Updating a housing association’s heating system to modern and eco-friendly alternatives is a topical subject that raises many questions and requires careful planning. Renewing the heating system can be a significant investment, but if carried out correctly, it can lead to long-term savings and improve the property's energy efficiency. Alongside traditional heating systems, more environmentally friendly options, such as pellets, wood, wood chips, and solar energy, have become available. How suitable are such heating solutions for a housing association?
Replacing a heating system in a housing association requires consideration and planning
Changing a heating system in a housing association requires many considerations. The most important are the system's economic benefits, environmental impact, ease of use, and suitability for the existing property. A change in the heating system offers residents sustainable ways to reduce energy consumption and improve the property's environmental footprint.
Before a decision is made, however, it is good to ask a professional for a detailed plan and cost estimate for the various alternatives. We at Kardonar can help – we have experience with numerous heating system replacements in housing associations and can take into account local regulations and any grants or subsidies that may influence the decision.
Pellet heating is suitable for a housing association either as the sole heat source or as a hybrid system
Pellets are compressed biomass, which is most often pressed wood. They are an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels, and their combustion produces low emissions.
Pellet heating is an automated and user-friendly solution that is perfectly suited for housing associations. A pellet boiler can replace a traditional oil or gas boiler, and it can be integrated into an existing heating system. Such a hybrid system is popular in housing associations. Pellet heating systems are available in various sizes, so both small and large housing associations can acquire pellet heating as a heating system. Storing pellets requires a dry and sheltered space.
Solar panels require a larger initial investment, but maintenance costs are low
Solar energy is a clean and renewable energy source that is increasingly used as an alternative for heating in housing associations. Solar thermal systems collect the sun’s heat energy, which can be used directly for heating or hot water production. Solar energy can also be used to support electric heating if, for example, the housing association uses electric radiators or floor heating.
Solar panels require a larger initial investment, but their maintenance costs are low and they offer the possibility of significant savings. In Finland’s weather conditions, it is recommended to include solar panels as part of a hybrid system together with another heating system. This way, the heating system functions flawlessly even during the darkest periods of winter.
Wood and wood chips are local and easily accessible fuels
Wood burning is a traditional and cost-effective method in areas where wood is easy to obtain. Modern wood boilers are also well-suited for housing associations. They are efficient and have optimized emissions, but they require regular maintenance and cleaning.
Wood chips come from pruned trees' stem wood, branches, and needles. Stem chips are made from stem wood that contains bark, which is suitable as energy wood during logging and forest management. Wood chip burning is particularly effective in large properties where the need for heating is continuous. It can be customized to the customer's needs using wood chip boilers and heating centers of various sizes. Wood chips require spacious storage and an automated feed system, making it a major initial investment. However, like other biomass-based heating methods, wood chips are a cheap fuel to operate and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
A hybrid system lowers the housing association’s heating costs
A hybrid system is perfectly suited to the needs of housing associations. Installation generally does not require major building alterations, and costs are lower than renewing the entire system. A hybrid system usually combines a traditional heating method with renewable energy. The benefits of a hybrid system in a housing association include, among other things:
- Lower heating costs
- Energy efficiency
- Smaller carbon footprint
A hybrid system can automatically optimize the use of heat energy between different heating forms. The benefits include, among other things, the fact that domestic wood fuels, such as firewood, wood chips, and pellets, are easily accessible, even locally.
We are happy to provide consultation for replacing a housing association's heating system
When replacing a housing association's heating system, it is recommended to consult industry experts who can help choose the most suitable solution for your specific housing association. With sustainable heating systems, the housing association will save on heating costs, but also improve eco-friendliness and reduce carbon emissions. We at Kardonar Bioenergy Solutions are happy to help find a suitable solution. Contact us and ask for more!