How to choose a solid fuel boiler for heating a private house

A solid fuel boiler is a modern, modified and improved version of traditional Russian stoves, which at all times served man as a means of cooking, a warm place to sleep, and also performed the main function - heating the room. Modern household boilers for solid fuels are capable of operating autonomously and do not depend on a centralized heating system, which in itself is the main advantage for non-gasified areas. That is why the choice of the boiler must be carried out extremely responsibly. However, in order to decide on how to choose the right long-burning boiler, you need to familiarize yourself with what are heating means that use solid fuel.

Solid fuel boiler: what is it?

The basic principle on which solid fuel boilers operate is to burn wood, coal, pallets, sawdust and other solid combustible materials in order to obtain maximum heat transfer. There are several features that distinguish solid-fuel heating device for long-burning from electric or traditional gas. First of all, it is worth noting the autonomy: the person who made the choice in favor of solid fuel boilers as an alternative to gas or electricity does not depend on communication services, which are subject to various breakdowns. In addition, their installation is relevant for regions cut off from the benefits of civilization.

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Solid fuel boiler: a choice according to the type of burning

In the modern market solid fuel boilers are represented by two types: classical and pyrolysis. Classic works on the principle of burning fuel, followed by heat. The principle of operation of the pyrolysis boiler is the afterburning of furnace gases emitted in the process of burning fuel.

In contrast to the classical version, pyrolysis is considered more advanced and has a high efficiency, ensuring efficient fuel combustion. In addition, solid fuel boilers with gasification have the ability to install power, lowered the requirements of the chimney, as well as equipped with a discharge fan, thereby providing increased efficiency and better burning fuel. However, solid fuel heating means of pyrolysis type of combustion are characterized by increased cost due to the fact that the internal structure of the boiler, along with increased requirements for dry fuel, creates additional difficulties in operation. To choose such a boiler for domestic use means to provide yourself with uninterrupted heat supply for many years.

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Production material

Solid fuel heating boilers can be divided into types according to the type of heat exchanger material. Cast iron, which is less susceptible to the quality of make-up water, is characterized by increased requirements for its temperature. In other words, when cold water is supplied to the return line of the heating system in a cast-iron heat exchanger, destructive processes may start, caused by a sharp temperature difference. In addition, due to the properties of metal, an increased burning time is provided.

The heat exchanger made of cast iron is much heavier than the analogue of steel, due to which the inertia of the entire heating system is increased: the time from the loading of firewood to the heat in the room increases significantly. However, in comparison with the others, cast iron heat exchangers do not require intensive cleaning of soot, the appearance of which does not affect the efficiency of fuel combustion, due to which it is recommended to choose such a boiler for large private houses.

Fuel loading method.

One of the main drawbacks of long-burning heat generators operating through coal, wood, briquettes and pallets is the need to continuously load the fuel for stable heat supply. The modern market of heating devices provides devices with manual or automatic feed, provided with special augers. The main advantage of automatic fuel supply boilers is their autonomy: loading the bunker once, the boiler will work for 2–5 days, depending on the size of the tank.

Volatility when choosing a solid fuel boilerRegulation of the air flow in the volatile boilers is carried out at the expense of the injection fan, controlled by the power unit. Thus, in the event of a power outage, the boiler will cease to perform its basic functions.

Single- and dual-circuit solid fuel boilers

Single-circuit domestic heating systems are designed exclusively for heating, while the presence of a second circuit allows for hot water, which is very convenient, especially for a private house. Before you choose one or another option, you need to think about whether you need hot water in your house: installing a hot-water heating device will avoid the need to heat water in various containers.

Advantages of solid fuel boilers

Solid fuel heating boilers have a number of indisputable advantages that will help to incline a person’s choice towards the acquisition of such a device for a private house. Among them it is worth highlighting:

• Full environmental safety;
• Availability and low fuel price;
• The ability to change power using the right fuels;
• High safety achieved through low power consumption and fuel safety.

Disadvantages of solid fuel boilers

Despite obvious advantages, every owner of a private house may face the disadvantages that all types of solid fuel boilers of long burning have. In most cases, they are associated with features of the heat generator, among which stands out:

• The need for frequent fuel loading;
• Smoke release in top loaded boilers;
• The need to constantly maintain the temperature of the water;
• Duration and complexity of heating during cold starts;
• Service Frequency.

However, most owners of country houses, before choosing household heat generators on solid fuels, prefer to become familiar with these shortcomings. Moreover, the advantages often overlap them. However, neglecting minuses in the future can lead to serious consequences.

Operating rules for solid-fuel heating devices

Before choosing the device you need to remember that long-burning heat generators operating at high power should not be left unattended in any way. When checking the draft or the presence of fuel in the heat exchanger, it is necessary to use protective gloves. Operation should be done exclusively by adults. In order to avoid fires, the fuel should be stored in a dry room at a distance of at least 1 meter from the heat exchanger.

For stable operation, the boiler must be cleaned every few months, since the ash that accumulates inside the heat exchanger can lead to a decrease in efficiency, and therefore the heating efficiency. To avoid this, you need to choose the right fuel, which is the key to long burning.

What you need to remember when choosing a solid fuel boiler?

Boilers made of cast iron, have increased reliability in comparison with steel counterparts. In addition, the principle of their work is that in case of failure of one of the sections of the heat exchanger, it can be replaced with a new one. However, the cast iron heat exchanger device makes it difficult to clean, however, the use of dry types of high-quality fuel helps to reduce the intensity of cleaning, which is especially important for a private house, which uses a long-term heat generator.

The steel solid fuel boiler for giving is characterized by simplicity of construction, however, it requires more frequent cleaning, as well as providing additional security measures. However, the modern market allows customers to choose a heat generator, featuring high technical characteristics, regardless of the material from which the boiler is made. To ensure stable operation, it is important to follow all the rules of operation prescribed in the instructions.