How to choose a solid fuel boiler

The boiler can provide any room with a heating system. For this, various models can be used, among which solid fuel options are often used. They differ from others in their efficiency, no pipeline is needed to install the system, more often all equipment is independent of electricity and works with firewood, coal, briquettes and other materials. Devices are expensive, and installation is rather complicated, so you should know how to choose a solid fuel boiler in order to exclude possible difficulties and errors in the future.

The principle of operation and the device of a solid fuel boiler

Any solid fuel boiler works on the principle of burning wood, braces, coal or other materials. These are floor standing units that do not need to be plugged into an outlet. Their shape can be square, rectangular or cylindrical. Due to them, heating of the room is provided, and it is also possible to connect a water circuit to obtain hot water.

Often, the main components of the devices are:

• Furnace with a door.
• The grate.
• Ash pan and sash.
• Water jacket.
• Curtain.
• Heat exchanger.
• Chimney and damper.
• Control elements.
• Protection.
• Inlet and outlet connections.

The structural elements are almost always the same for different models, but there are certain differences that are caused by the views. The basic principle of operation of a solid fuel boiler is as follows:

• Material for combustion is fed into the combustion chamber. Loading is carried out manually or automatically.
• The fuel is ignited, and during combustion, the heat carrier is heated with the help of a heat exchanger.
• Hot water, either independently or through a pump, begins to be supplied through the heating system and can be supplied to the mixers.
• All combustion products are removed through the chimney.

If we are talking about pyrolysis models, then a minimum of oxygen is needed during combustion, therefore a gas appears that burns in the secondary chamber. This gives continuous burning on one tab.

The best manufacturers of solid fuel boilers

With the help of information from the article, it will be possible to learn about the correct choice of a solid fuel boiler. When choosing, it is important to take into account the types and main technical characteristics, but people with limited time can focus on the best manufacturers:

• Buderus is a German manufacturer that can offer a wide range of boilers of any type and purpose. Solid fuel models are available in different capacities and are suitable for heating a private house or other premises.
• Bosch is a well-known German brand offering classic models that do not depend on electricity.
• Ferroli is an Italian brand that creates domestic and private boilers. Solid fuel models run on coal, ditch or pellets. The choice is very large, and the quality of each product is high.
• SIME is an Italian manufacturer that has been operating for about 35 years and has gained great popularity.The products are sold in 50 world countries, models for coal and wood burning are offered to choose from.
• VIADRUS is a Czech manufacturer with a large selection of solid fuel boilers. It is characterized by a large selection, reliability and affordable pricing.
• Stropuva is a Lithuanian company that often offers innovations in its products. Of the latest innovations, a 40 kW boiler can be distinguished, which is able to work autonomously for 30 hours.
• Protherm is a Slovenian manufacturer offering customers high-efficiency cast iron models.
• Among the domestic firms are Ochag, Prometheus, Zota.

The brands described offer quality models that last a long time and always offer excellent options, because they value the client and reputation.

Types of solid fuel boilers

Solid fuel heating boilers are produced in different modifications, before buying, you should know the features of each model.

Classic solid fuel boilers

Modern models of the classic version are an excellent replacement for gas boilers. Such devices can be used anywhere, even far from the city and civilization. Often, the design does not require an electric power supply, the fuel is loaded manually, and the work is done using natural circulation. The controls are mechanical, but some manufacturers offer automatic fuel loading. This is often done for pellet models.

The devices use several methods to control the temperature. To do this, the user can use a damper that opens or closes the air supply, just add cold water to the supply or hot water return.

It is recommended to buy and install models for private homes, hotels, shops or warehouses.

Pros:

• Electricity independence
• Good heating efficiency, at 80%.
• High degree of versatility.
• High security.
• Cheap fuel.
• Simple to use.

Minuses:

• Installation can only be carried out in a separate room.
• It is necessary to prepare a place for storing combustible materials.
• The user will have to constantly service the equipment, which consists in loading and unloading.
• Mediocre comfort from use.

Long burning solid fuel boilers

Such models can be considered the most efficient; they are highly competitive with other devices. All the fuel that is put into the furnace will be bitter in the form of a candle, not a fire. An automatic valve plays a significant role in this system, which allows you to monitor traction. With its help, expansion or contraction is carried out based on the heating force.

On one tab of material for combustion, which weighs 50 kg, it will turn out to effectively heat 130 sq. m. within 30 hours. In addition, the fuel burns out almost completely, leaving no ash, so cleaning can be done once a week, and if you use firewood, then every 2 weeks.

Recommended for use in private homes, as well as commercial or household buildings.

Pros:

• Independence from electricity for many devices.
• The efficiency level is sufficient, within 85%.
• Long burning of wood.
• The efficiency is independent of the load.
• High degree of efficiency.
• Convenient use.

Minuses:

• Need to be serviced periodically.
• The need to create a platform for firewood or other heating material.
• In many models, the doors are not the most convenient.
• Overpriced.

Solid fuel pyrolysis boilers

Such systems are also called gas generators. It can be considered that the boiler is a modernization of the classical type. Inside there is a pair of chambers, which are connected by ceramic nozzles. One of them was used to fill fuel, which, when heated, begin to smolder, after which they decompose into coals and create gas. The second chamber serves to collect CO and burn it in the future in order to increase efficiency. It is fired up after oxygen is supplied, so the boiler allows you to use 2 types of fuel - gas and coal.When using it, be sure to take into account the moisture content of the fuel, which should not exceed 20%.

Pyrolysis models are characterized by increased power, high pricing, but excellent efficiency. Often, models are bought and installed in country houses, cottages and when there is a need for heating large areas.

Pros:

• The efficiency is about 90%.
• It turns out to achieve a large time interval between downloads.
• Firewood almost completely burns out, leaving a minimum of ash.
• Economical work.
• You can connect an indirect heating boiler.
• Automated control that makes it easy to use.

Minuses:

• For work, you should allocate a separate room for the installation and preparation of firewood.
• The need for constant service.
• Dependence on moisture content of fuel and electricity.
• If the load is not full, the combustion will be unstable.
• High pricing policy.

Solid fuel boiler selection parameters

It will be possible to understand which solid fuel boiler to choose for the house, knowing not only the possible types, but also the parameters of the equipment that you need to pay utmost attention to. Efficiency, productivity and so on depend on them.

Type of fuel

When choosing a great value, fuel plays out, it can be of different types, but you need to understand that after the coals, you should carry out daily cleaning from the zone, if you plan to use firewood, then the procedure can be carried out once a week, and briquette fuel needs cleaning every month.

It is wrong to think that any material can be put into solid fuel boilers for work and the power will not change. Many models are ready to work with different materials, but its power will be greatest only with a certain fuel, which is indicated by the manufacturer. The use of a product that does not fit the model reduces the efficiency by about 30%, and if the wood is wet, then the efficiency will decrease to 40%.

Efficiency and power

Boiler power will be important only if there is a high KDP. In this case, the fluctuations are within wide limits, depending not only on the type of heater, but also on the fuel. For example, classical installations give up to 80% of the efficiency, pyrolysis ones allow you to achieve about 90%, and the options for long burning are best of all - 95%.

An equally important indicator when choosing which you need to pay attention to is power. It is selected based on the area of ​​the house or a separate room that needs to be heated. For simplicity, it is recommended to use a simple rule - for every 10 sq. M. you need 1 kW. This parameter is suitable for buildings with ceilings up to 3 meters in height and optimal room insulation.

Thus, for heating 100 sq. m. power of equipment of 10 kW is required. Even in the case of -40 degrees outside the window, it will be possible to keep +18 degrees indoors. If the insulation of the building is weak, the climate is harsh, then it is better to buy options with a power reserve.

If it is necessary to connect the boiler to the water supply to obtain warm water, the capacity of the heat exchanger should also be taken into account. Experts recommend using a power of 24 kW or more for comfortable operation for a 2-circuit boiler. Accurate calculations can be made by masters who take into account the parameters of construction and heating.

Heat exchanger materials

This figure includes only a couple of basic options: steel and cast iron. It is difficult to answer which will be better, since the choice depends on personal preferences, financial capabilities and conditions of use. Manufacturers can offer both options.

When choosing, you need to know the pros and cons of the systems. Cast iron heat exchangers include the following advantages:

• The assembly is carried out from several parts, which simplifies transportation and installation, in addition, if the section is damaged, it is easy to replace it, therefore the service life of the boilers is more than 20 years.
• During use, cast iron is covered with iron oxide, which is dry rust, but it does not develop, but provides additional surface protection from negative factors. In addition, the metal is not afraid of corrosion, due to which replacement is very rare.
• Cast iron products can store heat for a long time, but the heating of the metal is slow.

Cons of a cast iron heat exchanger:

• Large mass.
• The fragility is higher than that of steel models.
• There can be damage from thermal shock, therefore, with a sharp change in temperature, cracks can form.

Pluses of steel heat exchangers:

• The high strength of the material, and due to the one-piece element, which is made at the factory, a complex device can be made to increase the efficiency.
• Resistant to sudden changes in temperature. Often steel models include automation that regulates the temperature itself without harming the system.
• Optimal weight.
• Fast warming up, but also faster than cast iron cooling will be.

Steel products have disadvantages:

• Corrosion susceptibility.
• Cracks can form in the welded joints if there is a frequent change in temperature.
• It is impossible to carry out repairs and if deformed, a complete replacement of the heat exchanger will be required.

Cravings and energy addiction

Solid fuel boilers can be divided into non-volatile models, which have natural draft, as well as dependent devices with additional draft. The former can work autonomously, without connecting the pumps for which a power source is needed. Often this category includes classic types and models of long burning. They should be chosen by people who often turn off the light in the house or the network is unstable, but it is better to use boilers as backup.

The second option includes a fan in the design that helps oxygen to penetrate into the combustion chamber. Many pyrolysis devices have such an implementation, as well as models of long-term combustion, which require pellets. With the help of the control unit, all settings can be easily set and controlled.

Appointment

Units can be single-circuit, which serve exclusively for heating the house, but an indirect heating boiler can be connected to them. Also on sale there are models for 2 circuits, which in addition provide hot water. This type is convenient for use, but you need to take into account the parameter for calculating the power. In addition, manufacturers offer installations with a hob and other options.

What else to consider

Before buying such heating equipment, any person needs to understand whether the boiler will be the main or backup source. If the device is purchased as a backup, then it is imperative to install an expansion tank immediately, than to improve the device after installation.

If in the future it is planned or there is a possibility of switching to gas fuel, then it is better to look at the models that can be changed. Many classic models can be converted to gas operation by mounting a burner. This is convenient, but the efficiency of the unit will be significantly reduced, since it was not produced for gas operation.

Which is better to choose a solid fuel boiler

After examining all the information about boilers, you can make some conclusion, which is based on the opinion of experts:

• If it is possible to inexpensively purchase firewood, coal or briquettes, experts advise using universal installations.
• If there is a lot of time for constant loading of the furnace, then it is recommended to opt for classic devices. They will cost less, but have a high level of reliability, since the design is the simplest.
• For heating large rooms, pyrolysis types should be chosen, although they are expensive, they can provide long-term combustion with one furnace load.
• A steel heat exchanger is sufficient as an additional source of heat. This option is not suitable for use if operation is planned throughout the winter.In this case, it is better to choose cast iron types.
• If the house will additionally connect hot water using a boiler, you need to give preference only to double-circuit structures or buy models for 1 circuit and an indirect heating boiler.

Solid fuel boilers for heating are an affordable way to heat any room. They can be used even in the most remote areas from civilization. If we consider this option for a long period, then the technique turns out to be relatively cheap to use and completely autonomous. Despite this, the owners will have to come to terms with certain disadvantages, including control, frequent maintenance, manual fuel loading and the complexity of transportation to the site.