Page last updated on 17th August 2026
Biomass energy: definition, pros, cons and energy savings
As Great Britain works to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, biomass energy is one example of a renewable energy source that uses organic materials to produce heat or power. But what is biomass energy and how does biomass energy work in practice?
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This guide explains how biomass energy works, its advantages and disadvantages, and whether biomass energy could help your household save energy while reducing its environmental impact.
Biomass energy definition
Energy generated from recently living organic matter, such as plants, trees, food waste or animal waste. In other words, the biomass energy is energy made from organic materials that were recently alive.
Biomass energy can be produced using materials such as:
Plants
Trees
Animal waste, such as manure
Household waste, such as food and sewage
Biomass energy is generally considered renewable when it comes from sustainably managed sources. The Energy Saving Trust considers ‘sustainably managed’ to mean when organic material is regularly replaced by new growth and produced in a way that supports biodiversity. In practice, that means materials such as wood must be replenished through regrowth or responsible waste management.
The biomass energy definition includes energy production at both household and grid level. For example, heating a home using a wood-burning stove or biomass boiler is a form of biomass energy. At a larger scale, biomass power stations can generate electricity that is fed into the grid and used to supply homes and businesses.
How does biomass energy work?
Biomass energy works by converting organic materials, such as wood, food waste or plants, into usable heat, electricity, or fuel. These materials contain stored energy from the sun, which plants absorb as they grow. When biomass is burned, broken down or processed, that stored energy is released and can be used to heat homes, generate electricity or produce biofuels.
There are several ways biomass energy can be produced, like burning wood to create heat, or using organic waste to produce gas that can be turned into energy.
Biomass energy can be considered useful because it allows organic materials (including some waste products) to be used as a source of energy, instead of being sent to a landfill. When biomass is sourced and managed sustainably, it can be understood as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels.
Biomass energy can be used for:
Heating individual homes through biomass boilers and stoves.
Generating electricity for the grid.
Fuel for vehicles.
Heating water for bathing or cooking.
Biomass energy: pros and cons
Like any energy source, biomass has both benefits and limitations. We’ve compiled a list of them below:
Biomass energy advantages:
Renewable, when managed sustainably
Biomass energy can be renewable when the source material is replaced or replenished. For example, if biomass energy is produced using wood from trees, new trees must be planted and allowed to grow in their place.
This makes biomass different from renewable energy sources such as tidal power, where the source of energy does not need to be replaced. As the Energy Saving Trust explains, biomass is treated as renewable when it comes from sustainably managed sources and the material used is replenished.
Lower carbon
When sourced and used responsibly, biomass energy can be a lower-carbon option than some fossil fuels.
For example, according to the Energy Saving Trust, who are an impartial and trusted organisation for energy efficiency, replacing a home coal-fired heating system with a domestic biomass boiler could save up to 11 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
It is worth noting that biomass is not automatically carbon neutral. Its overall carbon impact depends on how the fuel is grown, harvested, transported and burned, and on whether it meets sustainability standards.
Recycling and waste reduction
Biomass energy can make use of organic materials that might otherwise go to waste. Food waste, agricultural waste, forest by-products and sewage can all be used in biomass production.
Instead of being sent to landfill, these materials can be converted into useful energy for heating, electricity or fuel. This is a general explanation of how biomass can support waste reduction by making use of organic by-products.
Disadvantages to biomass energy?
Not completely free of emissions
While biomass energy can be a lower-carbon energy source, it is not emission-free. Burning biomass releases carbon dioxide and can also release pollutants that may affect local air quality if emissions are not properly controlled.
Sustainable production
Biomass fuel is only sustainable if it comes from a sustainable source. If trees are cut down without replanting, crops are grown in ways that damage ecosystems, or biomass fuel is transported over long distances, the environmental benefits can be reduced.
This is why responsible sourcing is central when weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of biomass energy.
Energy density
Biomass has a lower energy density than fossil fuels like gas, oil and coal. This means more biomass fuel is usually needed to produce the same amount of energy.
For households, this can also mean needing more space to store fuel such as logs, wood chips or wood pellets.
Cost for individual homes
For home heating systems, biomass energy is one of the more expensive options. Depending on the type of biomass, it can have significant upfront and ongoing costs.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a UK government initiative that provides grants for home biomass boilers in England and Wales. Biomass boilers are only eligible where the property is in a rural location and is not connected to the gas grid.
Similarly, the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan also offer grants for biomass boilers. You will have to provide evidence that other zero-emission heating systems, such as heat pumps, aren’t suitable for your property.
Please visit the relevant websites linked above for further information about eligibility.
How does biomass energy work with smart meters?
Smart meters measure your mains electricity and gas use. A standard smart meter cannot measure biomass fuel itself or the heat produced by a biomass stove or boiler. However, if your home also uses mains gas or electricity alongside a biomass system, a smart meter can still help you monitor that mains energy use more closely.
Smart meter data can also support a more flexible energy system by helping suppliers and network operators balance supply and demand more efficiently. In the long term, that can support better use of electricity generated from a range of sources, including large-scale renewable generation.
In short, smart meters do not track biomass fuel, but they can still help households understand and manage any mains electricity or gas they use alongside biomass heating.
Biomass energy FAQs
Is biomass energy renewable?
Biomass energy can be renewable when the organic materials used to produce it are replaced or replenished. For example, wood-based biomass is only renewable if trees are replanted and forests are managed sustainably. If biomass is sourced irresponsibly, it may not be considered truly renewable.
Can biomass energy be used at home?
Yes, biomass energy can be used at home through systems such as biomass boilers, pellet stoves and wood-burning stoves. These systems can provide heating and, in some cases, hot water. However, they may not be suitable for every property due to cost and storage needs.
What is the difference between biomass and biofuel?
Biomass is the organic material used to produce energy, such as wood, food waste or manure. Biofuel is a fuel made from biomass, such as biogas, biodiesel or bioethanol. In simple terms, biomass is the source material, while biofuel is one possible product made from it.
If you're interested in different sources of renewable energy, take a look at our guides below:
How do solar panels work?
What are wind farms: all about wind energy
What is hydropower and how does it work?
Learn more about how smart meters can help the environment.
What is global warming and what can I do about it?
Benefits of smart meters for Great Britain and the environment
Benefits of smart meters for customers.