Biomass boilers have become a popular heating solution for commercial and industrial applications in the UK, offering a sustainable and cost-effective way to meet energy and heating needs. However, maintaining these complex systems is crucial to ensure they operate efficiently and safely.
This blog explores the cost factors associated with biomass boiler servicing, covering routine maintenance, safety checks, efficiency optimisation, and strategies to minimise servicing costs. Whether you have a Ranheat WA 150, MSU 300, or a large-scale biomass boiler, understanding servicing requirements will help your business reduce downtime, optimise fuel efficiency, and remain compliant with UK environmental regulations.
Biomass boilers have become a popular heating solution for commercial and industrial applications in the UK, offering a sustainable and cost-effective way to meet energy and heating needs. However, maintaining these complex systems is crucial to ensure they operate efficiently and safely. This is why understanding biomass boiler servicing costs is essential for businesses looking to optimise their heating solutions while minimising costs.
Routine maintenance is essential to keep commercial and industrial biomass boilers running smoothly and efficiently. It includes several key tasks:
Regular cleaning and inspection of the boiler are vital to prevent ash build-up and ensure the system operates efficiently. This involves cleaning the combustion chamber and flue pipes. An inspection checks for any signs of leaks, corrosion, or damage that could compromise the boiler’s performance.
The moving parts of a biomass boiler, such as fans and pumps, require lubrication to reduce friction and wear. Proper lubrication ensures these components function correctly and have a longer lifespan.
This is a bearing for a Ranheat Industrial Wood Waste Boiler screw conveyor. The grease nipple is shown at the bottom.
You would use a grease pump to lubricate the bearing. Careful, some bearings have seals. If too much grease is introduced, these seals can break, resulting in poor performance.
Every bearing is different. Consult the manual of the machine and the bearing before performing any maintenance.
Over time, the components of a biomass boiler can wear out. Routine checks for wear and tear help identify parts that need replacement before they fail, preventing unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs.
Fire chambers will have a mild steel substructure, covered in wear parts. These wear parts can be ceramic based refractory linings or be cast iron, chromium, tungsten molybdenum parts designed for regular replacement.
Ceramics and exotics metals are resistant to oxidation, unlike mild steel, which will oxidise and delaminate and undergo thermal expansion. Thermal expansion can cause the destruction of other ceramic parts in the fire chamber as intense heat can cause metal to expand more than the remaining ceramic, causing them to crack.
Ensuring the safety of a biomass boiler is vital. Safety checks generally include:
Safety valves and controls must be tested regularly to ensure they operate correctly. These components prevent dangerous pressure build-ups and ensure the boiler shuts down safely in case of a malfunction.
Automatic sprinkler valves in stoker needs to be tested each year. Automatic pressure relief valves are tested during manufacturing. They can start to leak if they are tested regularly and this is not advisable. Always consult the manual of the machine or the specific pressure valve.
The flue system must be checked for blockages and leaks to ensure proper ventilation. Emission checks are also necessary to ensure the boiler meets UK environmental standards and operates efficiently.
Olfactory and visual testing should be done each day for an industrial biomass boiler, but all biomass systems need to be monitored regularly. Same if you start getting strange smells and black smoke from a gas boiler.
Optimising the efficiency of an industrial biomass boiler can lead to significant savings in the long run.
Regularly adjusting the boiler’s settings ensures it operates at peak efficiency, reducing fuel consumption.
Sensors and controls must be calibrated to ensure accurate readings and optimal boiler performance. Incorrect calibration can lead to inefficient operation and higher running costs.
Biomass boilers have several consumable parts that need regular replacement, such as ash bins, gaskets, and seals. Keeping these parts in good condition is vital for the boiler’s overall performance and longevity.
Several factors can dictate biomass boiler servicing costs. They include:
Larger and more complex biomass boilers generally require more time and expertise to service, leading to higher costs. The type of biomass fuel used can also affect servicing requirements and fees. This is why it is advantageous to install a biomass boiler that runs on wood waste generated in-house. By using your own wood waste, you can significantly reduce fuel costs and waste disposal fees, create a consistent and reliable fuel source, and enhance the sustainability of your operations. This integration not only lowers operational costs but also simplifies maintenance and optimises boiler efficiency.
Regular boiler servicing can help prevent major issues and reduce overall costs. However, more frequent servicing may increase the annual maintenance expenses. Balancing the frequency of servicing with the boiler’s usage and condition is essential.
The cost of servicing can vary depending on the geographic location. In some areas, service providers may charge more due to higher living costs or limited availability of qualified technicians.
At Ranheat, all new systems are connected to the internet to our team in Northampton. Hybrid approaches that use our expertise in Northampton with well-trained site operative can work well. All Ranheat-approved service technicians will either be working on a machine with an internet connection or have a laptop that enables the skills in Northampton to be projected around the UK, Ireland, North America, India, and the world.
Experienced and reputable service providers may charge higher fees, but their expertise can ensure thorough and reliable maintenance. Choosing a knowledgeable service provider, such as our team at Ranheat, can prevent future issues and costly repairs.
Biomass boilers are complex machines. Only a technician with manufacturer support and knowledge of the system, including the control system and firmware running the system, is in a position to safely provide a major yearly service for a biomass boiler. This is often a condition of extended warranties and insurers. Insurers will say that manufacturers’ instructions must be followed.
Boilers under warranty or with service contracts may have lower servicing costs. It’s important to understand the terms of the warranty or contract to determine what is covered and what additional costs may arise.
This also depends on what expertise are available on site. For a school, a comprehensive maintenance plan is required. For an industrial site with a round the clock maintenance team then less external help might be required.
At Ranheat, we try to get the perfect fit for our customers and ensure the best performance for the lowest cost.
There are several strategies you can use to minimise the maintenance costs of your biomass boiler. Consider the following:
Scheduled servicing is crucial to keep a biomass boiler in good condition. Regular maintenance helps identify potential issues early, such as leaks or worn-out parts, before they escalate. This can help prevent major repairs that can cost significantly and, at the same time, extend the boiler’s lifespan.
Long-term service contracts can offer bigger savings and peace of mind. These contracts often include regular maintenance and priority service in case of emergencies, reducing the risk of unexpected expenses. Furthermore, you can also select maintenance plans tailored to your needs.
When negotiating service contracts, it’s essential to consider the boiler’s specific needs and usage. Negotiating favourable terms, such as fixed pricing and included consumables, can help you manage biomass boiler servicing costs effectively.
Certain maintenance tasks can be handled in-house to reduce servicing costs. These tasks include regularly cleaning ash bins, checking for visible leaks, and ensuring the fuel supply system is functioning correctly.
Always read the manual. Ranheat systems are industrial machines with powerful automatic low RPM motors that can take off limbs. Make sure you lock out and tag our machines before going through any safety guarding and taking tools to a machine.
While some tasks can be handled by your in-house maintenance team, it’s important to know when to call a professional. Complex issues, safety checks, and efficiency optimisations should be left to qualified technicians, such as our team at Ranheat. This is to ensure that the boiler operates safely and efficiently, complies with UK regulations, and meets industry standards.
Fuel storage and conveying should not require regular manual interventions as it exposes people to dust and possible explosions. If a system is blocking constantly, do not just accept it; make a change.
If there is any bad smells or dark smoke, inspect the machine.
Understanding the costs associated with biomass boiler servicing is essential for any business considering this eco-friendly heating solution. By adopting strategies such as regular maintenance, long-term service contracts, and performing basic in-house tasks, enterprises can minimise their maintenance costs while ensuring their biomass boilers run efficiently and safely. Most importantly, investing in proper servicing not only extends the lifespan of the boiler but also contributes to its optimal performance.
At Ranheat, we design, manufacture, and install industrial biomass boilers. We also provide bespoke maintenance services, ensuring your system operates at peak efficiency and reliability. Get in touch with us today to learn how our tailored solutions can meet your business’s heating needs while maximising savings and sustainability.
