Micro CHP boilers explained | cost, savings, explanation

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Micro-CHP

Micro-CHP (micro combined heat and power) boilers are a new type of boiler which can heat your home and create electricity at the same time. They currently run off mains gas but it is hoped that in the not too distant future they will be run off biofuels which are more environmentally friendly. The boiler produces more heat than electricity with the ratio standing at around 6:1 in favour of the heat. In this article we will look at the different types of micro-CHP boilers available and discuss how much money can be saved by installing a model.

Micro-CHP Boilers Currently Available

The most common type of micro-CHP boiler is the internal combustion engine model. Interestingly, these are often lorry diesel engines which have been adapted to run on mains gas and are connected to an electricity generator. This type of boiler has the highest ratio of heat to electricity production of all micro-CHP units. However, due to their large size and the fact they are quite noisy, they are not normally sold to domestic properties.

The Stirling engine micro-CHP is the most common type model that can be installed into domestic households. The units are smaller and quieter than the internal combustion models but produce less electricity.

Fuel cell CHP boilers are the newest kind of model on the market and are only just being introduced to the United Kingdom. These boilers take the energy from fuels at the chemical stage rather than through the process of burning it. As it is such a new technology, it is not yet available to UK homeowners although it is hoped it will come onto the market within the new few years.

How Much Money can a Micro-CHP Boiler Save?

Micro-CHP boilers cost as much to purchase, install and maintain as standard boilers but they are eligible for payments from the Feed-In Tariff scheme which means owners are paid for the energy the boiler produces. The boiler will earn 11 pence for each kilowatt of energy that the boiler generates and a further 3.2 pence for any excess energy that is not used but exported to the national grid. For a standard UK household, this equates to around £500 a year. A homeowner should also notice a reduction in their electricity bill as the micro-CHP boiler will produce electricity which can be used throughout the property. Moreover CHP boilers will soon be eligible through the new Uk Green Deal government scheme-

Domestic micro-CHP boilers are a new technology which aims to produce both heat and electricity which can be used around the home. They are more environmentally friendly because they produce two different types of energy off one source. They should be able to run off biofuels in the future which will reduce their carbon footprint even further. There are 3 different types of micro-CHP boiler in production but the Stirling engine is the only real current option for domestic households. Such boilers can earn their owner £500 a year in Feed In Tariff payments as well as around £60 a year in electricity bills.