9. We are (effectively) zero-consumers of non-renewable energy...

Over the Summer of 2012 we had an extension to house our new heating and water systems. We have replaced the two oil boilers with a biomass (wood pellet) boiler. Our new boiler room houses the boiler and a 4-tonne hopper that contains the pellets.

The new wood pellet boiler, hopper, and HW tank (boot for scale!).

The aim has been to drag Farlands into the 21st century, but with sustainable living as a major goal.

Farlands (House and Cottage) already had its 16 PV panels supplying some of its electricity (in aggregate making it a zero-sum consumer of electricity), enjoyed spring water and used septic tanks.

And it now has a wood pellet boiler supplying all of its (space) heating and hot water. In effect, we are zero-consumers of non-renewable energy.

Before deciding on biomass I considered all the options (eg heat pumps, wind energy), but biomass seemed to make the most sense.