What are the benefits of using wood as fuel?
- When more wood is grown than is used as fuel, there will be a balance between the absorption and emission of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
- Using woodfuel instead of fossil fuel therefore reduces carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere
- Generating heat from recovered clean wood such as joinery waste or pallets and tree prunings (often referred to as arboricultural arisings or 'arb' arisings), reduces landfill, turning waste into an energy source.
Are these long term cost savings
- Using wood could save money in the long term. Boiler running costs compare with oil or gas boilers and government grants may offset high installation costs.
- Approximately 80% of boiler running costs are associated with fuel costs.
What about energy security, food security and environmental sustainability?
- Wood is a reliable, competitively priced source of locally produced energy.
- Our woodlands can support projected woodfuel demands without taking land out of agriculture.
- Woodfuel can sustain woodland management by utilising the parts of trees that previously no-one wanted.
- When woodland is cleared, Government regulations insist on replanting. Details on applying for a felling licence can be found on our Grants and Regulations pages.
Will it help create new jobs?
- New woodfuel supply chains will create local jobs and revitalise forest dependent businesses. Woodfuel works best at a local scale. For examples of woodfuel operations and installations in Yorkshire and The Humber see our case studies page.
