Renewable Energy Installer December/January 2014 | Page 33

Knowledge: Biomass
School of thought
Simon Holden, co-founder of Euroheat, explains the training currently on offer for
biomass and the types of installers most likely to benefi t from this rapidly growing
marketplace
ith only a few months till its
launch, installers with an interest
in renewables should be gearing
up for the RHI and this means
training. For many homes, particularly those in
rural areas, biomass could be a good option.
The RHI’s primary aim is to help off-grid
properties access more affordable warmth -
key customers for biomass.
Cash back is most attractive for
properties that require over 25kWs of heat,
the point that we consider biomass to
be most viable, so, if your customer-base
consists of those living in larger houses in
the countryside, preferably with access to
managed woodland, then wood heating
should defi nitely be on your radar.
A word of caution, biomass is not
a solution for every home or individual.
Logistically, space is required to store the
boiler and associated equipment, plus deliver
the fuel if it is not already on site. Mentally,
end users need to be fully briefed on what
heating a home with wood entails; log
customers, for example, will need to re-fuel
their machine by hand; once a day when it’s
cold. If you specify biomass for the wrong
client they will end up disappointed and your
businesses reputation may suffer as a result.
W
Biomass training
HETAS’ course specifi cally for wood biomass
course is H005. Training delivers background
For customers to achieve
optimum effi ciency, you will
need to be able to properly,
and confi dently, educate
them about their boiler
Back to school:
Euroheat
delivers HETAS
courses,
recognised
by the MCS,
at its training
and exhibition
centre in
Bishops Frome,
Worcestershire
Mentally, end users need
to be fully briefed on what
heating a home with wood
entails
information to enable an engineer to carry out
feasibility studies, professionally advise the
client, consider fuel type and storage options,
as well as design systems and installations
to suit varying site circumstances. Covering
systems from 5kW to 100kW it is ideal
for building services engineers looking to
take advantage of both the domestic and
commercial RHI.
For smaller properties there is the
option to choose a stove that also has boiler
capabilities. Be careful here because most
log stoves are not currently MCS accredited
and therefore not covered by the RHI – we
supply one, the Riko Evo Aqua. To install
this equipment, HETAS’ Installation of
Wet Appliances (H004) course is essential,
providing candidates with the knowledge
and skill to fi t solid fuel appliances with some
form of water heating and allowing them to
self-certifi cate under the Competent Persons
Scheme (CPS).
Pre-requisites for H004 and H005
include suitable experience in heating and
plumbing; Part G Unvented Hot Water is
a requirement. For installers without the
necessary background, there’s a H005 one
day introductory course, which covers the
necessary Building Regulations. If you plan
to install the metal chimney or fl ue, you’ll also
need H006.
It’s not just about technical competence.
Biomass, more than the other renewable
options, does require a level of end-user
knowledge. For customers to achieve
optimum effi ciency, you will need to be able to
properly, and confi dently, educate them about
their boiler, its operation and maintenance.
Fuel is key here; low quality or wet wood will
lead to an ineffi cient boiler.
Beyond technicalities, customers will be
looking for advice and a steer when it comes
to the RHI. If you can help them apply for the
scheme (as many of our commercial installers
do) this will certainly work in your favour. The
more helpful you can be, the more likely you
are to make a sale.
www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk | 33