what to do with boiler shut down for few days

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jeepmedic

jeepmedic

Burning Hunk
Mar 7, 2012
115
Cashton, WI
Newb question..

I have a Royal Furnace 6200 outdoor wood boiler. This will be my first spring with this system and have never had wood heat before, as our new home came with the OWB.

This week it is supposed to be in the lower 70s and I dont need to run the heat at all.

My question is do I let the fire burn out, turn the boiler unit off, AND turn off the circulating pump/shut valves all at once, even if I will probably use the heat again next week if it gets colder ?

OR shoud I just let the fire burn out and turn off the unit, and leave the circulating pump on with keeping valves open ?

The user manual is ok...but doesnt cover a temporary shut down for just a few days.

Thanks !!!!
 
I always just leave it. On a few days you 'll need heat again so fire it up. It's a good time to get rid of the ash and clean it up some. Wood is some very dirty heat. I burned 2 small loads yesterday. Today it's 1 load going right now. Most of this week the same.
 
I take the other approach but my wood is a little green right now so take it for what it is worth. I have shut mine down because my oil boiler, when ambient temps are going to be > 50 degrees for a stretch, is much more efficient using only what it needs without the added creosote from a wood boiler idling all day. Otherwise I'd let my wood boiler simmer all summer long. Just my thoughts. Please don't start throwing heat and dhw numbers at me but if I'm wrong let me know what that magic temp is.
 
B33, but you are still burning oil..... This is where storage would be a huge benefit to you, where you have one hot burn a day in this weather, which would eliminate the idling and creosote.
 
Jeepmedic
If you are going to light it again, don't close valves. Whenever you do close valves, place a tag or red flag on it so you don't forget to open them before lighting a fire. I only close valves to do repairs, I don't close valves in the off season, i only turn off circs.
 
Snow Traveller, I agree 100%. Storage is the way to go and then I would use the wood to heat DHW all summer. Just not there yet unfortunately.
i did notice you have the same EB-150 as I do. And 800G storage. How does that work out for you. I'd be curious to know your wood usage in a year, assuming you use it all year long. And what are you using for storage? Would you ever think of using more storage? How long does the storage extend your burn in winter etc etc.
 
b33, I will pm you the data, we are off topic on this thread.
 
Thank you guys very much for all the info !!!!! It is very much appreciated !
 
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