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KNOWLEDGE
Always one step ahead

Switch from oil to pellets now

Our heating systems provide us with heat and convenient hot water around the clock – for as many as 2,000 hours a year. But once your heating system reaches 15 years old, you should really start to think about modernising it. Heating systems which are older are considered technologically outdated. They usually need more fuel than is necessary, are prone to malfunctions and pollute the environment. 

So don’t leave it too late and replace your old heating system in good time.

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.

Research which pellet boiler is best suited to you. You can find lots of information online. You can contact most manufacturers by phone. Go to trade fairs to receive guidance in person or visit showrooms to take a look at possible boilers before making a decision.

Contact a trusted local installer. They will be able to offer expert advice and will recommend a suitable heating solution to meet your requirements.

Make sure that you clarify certain things before deciding on a heating system, for example:

  • Ask your chimney sweep whether your flue needs to be renovated.
  • Do you have enough space for a year’s worth of pellets? In most cases, the oil tank or tank space will be large enough to easily convert it into a pellet store. With the free Windhager app for planning a storage space, you will have an answer at the touch of a button.
  • Decide which kind of pellet storage and feed system is best for you (brick-built storage room, fabric tank, sheet metal tank or buried tank).
  • Can you carry on using elements of your existing heating system (pumps, radiators, etc.) or are they outdated? It is almost always worth modernising everything at the same time.
  • What subsidies are available? Conversions to environmentally friendly pellet heating systems are often subsidised. Find out whether you are supported by the Austrian federal government, the province or your municipality and apply for funding even before implementation.
  • Who will do the electrical work? The electrics of the new heating system must be connected up properly. Some installers work closely with specialist electrical companies to this end or will have trained electricians already within their organisation.

The following items and costs need to be included in the quote:

  • New boiler with controller
  • New hydraulic components such as pumps and distributors (if necessary)
  • Disposal of the old oil-fired boiler and oil tank (if necessary)
  • Renovating the flue (if necessary)
  • Pellet storage room (removal system and storage system)
  • Installation work
  • Insulation of the heating pipes
  • Electrical connection of the new boiler
  • Start-up of the heating system by the customer service team

When you are happy with all the elements of the quote, commission a trusted installer to convert your heating system.

Before you start any modernisation work, many local authorities require you to submit a building application. If this is the case, take this opportunity to also submit your subsidy application. Your trusted installer will usually be able to help you with this.

It is recommended to have your flue inspected by a chimney sweep before starting any conversion work. They will be able to advise you whether or not the flue needs to be renovated. You will usually need a new flue for modern boilers as they are much more efficient than older ones and so have much lower flue gas temperatures as well. This is quite a simple process, which involves pulling stainless steel pipes into the flue.

Discuss the schedule for the modernisation with your installer and go through the individual steps together. The boiler replacement will usually take a few days. 

Note that the delivery time for the small compacted wood granules is usually two to three weeks. 

Have your heating system commissioned by a trained expert or the customer service team of your chosen boiler manufacturer. Take this opportunity to check with the technician whether the heating system is working as required and have them explain exactly how to operate the system.

Questions about boiler replacement?
Get customised advice:
Produktanfrage

Further information about heating

We have collected a lot of interesting information for you on the subject of heating.

To the knowledge overview

You can find more helpful information and tips for replacing your heating system in the Windhager modernisation guide “Making the switch easy”. You can request the brochure free of charge from info@at.windhager.com or simply download it here: