Chris Franklin, Chairman at Ranheat Engineering Ltd – a leading UK manufacturer of wood combustion equipment – continues his series of articles exclusively for Furniture and Joinery Production. This month, he writes further about spiralling costs for energy and what Ranheat has done at its own factory in Northampton.
Ranheat are well known for the manufacture and installation of industrial wood-fired boilers. Recently, the company has made a significant investment in solar energy.
Most factories have large roofs, and Ranheat were fortunate that one faced due south, making an ideal candidate for solar panels. The decision to go solar was made before the USA Iranian war started, and the installation was timed with the replacing of the existing roof with “Kingspan” insulated roof sheets with 115mm of insulation. This will help to ensure that the factory is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
The above photo was taken on a cloudy day, but the panels still produced enough to run the factory.
Solar works particularly well for Ranheat as it doesn’t have a production line, but makes individual projects for its customers. This means the machinery is not in constant use. By the installation of solar generation, Ranheat is saving money and the environment at the same time.
If Ranheat had wood-waste available, it would put in one of its systems, so the next best thing was solar.
Contact Ranheat for further information on all types and sizes of industrial woodburning equipment from 75 kW upwards. Ranheat also make spares and services and repairs other makes of woodburning boilers and heaters.
01604 750005
