Member Article

Booming biomass boiler business unveils Northern training centre

Washington-based Schiedel Chimney Systems has become the first company in the North to offer training courses on biomass boiler installations.

A surge in demand for domestic and industrial biomass boilers has caused the company to provide HETAS approved training to equip technicians to service the region’s needs.

Biomass boilers are environmentally friendly heating solutions that use agricultural, forest, urban and industrial waste to produce heat for the home or to heat water.

The Government’s Renewable Heating Incentive scheme is causing businesses to become increasingly aware of the importance of lowering their carbon footprint, which has led to a rise in interest in Schiedel Chimney System’s services.

The firm will offer training on solid fuel and biomass appliances, and trainees will be supported through from learning about the fuel to installing boilers and offering advice of maintenance.

Schiedel’s facility was kitted out by Northumberland-based business, re:heat and JP Westall Ltd. to bring the centre up to HETAS standards.

The company is one of only nine bases in the UK to offer this type of training, and the only site in the Northern half of the country.

Trainees will be equipped to install the carbon emission-reducing boiler to homes, schools, offices and large commercial properties.

David Wright, Marketing Manager at Schiedel said: “It is hugely important that anyone considering fitting a Biomass Boiler of any type, employs a qualified installer.

“So we have specifically launched these Biomass Courses to meet the needs of this growing sector of the market.

“By doing so we are ensuring that we have qualified technicians who have passed an approved course using the latest in biomass technology”.

Andrew Cosgrove owns his own business, Acos Renewable Energy, and completed the inaugural pre-opening course.

Mr Cosgrove has a decade of experience in the industry, and he explained the need for high-quality training.

He commented: “The HETAS course was very good and exceptionally informative; the instructor was excellent and very knowledgeable and there was a good mixture of both practical and theoretical education.

“The overall message was that to get the most out of a biomass boiler system the installer needs to get the job done right the first time, this is where gaining an accreditation is so valuable.

“The installer then needs to educate the customer on the system as well. This reduces problems down the track and gives the boiler longevity and real value for money.”

Schiedel’s course will have the capacity to train for companies throughout the North East and North West of England, Yorkshire and Southern Scotland.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .