Biomass
Biomass includes plant and animal material like wood, straw and poultry litter, as well as energy crops like willow. These are used to make energy by burning.
Suitability of biomass for your home
The most popular form of domestic biomass system uses wood pellets. These pellets are made from compressed, clean sawdust.
To be seen as a renewable source of energy it is important that the wood burned comes from a sustainable source and that trees used for fuel are replanted.
Wood pellet systems are available either as stoves for heating a single room or as boilers for full central heating and hot water.
Pellets can be supplied in 10kg bags but for better value it is better to buy them loose by the tonne. Storage space for pellets therefore is something that needs to be considered.
Insulate first
You should make sure that your property is properly insulated before installing renewable technologies.
Next steps
NI Energy Advice offers independent and impartial energy advice to domestic householders in Northern Ireland - plus referrals to energy grants and other sources of help.