Options on the smaller side

Bluelagoon888 · Jan 29, 2016

Hi

I'm looking at options on the smaller end of wood gasifiers. My house uses only about 25 KBTU/hr presently, with a possible future addition bringing me up to 35K in the future. I spend about $3000 / year on heat and hot water, so if I want a system that has a reasonable payback time of 5-7 years, I need to try to stay around 15K for the install. That seems challenging. But perhaps do-able with a smaller gasser.

Here are some that I have considered so far. Any pros/cons? Any I have missed?

EKO 25
- Purchased in US: $4500 USD
- Purchased in Canada: $7250 CAD
Vedolux 40 UB
- I think about $5000 USD
Tarm Solo Bonus 30 -- I missed the sale they were having and they tell me now it is not saleable due to EPA regs
Froling 20/30
- I have run across a slightly used one for $5,500 USD.

Any others I should think about?

RE the Froling....I have read through the forum regarding lambda controls and at that price it seems like a good deal. However it uses 150-200 watts of power while running. If it runs for 5 hours per day, that's adding about 20% to my daily electricity consumption. I burn propane to make electricity in winter, at a cost of $1500 / winter or so, so I'm a bit concerned about that. On the other hand, if I could have enough storage to make it burn flat out, maybe not such a big deal.

The other thing I worry about is computer boards frying 10 years from now and no available replacement parts. I'd love to think I could get 20 years out of one of these systems.

Thanks!

Richard

maple1 · Jan 29, 2016

Well, if it's simple you want, & as little power used as possible - the Vedo 40 would be at the top of that list.

I have one, going into year 4 with it, no complaints at all. You need dry wood (as with all I guess though, but maybe moreso since it depends on natural draft), and enough chimney. Mine is about 30', 7" 'Class A'. And, storage is an absolute must.

If I was doing it all over again, the big fly in the ointment would be the exchange rate. With the way it is right now, you might be looking at the same price for a Vedo, and the Froling - the Froling can be bought from Canada. (Talking new units, that is).

I would also suspect Tarm is coming out with a replacement for the Bonus - that's just speculation.

Karl_northwind · Jan 29, 2016

Check out the Heatmaster G-100. it's pretty small, but your heat load may be too. Dry wood is a must. They're pretty easy to install, like a conventional OWB, or are UL listed for indoor install. I don't know if buying a made in Canada boiler will help the taxes, but it's made in MB.
at least worth a look. it's by far the smallest of the outdoor gasifiers.

Bluelagoon888 · Jan 29, 2016

maple1 said:
Well, if it's simple you want, & as little power used as possible - the Vedo 40 would be at the top of that list.

I have one, going into year 4 with it, no complaints at all. You need dry wood (as with all I guess though, but maybe moreso since it depends on natural draft), and enough chimney. Mine is about 30', 7" 'Class A'. And, storage is an absolute must.

If I was doing it all over again, the big fly in the ointment would be the exchange rate. With the way it is right now, you might be looking at the same price for a Vedo, and the Froling - the Froling can be bought from Canada. (Talking new units, that is).

I would also suspect Tarm is coming out with a replacement for the Bonus - that's just speculation.

Hi Maple1, yeah, the Vedo's have been on the top of my list for a long while....The exchange rate is really a killer. Wish I had pulled the trigger on this last year but just didn't have the funds.

Bluelagoon888 · Jan 29, 2016

Karl_northwind said:
Check out the Heatmaster G-100. it's pretty small, but your heat load may be too. Dry wood is a must. They're pretty easy to install, like a conventional OWB, or are UL listed for indoor install. I don't know if buying a made in Canada boiler will help the taxes, but it's made in MB.
at least worth a look. it's by far the smallest of the outdoor gasifiers.

Thanks! I will check that out.

huffdawg · Jan 30, 2016

Bluelagoon888 said:
Hi

I'm looking at options on the smaller end of wood gasifiers. My house uses only about 25 KBTU/hr presently, with a possible future addition bringing me up to 35K in the future. I spend about $3000 / year on heat and hot water, so if I want a system that has a reasonable payback time of 5-7 years, I need to try to stay around 15K for the install. That seems challenging. But perhaps do-able with a smaller gasser.

Here are some that I have considered so far. Any pros/cons? Any I have missed?

EKO 25

Purchased in US: $4500 USD

Purchased in Canada: $7250 CAD

Vedolux 40 UB

I think about $5000 USD

Tarm Solo Bonus 30 -- I missed the sale they were having and they tell me now it is not saleable due to EPA regs

Froling 20/30

I have run across a slightly used one for $5,500 USD.

Any others I should think about?

RE the Froling....I have read through the forum regarding lambda controls and at that price it seems like a good deal. However it uses 150-200 watts of power while running. If it runs for 5 hours per day, that's adding about 20% to my daily electricity consumption. I burn propane to make electricity in winter, at a cost of $1500 / winter or so, so I'm a bit concerned about that. On the other hand, if I could have enough storage to make it burn flat out, maybe not such a big deal.

The other thing I worry about is computer boards frying 10 years from now and no available replacement parts. I'd love to think I could get 20 years out of one of these systems.

Thanks!

Richard

$2500 CAD for my EKO 40. with new unused controller , draft inducer , and fan capacitor.

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Options on the smaller side

Bluelagoon888

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maple1

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Karl_northwind

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Bluelagoon888

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Bluelagoon888

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huffdawg

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