In the last few years it became impossible to get away from the hype about green technologies versus fossil fuel technologies. Solar panels, solar thermal and wind turbines have ruled the headlines with major projects undertaken around the world. However, let us not forget the humble wood burning stove. Although not as flashy as a gleaming white wind turbine rotating at a steady speed over a green hill or a high-tech solar photovoltaic cell generating electricity out of simple sun light, the wood burning stove has some important benefits to bring to the table.

In order to fairly evaluate biomass boilers, it is important to explain how they work. Biomass boilers burn wood, which is an organic fuel (hence the bio-fuel label), rather than fossil fuels that come from the ground (oil, gas, coal). The boilers burn untreated wood (such as logs, wood chips) and treated wood (most common being wood pallets).

The most effective fuel is wood pallets, which are highly compressed sawdust. This timber dust is a waste product that would otherwise be discarded into landfills. It is a by product of carpentry workshops, sawmills and joinery workshops. Because of the compression, the pallets pack a higher level of output to weight and require less volume or fuel to get the same amount of heat within the boiler, and still leave very little waste on the burners.

Fossil fuels are normally associated with global warming and climate change. When fossil fuels are burned (e.g. natural gas in your domestic boiler), they release CO2 as part of their natural chemical reaction. This gas was captured within the fuel for millions of years in underground deposits. By burning it now, we release this gas into the atmosphere. Biomass boilers are considered to be carbon neutral heating technologies, because they only release CO2 that was captured by the plant during its growth years, thus not bringing new CO2 into the global equation.

Here are some pointers on what to check before installing a biomass boiler:

* Wood supplier - it is much easier to run a biomass boiler if you have a local sawmill or carpentry workshop that can provide you with a reliable source of sawdust, wood chips or even wood pallets.

* Space consideration - unlike modern gas and oil boilers, a biomass boiler is larger in size and requires a large area nearby to store the wood. It is wise to plan for this space in advance.

* Chimney consideration - a biomass boiler requires a chimney, and more specifically a lined chimney that is designed for wood fuel. However, in most cases such lining can be retro-fitted to carry the smoke.

* Zone specific considerations - if your home is located in a smoke-free zone, you may need to focus on getting a unit that is 'exempted' under the 'Clean Air Act'. In any case, it is recommended to check with your local authority.

* Other considerations - It is wise to check with your local authority's planning department regarding fitting a flue in the property. This is very important in cases where the property is a listed building, or within a conservation area.

Tal Potishman, member of Heating Central, publishes articles about central heating, Maidstone plumbers, boilers, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save costs by advising on efficient heating