Holiday makers enjoy natural warmth thanks to Baxi Biomass

Date:

25/09/2009

Visitors to Neuadd Farm holiday cottages can now enjoy the idyllic countryside along the Cardiganshire coast knowing that they are also helping to protect the environment.  The cottages are heated by an underfloor communal heating system fired by a Baxi Biomass log wood boiler, fed by fuel coppiced from woodland on the farm.

Proprietors Mike and Llinos Young had the Baxi Solo Innova 50kW biomass boiler installed in Spring 2009 after he received one enormous electricity bill too many.  Mike explains: "We have nine high quality cottages to let, and, because we are off mains gas here, they were heated by electric storage heaters with electric immersion heaters for hot water.

"In December, we were shocked to receive another huge electricity bill, and knew we had to do something drastic.  Storage heaters aren't controllable, potentially they waste heat and we found them very expensive to run, just to keep the cottages aired when we had no guests.

"With 15 acres of woodland on the farm, it made perfect sense to use the fuel grown on our doorstep.  So, after thoroughly researching biomass and understanding the benefits of carbon neutral of heating, we opted for the Baxi Solo Innova 50kW and a 3000 litre solar buffer tank.  In addition we installed four sets of evacuated tube solar collectors on the roof of the plant room, to assist with hot water provision, particularly in the summer months.

"The whole system is managed by a central control panel, from which we can monitor the heating and hot water supply to each cottage.  This allows us to manage the system very efficiently.

"This summer, we have fired the boiler at half capacity, every two or three days, and it burns for about three hours.  This is enough to heat the water in the buffer tank, in conjunction with the solar evacuated tubes.  The first time I emptied the ash tray of the boiler - after three months - I was surprised at how little ash there was.  The boiler burns really efficiently.

"Importantly, we've seen a 20 per cent reduction in our electricity bill already, which is really good news," finishes Mike.

Biomass boilers use carbon neutral fuel to provide a sustainable and environmentally friendly heat source.  Baxi has two models of biomass boiler.  The log burning Baxi Solo Innova is available in outputs of 20, 30 and 50 kW.  The Baxi Multi-Heat burns wood pellets and is available in outputs of 15, 25 and 40 kW.  Both models are ideal for properties where mains gas is not available.

Neuadd Farm Cottages is a collection of 4 and 5 star cottages and is a member of Premier Cottages.  Two cottages have been upgraded to a very high standard, with all doors, stairs and skirting boards hand made from solid oak.  Two more cottages will be upgraded this year and the remaining cottages to follow next year.  To book, please visit the Neadd Farm Cottages website.