Biomass boilers mean cosy cottages year-round

• Green tourism business discovers the benefits of biomass boilers to heat its highland cottage rentals
• These boilers could generate savings of € 27 000 and reduce carbon emissions by 39.5 tonnes

Located just outside Dingwall in Scotland, Highland Farm Cottages provides five-star self-catering accommodation in a number of converted stone barns and stables, dating back to the 1800s. The cottages can be exposed to extreme weather conditions, and in colder seasons places additional demands on space heating solutions.

Dedicated to the principals of running a green tourism business, finding a more carbon-efficient method of running the premises without compromising guest comfort or convenience was important to Highland Farm Cottages. Biomass boilers are considered a green alternative but choosing one without expertise can prove challenging when it comes to the technical specifications.

Initial quotes presented widely different boiler sizes, at the suggestion of the different installers, ranging from 130 kW to 199 kW. Support was provided by Resource Efficient Scotland to undertake a detailed heat load assessment on the business, which identified that a 150 kW boiler would adequately meet the needs of the site. System design and metering advice was also provided. What's more, finance for the project was secured through a Resource Efficient Scotland SME loan funded by the Scottish Government.

Key benefits

Installation of a biomass boiler is expected to generate savings of € 27 000 and reduce carbon emissions by 39.5 tonnes of CO2 equivalents. With an investment of € 124 400 required for the upgrade work, the company could see a payback on capital investment within 4.6 years.