I hesitate to ask this question, so please understand that I am not trying to put anyone on the spot with a "which boiler is the best" question.
I'm still investigating the possibility of converting my home to a wood boiler with storage setup. I've had some introductory discussions with an installer that I think is probably one of the more experienced (in the business a long time, very satisfied clients (I got recomendations from a couple people to go with them) etc.) companies in my area that does boiler systems. For systems with storage, this company only installs Tarm and Frohling boilers.
I have tracked my average oil consumption back to 2005 and shared this with the installer. A site visit is scheduled, but based upon square footage of the home, oil consumption etc., the installer believes the smallest boiler and 650 galls of storage will meet my needs - the site visit will firm that up.
I'd like to keep this an apples to apples comparison, so I'm wondering... If I limit my comparisons to the Frohling - it would be the 20\30 - what other manufactures make a similar product? I'm thiniking of things like warranty, automation, ease of cleaning etc. I'm interested in a boiler that has the automation because I know my nature. If the boiler can be constantly tweaked throughout the burn cycle to increase efficiency, I'm one of those geeks that will be down in the basement obsessing over every setting I could possibly change. The other bonus is that my installer says I can pretty much burn any kind of wood as long as it is properly seasoned. He said most manual boilers are fine when setup to burn only one kind of wood, but if you find yourself burning a mix of woods or hard and soft woods, you can improve efficiency if you make the correct adjustments. I'll definetly be burning a mix of wood as some will be delivered and some will be whatever I cut down on the property a mix from spruce to maple.
So to sum up, what's a competitor to the Frohing 20\30 so I can check them out too? If anyone has experience with other similar boilers, or the Frohling itself I'd appreciate your insight as well.
Thank you.
I'm still investigating the possibility of converting my home to a wood boiler with storage setup. I've had some introductory discussions with an installer that I think is probably one of the more experienced (in the business a long time, very satisfied clients (I got recomendations from a couple people to go with them) etc.) companies in my area that does boiler systems. For systems with storage, this company only installs Tarm and Frohling boilers.
I have tracked my average oil consumption back to 2005 and shared this with the installer. A site visit is scheduled, but based upon square footage of the home, oil consumption etc., the installer believes the smallest boiler and 650 galls of storage will meet my needs - the site visit will firm that up.
I'd like to keep this an apples to apples comparison, so I'm wondering... If I limit my comparisons to the Frohling - it would be the 20\30 - what other manufactures make a similar product? I'm thiniking of things like warranty, automation, ease of cleaning etc. I'm interested in a boiler that has the automation because I know my nature. If the boiler can be constantly tweaked throughout the burn cycle to increase efficiency, I'm one of those geeks that will be down in the basement obsessing over every setting I could possibly change. The other bonus is that my installer says I can pretty much burn any kind of wood as long as it is properly seasoned. He said most manual boilers are fine when setup to burn only one kind of wood, but if you find yourself burning a mix of woods or hard and soft woods, you can improve efficiency if you make the correct adjustments. I'll definetly be burning a mix of wood as some will be delivered and some will be whatever I cut down on the property a mix from spruce to maple.
So to sum up, what's a competitor to the Frohing 20\30 so I can check them out too? If anyone has experience with other similar boilers, or the Frohling itself I'd appreciate your insight as well.
Thank you.