Choose from the following or scroll down the page to read both of the sections:

• The cost of fuel
• The cost of equipment

The costs of fuel - The following chart shows fuel prices per kWh (excluding VAT) from November 2008 (Provided courtesy of the Forestry Commission)

Prices are for guidance only and can vary significantly with geographical region, order quantities, overall contract size and duration, time of year, delivery distance and time, etc. The efficiency of the heating system is also important when calculating a kWh cost.

Logs are not included in the charts due to a wide variation in prices, from free to those who have access to their own wood, to the cost of logs bought in individual bags. An indicative price of logs purchased in bulk is £80 per 400kg load of well seasoned logs.

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The cost of equipment

Within each category of boiler (gas, oil, wood etc) there is a wide range of costs depending on size, efficiency, make, model etc.

The following is therefore given as a general indication only of what one might expect to pay for the type of boiler that would heat a typical three bed semi (around 15kW), excluding VAT:

• Condensing Gas or LPG Boiler - £500 to £600

• Condensing Oil Boiler - £1000 to £1100

• Solid Fuel (Coal) Boiler - £1400

• Coal or Wood Stove with back boiler to run 10 radiators - £600 to £700

• Pellet Stove (without back boiler) - £1400

• Log/Pellet Boiler - £4500

In addition there is the cost of the flue and installation-typically in the range of £1000 to £1500 plus VAT depending on the type of heating system installed. In addition there will be the cost of fuel storage to consider.