Information - Woodfuel/Firewood

Woodfuel East has a searchable directory of local woodfuel suppliers here: http://www.woodfueleast.org.uk/SearchSuppliers.aspx

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BURNING WOOD FOR HEAT IS AS OLD AS CIVILIZATION.
Woodfuel East is encouraging the supply of woodchip from existing woodlands to local, small and medium-sized boilers for heat, although we will try and help you if you are interested in other aspects of woodfuel and biomass. We have a database with suppliers of logs, woodchips and pellets in the region or you can discuss your requirements with Woodfuel East staff.

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New European woodfuel standards are being introduced in stages which are replacing national standards. In brief - The Comite Europeen de Nominalisation (CEN) is the European committee for standardisation.  Its Technical Committee 335 - Solid Biofuels covers woody biomass and has set technical standards (CEN/TS) . These are now being upgraded to Euro Norms (ENs) which are the basis for the UK's standards.

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Used in an open fire logs can give off 20% of the available heat. Logs used in stoves give off 40% and  new generation boilers are around 80% efficient.
It is estimated that 60,000 tonnes of logs are used every year in the East of England. This is a well-established market and Woodfuel East supports the use of logs for highly-efficient boilers.

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Woodfuel East aims to encourage the use woodchips in modern boilers, with around 80% efficiency. The chips are produced from roundwood generated from thinning or felling operations in woodland. This uses parts of the tree that would not otherwise be used for other timber products such as sawlogs.
Woodchips are not as easy to handle as wood pellets, but they are cheaper to produce and can be used in automated boilers.  They are suitable for boilers where access and space for storage are not limiting factors.
Roundwood is usually air dried, until the moisture content is below 35%. It is then chipped and stored until use or supplied to the customer. Woodchips need to be the right size,  free from contaminants and have the correct moisture content.  
European and UK standards for woodchips are currently under development and for more information go to our Woodfuel -quality issues and standards page.

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Pellets, which are between 6-to-12mm,  are usually produced from wood residues which are passed through a grid at high pressure and high temperature.  This creates uniform and easy-to-handle pellets for the domestic or urban market. providing 80% efficiency.
They are not a priority for Woodfuel East, as their production does not encourage more woodland being brought back into active management.
There are pellet manufacturers in the East of England and the market is in the early stages of development.  For further information on pellet production or use, contact Renewables East. 

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