Renewable energy is the way forward for heating poultry houses

Wood pellet heating for poultry

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:

RHI Scheme SSRH

Do you know where your wood pellets are coming from?

Wood pellets origin
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.

Summer Checklist for Optimal Wood Pellet Fuel Performance

 

Wood pellet boiler summer checklist

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Checklist for Optimal Wood Pellet Fuel Performance

As summer arrives, many homeowners across Great Britain and Ireland switch off their wood pellet boilers to enjoy the warm weather. This off-peak period is the ideal time to clean your store and prepare your boiler for the next heating season. Follow this four-point wood pellet boiler summer checklist to keep your biomass boiler in top condition.

Balcas Energy Summer Maintenance Checklist

✅ Clean Your Wood Pellet Store

Vacuum your pellet store once a year. Although Balcas Energy wood pellets contain less than 1% fine material, dust can accumulate over time. Regular cleaning ensures efficient fuel flow and prevents blockages. Follow our Summer Maintenance Guide for expert advice.

✅ Schedule an Annual Boiler Service

Book an annual service with a certified technician to keep your wood pellet boiler running safely and efficiently. Search online or check your local directory for qualified professionals. Before hiring, confirm their certifications. Need help? Contact us for assistance.

✅ Adjust Your Thermostat

Set your thermostat for summer to reduce unnecessary heating. This small adjustment improves comfort and lowers energy use, helping you save on heating costs.

✅ Plan Your Next Wood Pellet Order

Check your fuel levels and plan your next order in advance. Don’t wait until the last minute—cool summer nights can still require heating. You can order wood pellets online 24/7 for bulk delivery or purchase 10kg bags via our Online Shop.

Stay prepared this summer and ensure your biomass heating system is ready for colder months. Follow this simple wood pellet boiler summer checklist.

CHECK PRICE FOR BAGS CHECK BULK PRICES

 

FAQs About Summer Maintenance for Wood Pellet Boilers

1. Why should I service my wood pellet boiler in summer?

Summer is the best time to service your boiler. Engineers are more available, and the system is not under heavy use.

2. How often should a pellet boiler be cleaned?

A professional service is recommended annually. Basic cleaning, such as removing ash, should be carried out regularly by the owner.

3. Can summer maintenance improve boiler efficiency?

Yes. Servicing in summer helps maintain peak efficiency, reduces fuel waste, and ensures the boiler is ready for winter demand.

4. What happens if I skip a summer service?

Skipping maintenance risks reduced efficiency, unexpected breakdowns, and higher repair costs when heating demand increases in colder months.

Stay safe and warm!

Government announcement: Companies must commit to net zero emissions to win major government contracts

We’re delighted to hear and support the UK government’s announcement that businesses must commit to net zero by 2050. Failing to do means they cannot bid for major government contracts.

net zero carbon by 2050

Any firm applying for a public sector contract worth more than £5m a year must meet the criteria from September.

From September, firms seeking public sector contracts worth more than £5m a year will also have to publish “clear and credible carbon reduction plans” before being considered, the Cabinet Office said.

It means that all firms bidding for contracts will have to meet the new criteria. It is no longer just those who win, a government spokesman said.

Under the new plans, a carbon reduction plan will have to set out where a company’s emissions come from. It must also include environmental management measures it has in place.

For the entire press release which outlines the new criteria please read more on the Government website here.

 

If you have a business and you’re not familiar with these new changes contact us via our Contact Us form.  Send us an email by clicking the button below. Alternatively, give us a call at and one of our Account Managers can chat you through everything:

SEND EMAIL CALL NOW


Balcas Energy is the largest manufacturer & distributor of carbon neutral wood pellets, supplying fuel since 2004. We offer heating contracts where you can pay by kWh and help with an energy solution tailored for your business, whatever that is.

You can read more about our heat contracts and about our team here.

Earth Day 2022

Earth Day 2022

Today is Earth Day 2022 which people celebrate an annual event around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

earth day 2022

At Balcas we celebrate Earth Day 2022 because we believe that sustainably managed forests are our future. We innovate with timber, use it as efficiently as possible, and ensure every tree we harvest, more is planted.

The original timber we use is either spruce or pine. We source these locally from sustainably managed forests. These forests are the lungs of the planet and we are proud of the contribution that we are making towards fighting climate change.


Five reasons why all our Tomorrows Depend on Trees and how Balcas Energy supports the fight against climate change:

1. Carbon Dioxide is warming the earth and accelerating climate change. Trees absorb CO2 and store it.

2. Balcas Energy is made from fast-growing softwood – we ensure more trees are planted for every one we harvest, offsetting any CO2 released.

3. By making our business local, we are supporting a sustainable timber industry that is making increased forest cover a reality in the UK and Ireland. Ireland wants to increase its forest cover by 64% by 2050. The UK wants to increase its forest cover by 19% by 2050.

4. Trees are the ultimate renewable resource – we can grow them right here without having to worry about global market price fluctuations.

5. Moving from fossil fuels to Balcas Energy’s locally produced wood pellets results in a 100% reduction in carbon emissions.


How do we make our Wood Pellets?

We sustainably manufacture our wood pellets in our two plants located in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, and Invergordon, Scotland.

We make them with renewable energy and high-quality material. So our operations are powered by green electricity. We generate this on site thanks to the co-products of all Balcas saw-milling activities.

Please click below to see a quick animation presenting our manufacturing process:

If you require any more assistance, please contact us and a member of our customer support team will help with any enquires you may have.

Thank You

Balcas Energy

How it’s made – Wood Pellets

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Why do people use wood pellets?

use of wood pellets

Why do people use wood pellets?

The use of wood pellets depends on the objective. Pellet fuel can be used for various reasons. From 100% carbon neutral heating (home and/or business) to horse bedding, for example. For clarification, we wrote an  article on what wood pellets are here.

Balcas manufacture wood pellets from sustainable sources, with proper technology. We deliver over short distances from local storing depots. This results in a zero carbon heating option for any home or business.

This is the main reason we at Balcas Energy are promoting the sustainability story of our pellets. We make them in two local plants in Northern Ireland and Scotland. We obtain wood from our local sustainable forests. Using green energy for manufacturing the pellets also contributes to the carbon neutral benefit. You can read about the entire manufacturing process in Balcas Energy* here.

Climate change is a real threat to our planet and it’s one of the most important reasons why home owners and businesses opt in for renewable energy. Using pellets as a renewable fuel can benefit the climate thanks to a two-fold displacement effect:

  • First, energy is produced from biomass when it would otherwise have been produced by fossil-fuel energy, so significant emissions are avoided by keeping those fuels in the ground.
  • Additionally, the alternative fate of wood residue would most likely be to rot and decay, emitting greenhouse gases as it did so.

While the action of burning wood waste itself creates CO2, the net effect is beneficial because of these displacement effects.

The triple carbon benefit of forest biomass:

  • Trees sequester carbon as they grow.
  • Carbon is locked away in timber products that displace carbon-intensive products.
  • At end of life, forest products can be converted into carbon neutral energy and used for heating and generating electricity.

FAQs About Why People Use Wood Pellets

1. Why are wood pellets popular for heating?

Wood pellets are efficient, renewable, and carbon neutral. They burn cleanly, produce consistent heat, and cost less than many fossil fuels.

2. Are wood pellets environmentally friendly?

Yes. Pellets are made from sawmill by-products and sustainably sourced wood. They reduce carbon emissions compared to oil, coal, or gas.

3. Do wood pellets save money compared to other fuels?

In most cases, yes. Pellet prices are more stable than oil or gas, making heating costs easier to manage long-term.

4. Can wood pellets be delivered in bulk or just bags?

Both options are available. Smaller households prefer bagged pellets, while larger systems benefit from bulk deliveries straight into storage.


*Balcas Energy is the largest manufacturer and distributor of wood pellets in the UK and Ireland. We manufacture the fuel and deliver it all year round. Online ordering is available 24/7.

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Heat Saving Tips to keep your loved one warm this Valentine’s Day

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Biomass fuel funny – large smiley face in the forest :)

Biomass Fuel Funny

Stories about the environment don’t always have to be serious. Check out this biomass fuel funny!

The forest looks alive in the coastal part of Oregon, USA, where this smiley face measuring 80 meters in diameter appeared in the middle of the hills in the autumn of 2020. This was all planned out and planted by Hampton Lumber, in the middle of the forest, between the American towns of Grand Ronde and Willamina, according to oregonlive.com

Biomass fuel funny

Photo: Reddit / The Oregonian

How did this happen?

According to Hampton Lumber, it took a week to plant the smiley back in 2011. They used a rope to measure the circle and the eyes and mouth were triangulated from that point.

As the smiley is supposed to be yellow, larch was used as the base and for the eyes and mouth, douglas fir was planted. As the larch turns yellow in the autumn, that is the best time to see the giant smiley.

How long will the huge hillside smiley face last naturally?

It’s not certain how the smiley face will change over time. The face will certainly “age” as the trees grow, but it’s probably safe to say the effect will last for another 10 years or so.

Read more about the Oregon forest smiley here.

Planting trees is part of Balcas sustainability story as well

Without sustainably managing the local forests, we wouldn’t be able to play our role in fighting the climate change on the long run.

We believe that sustainably managed forests are our future. So we’re taking care to use trees as efficiently as possible, planting four trees for every one we harvest.

 

Forests are the lungs of the planet.

Same bagged wood pellets, in refreshed packaging

Our bagged wood pellet fuel has the same high quality as ever, at the same high standard, with ENplus and BSL accreditations – all still produced with renewable energy in our two plants in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland and Invergordon, Scotland.

As you’ve probably seen already, the packaging for our bags is now refreshed, to better illustrate our Balcas Energy brand.

Inside all of our refreshed packaging is the same locally produced, high standard, qualitative wood pellet fuel. All accreditations and standards for our bagged pellets can be found and downloaded here.

 

bagged wood pellets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balcas Energy Bagged Wood Pellets

  • Ideal for use in wood pellet boilers and stoves. As they are supplied in easy to handle 10kg bags, they are easier to store wherever you like.
  • Our bagged wood pellet fuel provide an ideal solution for your home, a biomass heating system and are ideal as an emergency back-up too.
  • All our Bagged pellet fuel can be delivered directly to your home or business anywhere in the UK and Ireland. Kerbside delivery.

 

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