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The cost of a biomass boiler generally ranges from €3,000 to €25,000 depending on the size, brand and any specific features. A biomass boiler is a type of heating system that uses biomass fuel to generate heat. Biomass fuel is any organic material, commonly wood chips or pellets, that can be burned to produce energy.
For a domestic property, the cost of a biomass boiler typically ranges from €3,000 to €25,000.
The cost of the biomass boiler depends on the following factors:
Before buying a biomass boiler, you should request quotes from different companies to compare prices.
In addition to the boiler itself, you should also get a quote for how much it will cost to deliver and install the biomass boiler.
Below you will find a table that shows the average estimated prices for some popular biomass boiler brands:
| Brand | Estimated Price Range (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Woodco | €5,000 - €15,000 |
| Grant | €5,000 - €12,000 |
| HDG | €8,000 - €20,000 |
| ETA | €8,000 - €25,000 |
| KWB | €8,000 - €25,000 |
No Boiler Grants
There are no longer direct boiler grants available for the purchase of new boilers, including biomass boilers. There are grants available for alternative heating systems such as heat pumps.
While direct grants for domestic biomass boilers are currently unavailable, businesses and non-domestic users (such as farms, community centres, or commercial buildings) may be eligible for:
While the boiler unit itself is the main expense, installation costs can fluctuate significantly based on site-specific requirements as instillation can cost between €1,500 — €4,000.
When requesting a quote for installation, ensure the following factors are included:
The cost of a bag of wood pellets for a biomass boiler varies depending on the quantity purchased and the supplier. Typically, the prices for wood pellets when bought in small bags (10 kg or 15 kg) range around €500 per tonne.
When buying in larger quantities, such as a tonne delivered in one large bag or bulk, the cost can be slightly lower, around €460 for large bags or approximately €430 for bulk deliveries.
Biomass fuel can typically be purchased from suppliers that specialize in renewable energy solutions or directly from companies that produce biomass fuels like wood pellets, wood chips, and logs.
Here are a few options and considerations for purchasing biomass boiler fuel in Ireland:
A biomass boiler is a type of boiler that uses biomass fuels to generate heat.
Biomass fuels are renewable energy sources derived from organic materials such as wood, agricultural residues, and waste.
The following are the most common fuels for a biomass boiler:
These fuels are burned in the boiler to heat water, which can then be used for space heating, domestic hot water, or industrial processes.
Even though a range of fuels can be used, different biomass boiler types require different biomass fuels. If you use the wrong type of biomass fuel, it could result in the following:
Biomass boilers tend to be much larger than other types of boilers. This is because the boiler needs to be large enough to hold a large amount of fuel, such as wood pellets.
You may also choose to install an automatic feed hopper, which would take up even more room.
What Is an Automatic Feed Hopper?
This hopper stores wood pellets or other biomass materials that are automatically fed into the boiler when needed. This makes it so you don’t need to refuel the boiler very often.
A biomass boiler works by burning biological materials, such as wood or crops.
Here is a break-down of how a biomass boiler works:
If you have a manual hopper, you will need to refuel it every one to two days during the winter months and every two to three weeks during the summer.
Biomass boilers are designed to last around 20 years compared to high-quality electric and gas boilers will typically last 15 to 25 years, with regular servicing, and an oil boiler usually lasts 15 to 20 years.
Regular maintenance will help your biomass boiler last longer and avoid the need for replacement. You should get a standard boiler service every year (or every 2,500 running hours) and an extended service every two years.
A service can also help you with bleeding your boiler and will protect you from accidents such as carbon monoxide leaks.
A key component of a high-efficiency biomass system is the thermal store (also known as an accumulator or buffer tank). While your article mentions it stores excess heat, its function is vital to efficiency and boiler lifespan.
Biomass boilers, particularly log and pellet models, operate most efficiently when running at their maximum output. They are not designed to modulate quickly or "short cycle" (turn on and off rapidly) like a conventional gas boiler.
Sizing: Thermal stores are typically large, often holding between 500 to 2,000 litres of water for a standard domestic property, and require a significant amount of space. Their size depends on the boiler output and the home's heat demand.
Biomass is considered a carbon neutral fuel because the carbon dioxide (CO2) released when the wood is burned is theoretically equal to the CO2 that the tree absorbed from the atmosphere during its growth.
| Certification | Focus |
|---|---|
| ENplus | The leading European certification for wood pellets, guaranteeing high-quality, uniform fuel (low ash, low moisture) for optimal boiler efficiency. |
| FSC/PEFC | Forest Stewardship Council or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification—certifies that the fuel comes from sustainably managed forests. |
When properly installed and maintained, biomass boilers have an efficiency of around 80% to 90%.
With an efficiency rating of 90%, around 10 cents are wasted for every euro spent on heating.
For comparison, electric boilers have an efficiency rating of 99% to 100% and gas boilers typically have a maximum efficiency rating of 93%. Biomass boilers also use a lot less water than combi boilers.
| Attributes | Biomass | Gas | Oil | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | High | Moderate | High | Low |
| Installation Cost | High | Moderate | High | Low |
| Running Cost | Low | Moderate | High | High |
| Efficiency | High (80-90%) | Moderate (70-90%) | Moderate (70-90%) | High (95-99%) |
| Environmental Impact | Low | Moderate (greenhouse gas emissions) | High (greenhouse gas emissions) | Low (no direct emissions) |
| Maintenance | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Low |
| Fuel Source | Biomass (wood pellets, chips, etc.) | Natural gas | Oil | Electricity |
These are the most common types of biomass boilers:
Although biomass boilers are a more environmentally friendly means of heating your home, their high upfront cost, similar to that of condensing boilers, and the large space required to store them might lead people to choose more conventional boilers for their homes.
Here are some of the pros and cons of biomass boilers:
Home Heating Guide
Still not sure if it’s worth getting a biomass boiler? Head to our guide on home heating systems to compare the different types and decide which is the best option for your home.
The services and products mentioned on this website may only represent a small selection of the options available to you. Selectra encourages you to carry out your own research and seek advice if necessary before making any decisions. We may receive commission from selected partner providers on sales of some products and/or services mentioned within this website. Our website is free to use, and the commission we receive does not affect our opinion or the information we provide.
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