This forum has been a tremendous resource in helping us determine if a wood gasser is right for us... and I think it is but there are some "assumptions" I'm making based on hours of thread reading here that I wanted to just outright ask.
(Yes, some of these are searchable threads - but asking them in my own words makes me sure I "get it")
1) I know the difference between a face cord and full cord - but when you use the "estimation" tools based out there on current propane consumption and other factors and the tools, spreadsheets, whatever say "8" - is that face cords or cords? (Currently we heat with 100% propane - 2800 sqft + hot water + cooking + grill - 1100 gallons a year). I would "assume" it's 8 cords based on burning wood stoves over the years... but I could be VERY wrong (hence why I'm posting)
2) Rule of thumb people keep telling me is take your current furnace BTU and double for the gasser (92K high eff propane forced air... so 200K gasser)... but then I want to heat a 1200 sq ft shop on demand (maybe 3 times a week from ambient 20 degrees to 60 degrees - worst case) in winter and a future 600 sq ft green house on the shoulders of the season only. I would assume that 200K is still more than enough to do these things. Am I missing something... and consider question 3 in regards to this, 2 here is more of a statement
3) Everything I read here (and elsewhere) tells me this is a mostly a wasted effort (wasted may be too strong - how about inefficient) without thermal storage... Am I getting a correct read on that? And then - next question - is 500 gallons "enough"?
4) This is an observation that I have made and am looking to have it validated or rebuked... seems like gasser projects never end, are always in a state of "improvement", and end up being very expensive endeavors. Looks like most of you guys ultimately end up with a dedicated shed / shack / or section of existing barn where the "boiler room" migrates to. This puts your boiler very close to your wood storage... Yes?
5) Related to question #1 - if you had a limited supply of your own wood - but the local scene of "split, 'dried' and delivered" was very active and a strong supply easily obtained for $65/fc or less... would you still do this?
6) This last one is for any dedicated gasser fan that's still reading - do you like "your brand of boiler" - pros/cons...
(Yes, some of these are searchable threads - but asking them in my own words makes me sure I "get it")
1) I know the difference between a face cord and full cord - but when you use the "estimation" tools based out there on current propane consumption and other factors and the tools, spreadsheets, whatever say "8" - is that face cords or cords? (Currently we heat with 100% propane - 2800 sqft + hot water + cooking + grill - 1100 gallons a year). I would "assume" it's 8 cords based on burning wood stoves over the years... but I could be VERY wrong (hence why I'm posting)
2) Rule of thumb people keep telling me is take your current furnace BTU and double for the gasser (92K high eff propane forced air... so 200K gasser)... but then I want to heat a 1200 sq ft shop on demand (maybe 3 times a week from ambient 20 degrees to 60 degrees - worst case) in winter and a future 600 sq ft green house on the shoulders of the season only. I would assume that 200K is still more than enough to do these things. Am I missing something... and consider question 3 in regards to this, 2 here is more of a statement
3) Everything I read here (and elsewhere) tells me this is a mostly a wasted effort (wasted may be too strong - how about inefficient) without thermal storage... Am I getting a correct read on that? And then - next question - is 500 gallons "enough"?
4) This is an observation that I have made and am looking to have it validated or rebuked... seems like gasser projects never end, are always in a state of "improvement", and end up being very expensive endeavors. Looks like most of you guys ultimately end up with a dedicated shed / shack / or section of existing barn where the "boiler room" migrates to. This puts your boiler very close to your wood storage... Yes?
5) Related to question #1 - if you had a limited supply of your own wood - but the local scene of "split, 'dried' and delivered" was very active and a strong supply easily obtained for $65/fc or less... would you still do this?
6) This last one is for any dedicated gasser fan that's still reading - do you like "your brand of boiler" - pros/cons...