Heating pellet consumption can be influenced by various factors. Boiler selection, installation, adjustment for operation, regular maintenance, and annual servicing, as well as pellet quality, all play a significant role. Each detail affects pellet consumption, which can easily be reduced, leading to significantly lower heating costs at the end of the season.
In recent years, wood pellet heating has become increasingly popular. Heating costs are similar, if not lower, compared to wood heating, yet the comfort level is incomparable, and the workload during the heating season is significantly reduced. Internet forums are full of debates for and against pellet heating, with one of the most common questions being how to reduce pellet consumption.
Related Articles:
IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY PELLETS AND HOW TO IDENTIFY THEM
HOW OFTEN SHOULD A PELLET BOILER CHIMNEY BE CLEANED?
Of course, basic requirements such as well-insulated houses, quality windows, and insulated pipes in unheated rooms are assumed. We’ll focus on specific ways to lower pellet consumption when it comes to this heating method.
Proper Boiler Selection Can Make a Difference
The first and foremost consideration is boiler selection if you’re considering switching to pellet heating. One common mistake is purchasing a boiler larger than necessary for the square footage to be heated. Buying a boiler designed for a larger area than you plan to heat is akin to commuting to work every day in an SUV with a 400-horsepower engine. You can drive carefully, but consumption will always be high.
Simply put, the device isn’t properly matched to its purpose. A larger boiler makes sense only if you plan to expand your home’s square footage in the near future. The theory that “bigger is better” because it operates more effortlessly and reliably is simply not accurate.
Decrease Consumption by Adjusting Boiler Power
If you already have an oversized boiler for the space you’re heating, all is not lost. Consumption can be regulated by adjusting the boiler’s power. Depending on the manufacturer, there are options such as P1, P2… How this is adjusted on your specific boiler can be found in the user manual or handled by an authorized technician, preferably during the boiler’s annual cleaning, as recommended.
Importance of Regular Boiler Maintenance
In addition to selecting a quality boiler of appropriate size, its maintenance also affects pellet consumption. Regular servicing, typically performed by the user daily or a few times per week depending on heating intensity, is crucial.
Efficient Heat Exchanger Cleaning
Most modern boilers come equipped with a heat exchanger cleaning system. Over time, a layer of soot accumulates on heat exchanger tubes, causing more heat to be lost through the chimney than transferred to the water for heating.
Annual Servicing for Low Consumption and Reliable Operation
In addition to regular maintenance, an annual boiler service is essential. Apart from the cleaning you’ve done, a technician will inspect and clean many other elements such as the fan and the heat exchanger, preparing the boiler for the next season. Attention should also be given to the chimney and flue passages.
Pellet Quality Matters
The quality of pellets also affects consumption. Lower-quality pellets have lower calorific value, leading to higher consumption and increased boiler dirt, impacting its reliability and consumption.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a professional should install the boiler, an authorized technician should approve and commission the work, and ideally, the technician should clean and inspect the boiler annually. By adhering to regular maintenance during the heating season and using high-quality pellets, you can effectively heat your home with minimal consumption, avoiding the need to search for solutions on internet forums.
Photo: Alfa Plam, Freepik