Inzonex
Carbon Hub / Practices / Alternative fuels
Industrial heat

Compare alternative heat sources

Use current site, supplier and regulatory inputs to compare delivered heat cost, emissions, capacity and operational risk.

Compare the inputsCalculate current heat loss
01

Compare options on the same boundary

Use the same system boundary for every option. Compare useful heat delivered to the process, not the purchased energy price alone.

RouteCost inputsEmissions inputsEngineering checks
Natural gasFuel price, boiler efficiency, carbon costMetered fuel use and applicable emissions factorCombustion, supply and carbon-price exposure
BiomassDelivered fuel, conversion, storage and handlingFuel classification and sustainability evidenceAir emissions, fuel quality and supply security
Heat pumpElectricity price and coefficient of performanceElectricity factor for the reporting methodSource temperature, sink temperature, electrical capacity
Direct electricElectricity price and conversion efficiencyElectricity factor for the reporting methodGrid connection, demand and process control
HydrogenDelivered hydrogen and conversion efficiencyProduction-route evidence and reporting rulesAvailability, storage, burners and safety case

Prices and emissions factors are deliberately not pre-filled. Use current contracts, supplier evidence and the factors required by the applicable reporting scheme.

02

Prepare the decision in the correct order

  1. Measure the current useful heat demand and operating profile.
  2. Quantify avoidable losses from exposed surfaces, steam, condensate and distribution.
  3. Confirm the remaining temperature, control and reliability requirements.
  4. Compare full-life cost, emissions boundary, connection work and safety requirements.
  5. Record assumptions and sensitivity ranges for approval.

Use the heat-loss calculators and Heat Explorer to assess exposed equipment before sizing a replacement heat source.

Inzonex removable modular insulation on industrial equipment
Equipment heat loss

Measure exposed hot surfaces

Use measured surface area, temperature and operating hours to calculate heat loss from boilers, kilns, heat exchangers, valves and pipework. Inzonex supplies removable modular insulation for equipment that requires maintenance access.

  • Design target: surface temperature at or below 45 °C, subject to the application and design review
  • Claimed heat-loss reduction: up to 96%, subject to the measured boundary and insulation specification
  • Removable construction for inspection and maintenance access
  • Calculation record available for the selected equipment and operating conditions

Do not add a calculated reduction to an emissions report until the reporting boundary, factor, implementation date and verification method have been approved.

03

Questions

Is biomass cheaper than natural gas for industrial heat?
It depends on the delivered fuel price, conversion efficiency, storage, handling, maintenance and applicable sustainability rules. Compare total delivered heat cost using current supplier quotations and the site's operating profile.
Is electrification cheaper than gas?
Calculate the cost per unit of useful heat. Use the contracted electricity price, measured or manufacturer-supported efficiency, required temperature lift, operating hours, connection cost and demand charges. Do not compare fuel and electricity prices without conversion efficiency.
What should come before any fuel switch?
Confirm the required heat load and remove verified avoidable losses before sizing replacement equipment. This can reduce required capacity, but the reduction must be calculated from site measurements.
Source: Inzonex Carbon Hub — inzonex.co.uk/carbon · prices dated as shown on each figure · schedule per Regulation (EU) 2023/956 · indicative analytics, not compliance advice.