Trianco Kerr wood burning boiler offers a practical alternative to increasing oil and gas prices

(27/10/2009)

Demand for greener heating fuel sources is rising rapidly. Wood burning boilers offer another alternative in reducing fuel bills and environmental impact. This alternative form of heating and hot water is efficient in that it uses a sustainable natural resource.

The Trianco Kerr wood burning boiler offers a proven and practical alternative in the face of increasing oil and gas prices, economic uncertainty and concern by households and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.

The Kerr boiler measures 97cm x 56cm x 97cm weighs 272kg and is best suited to installation in boiler rooms or utility rooms. Much of its capacity is taken up by the spacious firebox (66cm x 41cm x 91cm). A 33 centimetre easy-to-operate square cast-iron firedoor provides quick access to load the boiler with logs.

Producing an output of 70,000 BTUs/hr, sufficient to meet the heating and hot water needs of a sizeable four-bedroom house.

“The Kerr wood burning boiler provides a complete solution for both heating and hot water,” said Peter Ferguson, managing director or Trianco. “The initial capital cost is offset against long-term savings in energy costs and the positive environmental impact of using wood fuel from sustainable sources.”

The Kerr can take logs of up to 30 inches in length. Larger logs are recommended to reduce heat costs further; they burn more slowly so fewer are needed to maintain a steady heat source. Larger logs are also more energy efficient than biomass wood pellet alternatives. “In addition, to create wood pellets and wood chip, suppliers have to invest in expensive equipment and use energy to reduce logs to chips, which reduces the environmental benefits of using wood,” explains Trianco.

Wood fuels only release the amount of carbon dioxide that they absorb during growth so they will not cause any net increase in CO² into the atmosphere, unlike coal, oil or gas fuel sources. Wood fuels emit almost no sulphur dioxide, only low levels of nitrous oxides and low amounts of smoke when burned efficiently. The end product, wood ash, even makes a good fertiliser.

As well as replacing traditional heating systems in a property, the Kerr boiler can be linked to a building’s existing oil, gas or electric system. It can be used to heat not just houses but also garages, workshops, sheds, greenhouses, swimming pools and hot tubs.

A unique heat exchanger design reduces the units cleaning frequency. A tankless hot water coil or indirect water heater can also be used to provide domestic hot water.

Kerr is produced by a Canadian company which has been developing, oil and wood fuel boilers, mainly for the Canadian and US markets, for over 30 years. Trianco selected the Canadian-based specialist as its strategic partner for wood fired boilers on the basis of the innovative approach to developing greener heating equipment and the quality of products produced.

Peter Ferguson said: “Our Canadian partner has a well-established reputation for innovation in heating equipment that increases boiler efficiency and convenience.”

Related categories:  Boilers - Domestic   Energy Conservation   Residential applications