But more importantly people are coming up with simple ways of generating their own electricity and are not only supplying their own modest energy needs but supplying power back to the grid and joining the growing numbers of people becoming “energy independent” and potentially living off-grid.

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For example one kilo of wood pellets will produce 5 Kw’s of heat for an hour. This compares very favourably with a typical dry hardwood fuel log. Pellets have a higher density than logs and because of this they can  flow very easily like  sand through wood pellet fuel systems. That’s why on a pellet stove or boiler you simply fill the hopper with fuel and burner will do the rest.

Wood pellets are very new to the market, particularly in Ireland. We purchased a Gerkorss 15 kw boiler in 2006 which at the time was supported by generous grants. 6 years later the boiler is still generating heat with very little problems.

The first winter we were faced with shortages of supply, having to go borrowing from other pellet boiler pioneers. This shortage was rectified by the following winter with the entrance of new suppliers. another problem we encountered was however that living off a main thoroughfare the trucks that supplied bulk pellets were unable to get close enough to deliver so we have to rely on bags of pellets. While this cost us more initially, thankfully the price of bagged pellets has remain steady particularly when compared with fossil fuels over the same period.

The standard grade of fuel which all pellet stoves and boilers can use is the premium grade wood pellet, however this is also the most expensive grade of pellet fuel and the market will move forward to other grades over the next couple of years. Due to this reason you do not want to purchase a pellet furnace which is designed to burn only premium grade wood pellets, you want a more capable pellet stove or boiler. Even if you intend to only purchase premium grade wood pellets, having that choice to use other cheaper and more available grades of pellet fuel has many benefits. Such as local pellet fuels which can support the local area with more jobs.

While our experience has been largely positive thanks to time spent researching, others were not as fortunate and particularly in an attempt to skimp on price, lost out and in many cases had to decommission the boiler in it’s first year.

It is essential that you research your wood pellet boiler in advance. Don’t take a salesperson’s word for it, ask for references from people who have used the boiler for more than a year. I would recommend you look at The PelHeat Beginners Guide And Complete Guide

Find out more about wood pellet boilers and stoves here!

Solar Energy refers to the Radiant Heat and Light that come from the Sun which when harnessed can be converted to energy. Advances in technology have mean that solar heating appliances are now commonplace in many modern homes.

Solar Energy is  used in domestic houses for two main reasons:

1. To Heat Water for domestic use via solar panels. The most common types are Evacuated Tubes of Flat Panel.
2. To Generate Electricity via Photovoltaic Cells.

Solar Energy can be maximised in a building for Heat and Light with the application of “Passive Solar Design”. This involves ensuring that buildings are orientated to make the most of the sun’s heat and light.

Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute solar energy. Active solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors to harness the energy. Passive solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with favourable thermal mass or light dispersing properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air.