It’s worth modernising!
More reliability
With a renewable wood fuel heating system, you can heat safely and independently of fossil energy imports such as oil or gas. Modern, technically sophisticated boilers are particularly reliable.
Lower heating costs
Pellets and the like have been the most affordable fuels available on the market for many years now. Wood is also a regional energy source that is processed by our local companies and constantly grows back.
Better environmental protection
Wood is a domestic, renewable raw material which, unlike oil or gas, is also CO2-neutral. This means that during combustion only as much carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere as is contained in the wood.
More convenient heating
Pellet and wood chip heating systems are largely fully automatic and easy to operate. The old oil tank room can be converted into a pellet storage area and the fuel is automatically conveyed to the boiler.
Find out which pellet boiler is best suited to your needs. You can find plenty of information online. You can also contact most manufacturers by phone. Make the most of trade fairs to get advice in person, or visit showrooms to view potential boilers in advance.
Contact a trusted local heating engineer. They will provide you with expert advice and recommend the heating solution best suited to your needs.
Please note that before deciding on a heating system, there are certain things you should clarify, for example:
- Ask your chimney sweep whether your chimney needs to be refurbished.
- Do you have enough space for a year’s supply of pellets? In most cases, the oil tank or tank room is large enough to be easily converted into a pellet storage area. With the free Windhager app for planning a storage room, you can find the answer at the touch of a button.
- Decide which type of pellet storage and feed system suits you best (brick-built storage, fabric tank, sheet steel tank or underground tank).
- Can you continue to use your existing heating system (pumps, radiators, etc.) or is it already outdated? It is almost always worth modernising everything at the same time.
- What subsidies are available? Switching to an environmentally friendly pellet heating system is often subsidised. Find out whether you are eligible for support from the government, the regional authorities or your local council, and submit a subsidy application before starting the project.
- Who will carry out the electrical work? The new heating system must be professionally connected to the mains. Some installers work closely with specialist electrical contractors for this purpose or have their own qualified electricians on staff.
The following items and costs must be included in the quote:
- New boiler with control system
- New hydraulic components such as pumps and manifolds (if necessary)
- Disposal of the old oil-fired boiler and the oil tank (if necessary)
- Refurbishment of the chimney (if necessary)
- Pellet storage room (extraction system and storage system)
- Installation work
- Insulation of heating pipes
- Electrical connection of the new boiler
- Commissioning of the heating system by the manufacturer’s customer service team
If you are happy with all the items in the quote, place an order with your trusted installer to convert your heating system.
Before you start the renovation work, you will need to submit a building notification in many local authorities. You should also submit your application for a grant at the same time. Your trusted plumber will usually be happy to help you with this.
It is advisable to have a chimney inspection carried out by a chimney sweep before starting any renovation work. They can also advise you on chimney renovation. Modern boilers usually require a new chimney, as they are much more efficient and therefore produce much lower flue gas temperatures. This can be done quite simply by installing stainless steel flue pipes within the chimney.
Discuss the schedule for the upgrade with your engineer and go through the individual steps together. Replacing the boiler usually takes just a few days.
Please note that delivery of the small wooden blocks usually takes two to three weeks.
Have your heating system commissioned by a qualified specialist firm or the manufacturer’s customer service department. While this is being done, check with the technician that the heating system is working as intended and ask for a detailed explanation of how to operate it.
