Wood chip boiler – efficient heating for larger needs
A wood chip boiler is the solution for those who have greater energy needs and want to use bioenergy in the form of wood chips. Wood chips consist of shredded wood, often from branches, tops, or residual material from forestry.
It is a natural and renewable fuel that is particularly well suited to agriculture, industry, and large properties with high energy consumption.
When is wood chips the best solution?
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Why choose a wood chip boiler?
Wood chips are not always the easiest fuel to use, but in the right context, they can be the most economical.
Cost-effective for larger volumes
When energy demand is high, wood chips can provide a low cost per kWh produced.Possibility of your own fuel supply
If you have access to forest or residual material, you can produce some of the fuel yourself.Suitable for large properties
Wood chip boilers are often used in:✔ Agriculture
✔ Industry
✔ Municipal buildings
✔ Larger property portfolio
Renewable energy
Wood chips are a biofuel and contribute to a more circular use of forest raw materials. -
How does a wood chip boiler work?
A wood chip boiler works on the same basic principle as a pellet boiler, but is designed for larger quantities of fuel, and the wood chips are stored in a larger storage facility.
The fuel is automatically transported into the boiler via a screw conveyor or other feeding solution.
Combustion is controlled electronically to provide the right amount of power.
The heat is transferred to the building's heating system.
The system is automated, but requires more space and planning than a pellet solution.
Fuel handling and storage
Unlike pellets, wood chips require more storage space. Often needed:
✔ A separate fuel storage facility
✔ Mechanical handling, for example wheel loaders
✔ Planning for refueling
This may make wood chips less suitable for small properties, but they are very effective in larger operations where handling is already a natural part of operations.
Adaptation to varying fuels
Wood chips can vary in moisture content depending on how they are stored and produced. Modern systems are designed to handle these variations and still deliver stable output.
For larger facilities, this is crucial to ensuring a consistent and secure heat supply.
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Is a wood chip boiler right for you?
Using wood chips as fuel is usually most suitable when:
✔ Energy requirements are high
✔ There is plenty of storage space
✔ Mechanical handling is possible
✔ Focus is on low cost per kWh
For smaller properties or limited space, pellet boilers are often more practical, but with functional, existing logistics (ample storage space and access to wheel loaders or similar) a wood chip boiler can also be an interesting option for small properties.
What effect is needed?
Wood chip boilers are most commonly used in medium-sized and large power areas, for example:
✔ Medium-sized properties: 80–301 kW
✔ Larger installations: up to 499 kW. All HERZ can also be connected in series in a cascade. Up to eight boilers can be connected in the same system.
✔ HERZ alsoHERZ boilers for smaller buildings: 20–60 kW
Correct dimensioning is crucial to ensure good operating economy and even heat production.
Environmentally smart solutions for a sustainable future
Clean Burn is committed to sustainable energy sources. By replacing fossil fuels such as oil and gas with renewable bioenergy from wood chips and modern solutions such as eco-design-approved wood chip boilers, we are taking responsibility for the future. A long-term approach, high-quality materials, and recycling of residual materials are central to our environmental work. That is why we collaborate with leading players in the industry.
How a wood chip boiler heats your home
A wood chip boiler is a smart and energy-efficient way to manage heating, whether for a single-family home or a larger property. Due to its compact layout, it is easy to place and can, for example, be installed in the basement, making it easy to adapt. Operation is automatic; the boiler senses the heat demand itself and supplies heat to radiators, underfloor heating, domestic hot water, and fan coil units.
Smooth heating with an automatic wood chip boiler
A wood chip boiler is a smart and climate-friendly way to replace your current oil or gas boiler. Or maybe it's time to replace your old biofuel boiler? With simple, reliable technology, you get clean and efficient heat that produces little ash. The boiler is flexible to install with its various fuel storage solutions. All operation is automatic – the boiler starts, stops, and adjusts the output entirely on its own based on how much heat is needed.
To maintain high efficiency, the boiler takes care of soot removal and ash removal on its own. The grate, combustion chamber, and convection section are kept clean automatically, and the ash is compressed and transported to an ash box.
The difference between pellets and wood chips
Pellets and wood chips are two common biofuels, but they differ more than you might think. Wood chips consist of shredded wood, often from branches, tops, or logs that are not used for timber. This makes wood chips a natural and cost-effective choice that is used in both large heating plants and smaller properties. However, wood chips usually require you to handle the fuel yourself, for example with a wheel loader or similar. Wood chips also require more storage space than pellets.
Pellets are manufactured in a completely different way. Here, dried sawdust and wood chips are pressed together into small, hard cylinders with high energy content. The choice between pellets and wood chips often depends on availability, economy, and the type of wood chip boiler or heating system you have.
Our efficient wood chip boilers from Herz
Firematic . An excellent option for smaller properties. Can heat areas of 500–1500 square meters. Available in four models. Perfect when the need is smaller but the requirements for even heating are high.
Firematic . Ideal for medium-sized buildings. With an output of 80–301 kW, it is suitable for areas of 2,000–7,500 square meters. Available in 13 variants, making it easy to find a solution that suits your needs.
Firematic . This is a large yet versatile boiler, suitable for large facilities. With 349–499 kW, it covers areas of over 7,500 square meters. The boilers can also be connected together (cascade connection) to achieve greater power and redundancy. Up to eight boilers can be controlled together. Contact us and we will help you find the right solution.
Safe and efficient heating all year round
In order for your wood chip boiler to function properly and provide even, balanced heat all year round, it needs some care and attention. With regular servicing, you will have a system that is reliable, energy efficient, and lasts longer.
We are accustomed to quickly troubleshooting, optimizing, and, through our dealers, repairing our products. Thanks to a very large stock of spare parts in Sweden, we can often solve any problems quickly.
If you want peace of mind, you can sign up for a service agreement for regular inspections through our partners.
Wood chip boiler – frequently asked questions
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Description text goA wood chip boiler that is properly maintained has a long service life – often 20–25 years or even longer. With the right installation and regular maintenance, you will have a safe and sustainable heating solution for many years to come.
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Wood chip consumption depends on the size of the building and how much heat is required. Depending on moisture content, one cubic meter of wood chips contains approximately 750 kW/h.
A normal house often uses around 20–30 cubic meters of wood chips per year, while larger properties need more. We are happy to help you calculate what is right for you.
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Absolutely! A wood chip boiler works well in combination with, for example, solar panels or existing heating systems such as district heating. This provides flexibility and greater efficiency.
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The rules vary between municipalities. Sometimes a building permit is required, especially for larger installations. Contact your municipality for information – or get in touch with us and we will guide you in the right direction. It is also important to ensure that the biofuel plant you choose is approved in accordance with the Ecodesign Directive and that it is EN-303-5 approved.