple goal: dispose of wood waste cleanly, legally, and with minimal hassle. Ranheat’s WA systems remain the most capital-efficient route to achieve this, especially when the goal is pure disposal and space heating.
But for businesses with growing waste volumes—or a desire to reduce electricity costs and carbon footprint—integrating a boiler and ORC starts to make serious sense. You’re no longer just burning for disposal. You’re extracting value.
When it comes to ORC feasibility, scale is an important consideration. But it’s not just about the numbers—your goals, values, and long-term vision also matter.
Less than 5 tonnes/week:
At this scale, a typical return on investment (ROI) may extend beyond 5 years, especially if electricity prices are modest.
However, for businesses that value sustainability, want to demonstrate a strong environmental ethos, or simply want to future-proof their energy strategy, an ORC can still be a smart choice.
It’s a longer-term investment, but one that aligns well with corporate responsibility goals and branding around renewable energy leadership.
5–10 tonnes/week:
This range represents a strong balance of capital cost and return.
ROIs typically fall in the 3–5 year range, making it a compelling choice for many joinery, furniture, and panel processing operations.
You benefit from efficient waste disposal while also offsetting a significant portion of your electricity consumption.
More than 10 tonnes/week:
A clear win. At this level of waste generation, ORC integration almost always delivers excellent results.
In fact, the power output can often justify investing in a new boiler—sized and configured to maximise heat recovery and system efficiency.
This approach transforms your biomass system into a genuine energy centre, delivering heat, compliance, and electricity in one integrated solution.
A Ranheat biomass boiler combined with an Enogia ORC is not a short-term play. It’s a 20+ year investment in your facility’s energy infrastructure. Unlike fossil-fuelled generators or air systems with frequent maintenance or upgrades, these systems are designed for longevity—with Ranheat offering support, parts, and service for the lifetime of the unit.
By shifting from simply burning waste to generating power from it, you’re creating an asset that continues to deliver value well beyond typical payback periods.
There are still situations where a WA system is the most pragmatic solution. For businesses with very limited wood waste, tight capital budgets, or needing to avoid permitting complications, a warm air burner offers simplicity, low maintenance, and great disposal capability.
If you’re producing MDF dust or fire-retardant waste, Ranheat’s WA systems—with integrated winter/summer diverters—allow for safe and controlled burn-off with automatic air discharge outside the factory in summer.
This article builds on our earlier piece:
👉 Managing Wood Waste Disposal with Ranheat Systems: Summer Operation and Beyond
In that article, we explained how thermal disposal of wood waste—especially MDF and fire-retardant—requires care. ORC systems allow you to put that disposal energy to good use. It’s the next step up in energy recovery.
ORC systems are a powerful tool—but they’re not one-size-fits-all. If you’re burning wood waste just to get rid of it, a warm air system may be the most direct route. But if you’re generating 5+ tonnes of waste per week, have long-term operational stability, and want to offset electricity costs or emissions, then pairing a Ranheat boiler with an Enogia ORC might be exactly what your business needs.
📞 Ready to explore ORC feasibility for your factory?
Talk to Ranheat about how our boiler and power generation systems can turn your waste into an asset.
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 www.ranheat.com
