This is the NUMBER 1 Question from a Clients perspective.
While we all know that if properly cared for, biomass systems are reliable for decades.
HOWEVER - with a nascent and immature industry in the UK, many Companies simply haven't figured out how to answer this question.
By and large - Clients don't want to know about Technology; they Don't want to know about Engineering; they Don't want to know about Fuel - they JUST want the system to provide heat and hot water. "Affordable Warmth - Without the Worry"
Because it isn't a matter of IF the system will shut down; it's only a matter of WHEN.
Here are the most common causes (and remedies) of System Shut-down:
#1 - The Mains Power goes off.
In a perfect world, Biomass Boilers would be tied to Solar PV Panels and Battery Storage banks, to provide autonomous operation. However - this world is far from perfect.
The sad reality is that this Country is at "peak power", and black-outs are an inevitability. Once the power is cut (Even if only for a short time) the boiler will default to shut-down mode. The only real solution is to have an alternative power supply to run the boiler while the repairs to the grid are being made.
You say that your system Supplier didn't include a back-up? I have to question how much they have thought out and care about your comfort then.
#2 - Sensors, Sensors and More Sensors
Any Boiler worth its salt will have several of these. The 2 primary ones that control combustion are the Lambda Sensor (Oxygen) and the EGT (Exhaust Gas). Both of these live in the exhaust stream of the boiler, and both are subject to deposits of fly-ash, soot and other particulate matter. The boiler control system operates using inputs from these sensors, and if they fail - so does the boiler.
There is only one way to mitigate that inevitability - and that is - to remove and clean them on a regular basis. Now, no one would wonder why a hoover wasn't operating properly, if the filters were clogged with dust - and the same applies to your boiler. Lambda sensors have tiny (<1 mm) holes in them - and it doesn't take a very large piece of fly ash to plug it. So - Keep it clean - and it will keep you warm. Better yet - Find a supplier with a built in maintenance man. (or woman) then you will get to see this nice person every few weeks (just like your Window washer, gardener and other service provider)
#3 - Running out of fuel
It's amazing the number of cases I have seen of supposed "boiler failure" that were actually the result of fuel starvation. Once it exhausts the hopper, and uses up what's in the Feed auger - it simply shuts off. Just like your car - a boiler needs fuel to operate.
Now - there isn't a handy-dandy petrol gauge to tell you when your're starting to run on "E" (Which use to stand for "empty" - but nowadays stands for "EXPENSIVE"). When this happens - you need to do 2 things;
A) Pour a few bags of your reserve supply. You DID get advised by your supplier to keep a few dozen bags around for just such an emergency, didn't you?
B) Call the Technician.
Unfortunately - unless you are familiar with the recommissioning sequence, and how to manually "load" the Fuel Supply Auger - you're really at the mercy of someone in the know. Our systems have a 1-button "restart" (that can be remotely operated) - which means that the boiler automatically pre-loads the fuel feed auger, and goes through the commissioning process automatically. (Once the hopper is full again) It is however - unique in the Industry. Other manufacturers WILL catch up - and make their systems more "user friendly".
The best strategy however - is to ensure that you either have a fuel supply contract that leaves the monitoring of the pellet silo to the supplier, or a regular maintenance visit - to physically check the levels. We do both.
Now the other thing that can happen, depending on the system design, is that pellet feed hoses can become blocked - making it LOOK like you've run out of fuel - but it's really just "clogged arteries". This happens when a pellet that is too long (And I've seen them over 60 mm, when the maximum is 45 mm) and it jams in the pipe. Thankfully - the "fix" is easy. We keep a few lengths of 1/2" white PVC pipe in the boiler room, and use it like a plumber uses a "snake (Drain Auger) to clear the jam. The next thing you need to do is call the pellet supplier and let him know that his product is out of specification. Better still - simply deal with a pellet supplier that has better quality control over their product. One thing though - IF it results in a call-out, and a cost to you - the pellet supplier, if he is worth his salt - will compensate you for those costs. IF he doesn't (And I am happy to send you a list of suppliers that WILL take responsibility for their product) then you might want to consider another supplier.
#4 - the Dreaded "Dust in the pellets"
This is the one, and usually ONLY excuse, that boiler manufacturers have to deny warranty liability for their system. NO MATTER WHAT - they will tell you that the "pellets have too much dust". NONSENSE! I have run boilers on virtually 100% sawdust - with few ill effects.
NOW - if in fact the boiler does shut down because of dust - it's usually a simple matter of a phone call to the monitoring center, to have the grate cleaned, and the ignition sequence started again.
What's that you say? Your Boiler Manufacturer DOESN'T have a Monitoring Centre that you can access 24/7? Hmmm - maybe you should have considered another Manufacturer? It is REALLY Important to look "behind" the glossy brochures and slick sales material - to see what the after service is like. You wouldn't buy a car without the Dealer having a garage and a roadside assistance plan would you?
#5 - Slagging in the boiler
While boiler Manufacturers will ALWAYS blame the fuel for this - the fact is that it is the Boilers inability to burn the fuel that causes this. Our boilers can burn Wood Pellets, Grass Pellets, Sawdust, shavings, briquettes, chips, recycled wood, palm kernel shells, and 117 other fuels. And they DON'T shut down because of slagging issues.
This is in part because of the combustion technology and control; but also in part to the fact that ours has an AUTOMATIC GRATE CLEANER and DE-SLAGGING MECHANISM built in.
An ounce of prevention is worth far more than pound of cure in this case. We had one boiler that was constantly slagging up. As expected - the manufacturer blamed the pellets (Which were Certified EN+ Grade). Of course he did - that's his first and only line of defense (or excuse). So - We tried another brand of pellets. Same Thing. Then Another, and another, AND another. I personally spent 120 hours in the boiler house, feeding pellets from bags, monitoring performance and all available parameters every 5 minutes - so I know of which I speak. (That was about as exciting as watching cars rust)
If anyone would like the report, complete with photos - It's 97 pages long.
After exhausting all 5 Major Pellet Manufactures available in the UK - we concluded that the fuel was NOT the problem - the boiler was - so we changed it. (The Lawsuit is ongoing ;-)
Again - the best strategy is prevention.
At the end of the day - it's time that people GOT WHAT THEY PAID FOR!
All too often I have heard and seen the horror stories from good folks who took the chance - believed in the Technology, wanted to go green, and ended up with a very bitter taste in their mouth. It's TIME that system manufacturers started providing PERFORMANCE - not excuses.
If anyone has a story to tell about their experience in this realm - feel free to contact me. I might just be able to get you some satisfaction. Like any goods and services - Boiler systems have to meet a "fit for purpose" and if they are constantly faulting out - there is recourse.
Sunday, 21 April 2013
Saturday, 13 April 2013
The 7 most important questions to ask when deciding on a Biomass Heating System
In the recent past - I have been asked about 1,642 questions about Biomass heating Systems from a multitude of stakeholders.
For the most part - their concerns come down to 7 critical questions, that repeat over and over again.
In an effort to save people the effort and energy of repeating themselves time and again, I have listed these questions, and answers, below.
1) Does your system have a 20 year (40,000 hour) Operating Warranty?
After all - this is at LEAST a 20 year investment. The Sweetness of a low price initially - is rapidly tarnished by the Bitterness of poor performance and high repair costs. Our Systems are Guaranteed for that time period.
2) Does your system come with a Service technician and System Engineer for the life of the System?
Biomass Systems need careful Monitoring and babysitting. If the system does NOT have an allocated service technician to look after the day to day maintenance (Ash Disposal, cleaning, etc.) then it will rapidly degrade to a point of non-operation. By the same token, there are MANY service items that need periodic adjustment, repair and replacement. NO ONE expects their car to run for 20 years, without regular Maintenance and repair - so it's folly to believe that a Biomass System could. The KEY - is the after-sales service - behind the Developer. We have a strong network of technicians, and Engineers to provide RAPID response to system anomalies. In addition - we Monitor the systems on a 24 hour basis, and can often times respond to anomalies, long before the Client knows there has even been one.
3) Does your system have a minimum performance Guarantee?
Many Biomass System manufacturers promote a minimum Efficiency - but how many of them are prepared to back that up with a written guarantee? After all - laboratory test conditions and the real world are two completely different places. Far too many people think that "rated" performance and "Actual" performance are the same thing. BOY - are they EVER surprised when it is significantly different and their fuel bills are up to 30% higher than expected. Our systems come with an OPERATIONAL performance guarantee. That means - the performance we stipulate - is the performance you receive. PERIOD.
4) Does your system come with a MANUFACTURER APPROVED Fuel Supply?
The single largest headache, and the single largest cause of system failures, is incompatibility between the System and the fuel. While there are fuel standards - many systems have very specific requirements to meet their combustion technology. No one would petrol in a diesel car, and expect it to perform. The same should apply with Biomass. HOWEVER - when (not IF) there is a problem - the Equipment Manufacturer blames the Fuel Supplier; and the fuel supplier blames the Equipment Manufacturer. In the end - the customer is left with a cold building, as these folks point fingers at each other. Our systems are ALL 3rd (and soon 4th) generation Systems. They ALL come with an attached fuel supply FROM the manufacturer.
5) Is this fuel supply GUARANTEED for 20 years?
Would you purchase a car that needed leaded petrol to operate? Of course not. By the same token, The specific Biomass fuel for the system needs to be available for the next 2 decades. Now - there will certainly be changes and improvements to the fuel, and the System needs to be adaptable to match these changes. Most 2nd generation boilers are NOT Modular components - and are therefore destined to built-in obsolescence. Make sure the Boiler can keep up with the fuel - and vice versa. Our systems are ALL 3rd (and soon 4th) generation Systems. They are completely modular components, and can be updated as technology improves. In addition - They ALL come with an attached fuel supply FROM the manufacturer.
6) What back-up strategies are in place in the event of System Failure?
Very few System providers like to speak about "what happens when it all goes wrong". Even fewer have a strategy to deal with this - as they hide behind the "Oh well, we made the sale - it's the Clients issue now". We take a much different view. As the system provider - we see it as OUR Responsibility to develop appropriate "what if" strategies, to DEAL with the inevitable. If anyone tells you that their system will not break down - they're LYING. The fact is that it isn't a matter of IF - it's only a matter of WHEN. This, by the way - needs to backed by the MANUFACTURER, not the installer, (they tend to come and go) and be fully insured.
7) Have you got a comprehensive suite of Insurance Policies to underwrite ALL of the above? Our systems ALL have a suite of policies, from a 2A+1 Insurance Company, to underwrite and protect the Client, in the event of ANY situation described above. SIMPLE. We DON'T accept excuses - we ONLY accept Performance.
For the most part - their concerns come down to 7 critical questions, that repeat over and over again.
In an effort to save people the effort and energy of repeating themselves time and again, I have listed these questions, and answers, below.
1) Does your system have a 20 year (40,000 hour) Operating Warranty?
After all - this is at LEAST a 20 year investment. The Sweetness of a low price initially - is rapidly tarnished by the Bitterness of poor performance and high repair costs. Our Systems are Guaranteed for that time period.
2) Does your system come with a Service technician and System Engineer for the life of the System?
Biomass Systems need careful Monitoring and babysitting. If the system does NOT have an allocated service technician to look after the day to day maintenance (Ash Disposal, cleaning, etc.) then it will rapidly degrade to a point of non-operation. By the same token, there are MANY service items that need periodic adjustment, repair and replacement. NO ONE expects their car to run for 20 years, without regular Maintenance and repair - so it's folly to believe that a Biomass System could. The KEY - is the after-sales service - behind the Developer. We have a strong network of technicians, and Engineers to provide RAPID response to system anomalies. In addition - we Monitor the systems on a 24 hour basis, and can often times respond to anomalies, long before the Client knows there has even been one.
3) Does your system have a minimum performance Guarantee?
Many Biomass System manufacturers promote a minimum Efficiency - but how many of them are prepared to back that up with a written guarantee? After all - laboratory test conditions and the real world are two completely different places. Far too many people think that "rated" performance and "Actual" performance are the same thing. BOY - are they EVER surprised when it is significantly different and their fuel bills are up to 30% higher than expected. Our systems come with an OPERATIONAL performance guarantee. That means - the performance we stipulate - is the performance you receive. PERIOD.
4) Does your system come with a MANUFACTURER APPROVED Fuel Supply?
The single largest headache, and the single largest cause of system failures, is incompatibility between the System and the fuel. While there are fuel standards - many systems have very specific requirements to meet their combustion technology. No one would petrol in a diesel car, and expect it to perform. The same should apply with Biomass. HOWEVER - when (not IF) there is a problem - the Equipment Manufacturer blames the Fuel Supplier; and the fuel supplier blames the Equipment Manufacturer. In the end - the customer is left with a cold building, as these folks point fingers at each other. Our systems are ALL 3rd (and soon 4th) generation Systems. They ALL come with an attached fuel supply FROM the manufacturer.
5) Is this fuel supply GUARANTEED for 20 years?
Would you purchase a car that needed leaded petrol to operate? Of course not. By the same token, The specific Biomass fuel for the system needs to be available for the next 2 decades. Now - there will certainly be changes and improvements to the fuel, and the System needs to be adaptable to match these changes. Most 2nd generation boilers are NOT Modular components - and are therefore destined to built-in obsolescence. Make sure the Boiler can keep up with the fuel - and vice versa. Our systems are ALL 3rd (and soon 4th) generation Systems. They are completely modular components, and can be updated as technology improves. In addition - They ALL come with an attached fuel supply FROM the manufacturer.
6) What back-up strategies are in place in the event of System Failure?
Very few System providers like to speak about "what happens when it all goes wrong". Even fewer have a strategy to deal with this - as they hide behind the "Oh well, we made the sale - it's the Clients issue now". We take a much different view. As the system provider - we see it as OUR Responsibility to develop appropriate "what if" strategies, to DEAL with the inevitable. If anyone tells you that their system will not break down - they're LYING. The fact is that it isn't a matter of IF - it's only a matter of WHEN. This, by the way - needs to backed by the MANUFACTURER, not the installer, (they tend to come and go) and be fully insured.
7) Have you got a comprehensive suite of Insurance Policies to underwrite ALL of the above? Our systems ALL have a suite of policies, from a 2A+1 Insurance Company, to underwrite and protect the Client, in the event of ANY situation described above. SIMPLE. We DON'T accept excuses - we ONLY accept Performance.
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