As we enter the cold Autumn temperatures, we have put together our usual checklist to help you maintain optimum performance for your biomass boiler set-up this Autumn:

Store is clean – As recommended in our Summer Fuel Store Maintenance Guide.

Annual Service completed – Make sure that your biomass boiler is serviced annually by a certified technician to ensure the appliance is operating safely and correctly.

Thermostat  – Check and adjust your thermostat settings to ensure your heating system is working properly.

Order in advance  – As temperatures start to drop we are seeing an increase in Autumn orders. We strongly recommend you order in advance before winter is here, as lead times can increase at winter peak times.

Make sure your wood pellet fuel is high-quality and certified – Like the wood pellets we supply, which we manufacture locally in our green energy powered plants. Looking for cheap wood pellets is tempting on the short run, but if you check all our certifications and manufacturing accreditations, you will see how important is the complexity of buying high quality wood pellet fuel – both for the lifetime of your biomass boiler and the calorific value you can get. Click here to see the specifications of our pellets.

We’re supporting the Environment & Less CO2 production, for our future – because we’re manufacturing locally with renewable energy and we also supply from our local depots. This means that our carbon footprint is less than any other imported pellets, which can travel half way around the globe.

Are you using bagged or bulk wood pellets?

You can benefit of our 10kg Bagged Wood Pellets. Why not order a full pallet to have them just in case and make sure you won’t run out on fuel? Or maybe if you have a stove, they can be easily handled and stored inside!

Let us know if you need any assistance with any of the above – Our team is here for you! Call us today or drop us an email.

Wood Pellet Heating for Poultry: A Renewable and Efficient Solution

Our team recently attended a Teagasc Poultry webinar on renewable and energy-efficient heating for poultry houses. Experts Paula, Colm, and Gerard shared valuable insights on why switching to wood pellet heating for poultry benefits both the environment and business energy efficiency.

This webinar covered key facts about heating poultry houses and optimizing energy use. Below, we highlight the most important points to help you understand why wood pellet heating is the best choice for poultry farmers.

Key Facts About Wood Pellet Heating

• Balcas Energy has supplied wood pellets since 2004, supporting farmers with a reliable, efficient heating solution. We’ve supplied 1,000 poultry houses across Northern Ireland and Great Britain, using 45,000 tonnes of fuel annually, producing 200 million kWh of heat and raising 160 million birds.
• Our premium-quality wood pellets ensure consistent heat output with zero production waste, making them more sustainable than other biomass fuels like wood chips.
• Compared to direct-fired gas heating, wood pellet heating provides drier, cleaner heat, creating a healthier poultry environment and improving bird welfare.
• Carbon tax in ROI increased to €33.50 per tonne in 2021 and will rise to €100 per tonne by 2030. However, the ROI government’s Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) allows businesses to claim up to €38,120 per year for using renewable heating solutions.

Watch the Full Webinar Below

Discover more about wood pellet heating for poultry by watching the full webinar. Learn how to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and support sustainability in poultry farming.

Click below to watch the webinar now!

If you currently operate a poultry house and are keen on Balcas energy wood pellets as an energy solution after watching the webinar but have some questions, please contact the Balcas Energy support team and we will provide you with the relevant information required to make your change to renewable energy.

To view the webinar please visit 2021 – Let’s Talk Poultry Webinar – Balcas Energy Solution for Heating Poultry Houses – Teagasc | Agriculture and Food Development Authority.

If you’re interested in reading more about the RHI, SSRH, or the Carbon Tax being introduced in the Republic of Ireland please click below:

Why Use Wood Pellets? Top 5 Benefits of This Eco-Friendly Fuel

Many people have heard of wood pellets but may not know their advantages. At Balcas, we want our customers to make informed choices when purchasing wood pellets.

Wood burning pellet fuel is a compressed form of wood biomass used as fuel in stoves and boilers. They offer a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, helping homeowners and businesses reduce their environmental impact. Below are five key benefits of using wood pellets for heating.

1. Cost-Effective and Stable Pricing

Pellet prices have remained stable over the past decade, unlike fossil fuel prices, which fluctuate dramatically. This stability makes biomass pellets a reliable and cost-effective heating option. With energy costs constantly rising, switching to wood pellets can help manage heating expenses more effectively.

2. Lower Carbon Footprint Than Fossil Fuels

Biomass pellets produce up to 90% fewer carbon emissions compared to heating oil. When sourced from sustainably managed forests, they offer a significantly lower carbon footprint than fossil fuels. At Balcas Energy, we take pride in our sustainable production process, ensuring our pellets contribute to a cleaner environment.

3. Supports Sustainable Forestry Practices

Using wood pellets promotes responsible forestry. When sourced from eco-friendly suppliers, burning pellets releases fewer emissions than trees decomposing naturally. Sustainable forestry management ensures continuous replanting, which helps absorb CO2 and enhances environmental conservation efforts.

4. Natural and Chemical-Free Fuel

Our pellets are made from compressed sawdust and contain no harmful chemicals or additives. Unlike fossil fuels, they do not release toxic fumes or residues. Produced using renewable energy, our pellets are an environmentally friendly and safe heating choice for homes and businesses.

5. Easy and Safe to Store

Wood pellets are simple to store in any dry area. They are not highly flammable and do not emit harmful odors. Unlike fuels like oil, gas, diesel, or coal, biomass pellets do not pose a significant fire hazard, making them a safer option for residential and commercial heating.

Choose Sustainable Heating with Balcas Energy

At Balcas, we want to provide you with the best information on sustainable heating solutions. If you have any questions about wood burning pellets, check our FAQ section or contact us. Call us at +44 (0) 28 6641 1001, email energy@balcas.com, or reach us via our online Contact Form. A member of our team will respond promptly.

Switch to sustainable fuel today and enjoy cost-effective, eco-friendly heating!

Do you know where your wood pellets are coming from?

Wood pellets are a versatile, eco-friendly fuel source used worldwide. Their applications range from residential heating to industrial processes, making them a popular choice for reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Importantly, you must understand where is your wood pellets origin!

Common Uses of Wood Pellets

Wood pellets serve multiple purposes, including:

1. Replacing coal in electricity generation
2. Home heating in stoves and boilers
3. Commercial space heating
4. Animal bedding
5. Animal litter trays
6. Industrial heat processes
7. Heating commercial buildings
8. Barbecues
9. Pizza ovens
10. Heating public sector buildings, such as hospitals

With such diverse applications, global demand for wood pellets continues to grow.

Not All Wood Pellets Are the Same

Wood pellets vary in color, diameter, and wood species, affecting characteristics like ash content and calorific value. They can be made from waste wood (e.g., pallets and doors), virgin timber, or sawmill residues. The sustainability of a wood pellet depends on its raw material source and manufacturing process. So, always check your wood pellets origin.

Wood Pellets and the Path to Net Zero

Wood pellets play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions, especially in rural or off-grid areas. They offer a carbon-neutral alternative to imported fossil fuels. Unlike heat pumps, wood pellets generate high heat, making them suitable for existing buildings without requiring costly insulation upgrades.

At Balcas, we prioritize sustainable manufacturing. Our two plants produce wood pellets using local, responsibly managed forests and green energy, further enhancing their carbon-neutral benefits. With our fuel, you’ll know your wood pellets origin.

The Importance of Sustainable Timber Sourcing

Sustainable timber sourcing is essential in the fight against climate change. Responsible sourcing requires replanting trees and minimizing waste. Imported timber often travels long distances, increasing carbon footprints and the risk of cross-contamination.

Preferred by Nature, a global non-profit, assesses timber legality worldwide. Many imported wood pellets originate from high-risk areas with weak sustainability practices. At Balcas, we ensure our pellets meet strict certification and traceability standards, so you receive a high-quality, ethically sourced product.

Where Does Balcas Source Timber?

We source our timber locally from sustainably managed forests in the UK and Ireland. For every tree used, four more are planted, ensuring long-term environmental balance.

Choose Balcas for Sustainable Heating

Switch to wood pellets for a cleaner, greener heating solution. Learn more about our timber sourcing and sustainable manufacturing here.