Years of isolation through a network of outmoded roads have been transformed, with the passing of time, to a positive element, because today they offer the Sierra de Gata its most appreciated value: uniqueness. Individuality preserved in its constructions, its lifestyle, its customs…which in turn converts it into the ideal destination for residential tourism.

Thousands of Europeans are searching throughout the European Union for corners which offer distinctive values in which to establish themselves, either temporarily or permanently. Elements such as a benign climate, well-preserved natural surroundings and uniqueness of the habitat…these become factors for the possible resident to make basic decisions.

To these we can add a correct healthcare network, adequate means of communication, suitable citizen security which will give the stability to convert to a new citizen of the Sierra de Gata. Now all these decisive factors are available in this region.

In order to strengthen the scale of circumstances of the authenticity of the territory, the Sierra de Gata Cultural Park project aims to legally lay the foundations for the conservation and promotion of the heritage of the region, through the participation of all the social agents, educational activities, economical development and tourism.

This initiative, instigated by the Provincial Council of Cáceres, the Association (Mancomunidad) of the Municipalities of the Sierra de Gata, the local action group, Adisgata, the business association Turisgata and the Directorate-General of Tourism of the Extremadura Government will assure us a designated area, where the cultural and natural values which allow the integral and integrated growth will be categorized.

We at Casiga are conscious of this qualitative and quantum leap forward which the implementation of a project of this size means for the Sierra de Gata , and makes us wonder what we can contribute towards the accomplishment of the proposed objectives.

The way we see it, as builders devoted to this region, our commitment must be based on increasing, if possible, respect for the traditional building processes in our restoration labours, giving maximum presence and value to the basic materials which constitute the roots of the original architecture: wood and stone, by applying the strictest rules of sustainability to our work methods as tools for the protection of our most cherished possession: the environment, at the same time offering legal security to whoever is attracted to coming to live in our region, offering support and continued assistance in the handling of administrative procedures, simplifying the process, guaranteeing the investment with the fulfilling of budgets and time schedules: in fact, making the whole process of settling in easy.

Welcome to the Cultural Park of Sierra de Gata.

In these times when energy costs suppose an important percentage of our monthly bills it’s vital to choose which system we are going to use for hot water and heating in our home or business and what alternative options we have. One of the possibilities we have in order to reduce energy costs, in addition to cooperate with the environment, is the Biomass boiler.

Biomass boilers are those which use fuel proceeding from renewable sources in order to function, which in turn earns them the fame of being the cleanest on the market. Wood pellets, coming from forest residue or the waste from the timber industries, olive pits, nutshells, firewood, etc are the sources of natural energy used by the Biomass boilers.

The bio-fuel off which the Biomass boilers feed is more economical than the traditional fuels (gasoil, propane, etc… ) their prices being also more stable over the years, as they do not depend on the prices fixed by other countries nor by fluctuation in rates of exchange.

Their high calorific power for unit of weight (reaching 4.200 kcal/kg) makes bio-fuel a rentable and renewable form of energy and give the Biomass boiler a calorific output of almost 100%.

Let’s make a comparison with a fossil fuel. One kilo of pellets has half the combustible power of a litre of gasoil, which means that 2 kilos of pellets or olive pits are necessary to produce the same energy as one litre of gasoil. One m3 of pellets weigh approx. 650 kg. In this way, if in one year we consume 2.000 litres of gasoil, we would need 4.000 kg of pellets or olive pits, which would take up 6 m3. All we have to do now is study the prices of one or other fuel source to begin to recognize the first benefit of Biomass boilers: a drastic reduction in energy costs of your home.

Now choose your boiler according to the fuel you wish to use:

Pellet boilers: they only use a fluid type of fuel, like pellets or olive pits, which are introduced into the boiler via suction or continuous screw rotation. These are the most popular for domestic use.

Poly-combustible boilers: they can use all kinds of ground bio-fuel, but need a larger fuel deposit. These are larger and more powerful.

A Biomass boiler works on a similar basis to a gas one. The fuel burner burns the pellet with which it is fed, thus generating a horizontal flame which enters the boiler, in a similar way to a gasoil one. The heat which is generated during the combustion is transmitted to the water circuit in the heat exchanger inside the boiler. The resulting hot water is used for heating and domestic use, heating swimming pools, etc…The use of these boilers does not interfere with heating systems such as under-floor or radiators…

Biomass boilers need a container for storage of the bio-fuel, to be localised near the boiler. From this, a continuous or suction screw feeder takes it to the boiler where combustion takes place. Pellet fuel must be at an angle or 45º for the correct feed into the boiler.

When Biomass burns, it produces a small amount of ash (less than 1%) which is usually collected automatically in a tray which should be emptied about 4 times a year.

In order to optimize the function of the Biomass boiler, we can install an accumulator, which stores the heat in a similar fashion to that of solar powe

If we mentioned before the cost of fuel as one of the great benefits of the installation of Biomass boilers, it’s not the only advantage: it is also a clean and safe energy.