Wood chips as fuel

The advantage of choosing wood chips as fuel is that we can use most of what there is in our forests, even if it cannot be used for logs or pellets. Wood chips are inexpensive to produce and are often available locally. What is needed is a building for storing the wood chips and a tractor with a loader for refilling the store. If you are not able to buy ready-chipped wood, the alternative is to chip your own with a wood chipper. Many forest-owners and farmers are starting to supply wood chips so it pays to look around the area for a local supplier.

To achieve the greatest heating value, the wood chips should be dry. The moisture content should preferably not exceed 30%. Much of the material in the forest may well be used but you should try to avoid including leaves, sand and pine needles. The wood chips should be less than 50 mm in length.