How expert service and maintenance can save your organisation time and money

The 5 Key Benefits of using a biomass service engineer

With the introduction of the HETAS Approved Biomass Maintenance Scheme (HABMS), you must get your boiler serviced at least once a year by an accredited engineer to qualify for RHI payments. Investing in expert care for your biomass boiler will also pay dividends in boiler performance – minimising boiler downtime and maximising heat output – meaning greater Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI) returns.

Here’s our five key benefits of signing up to a regular Service and Maintenance plan, helping get the very best out of your biomass boiler.

RHI payments are only made when the boiler is operational. Therefore any periods of breakdown will prove costly. When a boiler is running efficiently, it requires less fuel to produce the same heat output as an inefficient boiler. In effect this makes the cost of fuelling the boiler lower for the same amount of RHI returns. Ensuring high boiler efficiency is a key part of any maintenance plan.

The HETAS Approved Biomass Maintenance Scheme (HABMS) sets a standard for biomass boiler maintenance. It requires that all RHI recipients must get their boiler serviced at least once a year by an accredited biomass service engineer. Putting your biomass boiler into the hands of a specialist engineer is one of the best ways to maximise your RHI payments. A regular, reliable supply of good quality biomass fuel is also crucial.

Boilers which are not serviced regularly run the risk of developing significant problems. These can have a considerable impact on boiler operation. A biomass service engineer will spot any signs of issues developing. These can include the build-up of ash or clinker before it becomes a problem.

The combustion chamber, the heat exchanger and flue system surfaces can be affected by ash deposits. Most automated biomass boilers have automatic heat exchanger cleaning mechanisms which clean some of the overall surface. These components gather ash over time restricting the flow of the flue gasses, reducing boiler efficiency and output.

You will need to clean your biomass boiler regularly and check for blockages or build-ups of fuel. If your boiler does not have an automatic ash cleaning function then you will need to clean it and remove the ash yourself. If your boiler is self-cleaning then you will only need to empty the ash bin. Some boilers have an indicator on the control panel that will let you know when the ash needs to be emptied.

Under new HETAS rules, you must get your biomass boiler serviced at least once a year by an engineer accredited by HABMS to qualify for RHI payments. At AMP, our 35+ engineers are registered with the Scheme.

Biomass boilers can be more complex than other boilers. That’s why specialist biomass service engineers understand that boilers using wood chip and pellet need regular attention when it comes to filling, cleaning and fuel delivery. By signing up to a regular service and maintenance plan you will put your heat installation into the hands of experts who will also be on call for emergency repairs. At AMP, we provide 24/7 support through our nationwide network of engineers. We pride ourselves on our quick response times to emergency call-outs.

A service should include an inspection and cleaning of specific parts, paying attention to seals, as well as replacing any worn parts. Experts will also look out for any signs of issues developing. These include the build-up of ash or clinker which can cause serious operational problems.

What’s included in the service?
• a general inspection
• cleaning of airway ports
• inspection and cleaning of the heat exchanger and combustion chamber
• all seals and bearings checked, replaced and/or greased where necessary
• replacement of worn components
• inspection and testing of all safety equipment
• inspection of associated fuel equipment
• flue gas analysis to check combustion efficient

If your fuel type changes over time, the boiler settings will need to be adjusted appropriately to match the fuel type and quality. This is something which specialist engineers will check during a regular service. It’s also another good reason to stick with a reputable fuel supplier. It’s important to maintain a consistent quality of biomass wood chip or pellet too.

Specialist engineers will optimise your boiler for the type of fuel you are using. This will also help improve overall boiler efficiency, ensuring a cost-effective and reliable heat supply.

Expert care will help ensure that your biomass heating system is operating efficiently, using less fuel to deliver more heat on demand. An efficient running boiler will help optimise performance and increase RHI payments.

Improving boiler efficiency is one of the most important things a specialist biomass service engineer will work on. This will help ensure that you get best possible value for money from your biomass boiler. Expert care can even extend the lifespan of your heating system. Inefficient biomass boilers will use too much fuel, which will prove costly in the long term.

An experienced biomass service engineer will also look at the design of your biomass heat installation and whether this is having any negative impact on efficiency. They will often make suggestions on improving the design if you are concerned that it is not working as efficiently as expected. Even making small adjustments can help boost efficiency. At AMP, our engineers are adept at dealing with all the major boiler manufacturers and carry a wide range of spare parts.

What Service & Maintenance Plan is right for you?

There are annual, biannual and quarterly Service & Maintenance plans on the market to choose from. Reputable biomass heat businesses such as AMP will recommend which plan is best for you. This will depend on a number of factors including your boiler type and heat usage. At AMP, we pride ourselves on our transparent and fair pricing. We only charge our fee on completion of your annual service or your first service if you are on a biannual or quarterly plan.

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AMP is the UK’s leading biomass heat services supplier. We manage thousands of biomass boilers for businesses and organisation throughout the United Kingdom. Combined with the largest network of specialist biomass service engineers nationwide, you can rest assured that we’ll get the best out of your biomass boiler. Our experts are here for you, when and where you need us.

Get in touch today
If you’d like to learn more about AMP’s Service & Maintenance plans, we’re at the end of the phone ready to talk to you. Call 0800 157 7331 or email hello@ampcleanenergy.com