Eco vs econoburn

[djblech]

After reading alot of posts I have a question. What is the differences and or similarities between the Eco and the Econoburn. I am already gathering information for my next wood furnace.(hopefully at least 5yrs down the road.)

djblech
Greenwood 100
Stihl 170 and 360
Kioti dk45 with dump trailer
120 acres of woods

 

[stee6043]

Do you mean an Orlan Eko? I dare say if you're doing research for a purchase planned for five years from now anything you may gather today will be grossly out of date by the time you make a purchase. For example, the new models of the EKO have just recently started being delivered in the US. I think many of us are waiting to see what's new and improved with the latest model. I'm sure in five years there will have been several upgrades made to both models you mention above....

 

[ihookem]

So the Orlan Eko isn't made in the U.S.A. ? I hope it is cause I am thinking of getting one instead of a Central Boiler 5036. Also, Can Econoburn or Eko Orlan be put outside in a wood shed?

 

[pybyr]

The EKO/ Orlan is made in Poland, I believe.

The Econoburn is made right in upstate NY.

The basic designs are highly similar, except for the controls.

The EKO uses a European control unit; the Econoburn uses a standard industrial PLC.

I have an Econoburn, and while I'd have nothing ill to say about an EKO (lots of people here seem happy with them) I can say that I am very, very happy with my Econoburn.

The "standard" Econoburn comes standard with turbulators and a cleaning handle; last I knew, that only came on the EKO "Super" not the EKO standard.

Every aspect that I have looked at on and in my Econoburn is built with a level of extreme sturdiness and simplicity that I have generally, previously, only seen on equipment built for the military. It looks like it should last a lifetime absent the most extreme deliberate abuse or a direct artillery strike.

The Econoburn is made in the USA, which, these days, is of value to me, and comes with WONDERFUL factory support when you have questions. It is also Energy-Star rated, which, subject to some further research, I think may qualify it for a tax credit (not sure yet)

And yes, you can put one in a shed, as long as you install it properly and keep it warm or make provisions for frost protection.

 

[Duetech]

To my knowledge the EKO line went to all super models prior to their newest model release but that don't mean the old ones have all been sold.. I would have gone with Econoburn because it is made in the good ol' USA but it was not largely available at the time. Computer controls are not the only differences though as the Econoburn does not (last I heard) have primary air controls like in the EKO but then the Econoburn may have been engineered where the adjustable controls are not needed. In case it was necessary I wonder If an Econoburn controller would be able to be retrofitted to the EKO? I have already modified some minor aspects of the boiler so maybe I could make it a hybrid.?. The way the economy is reeling right now it would be good to spend on American Made if for no other reason than to keep the boiler running and keep America running too. Another Putin and we might find Poland's products have been sanctioned and un-available.

 

[pybyr]

..... . Computer controls are not the only differences though as the Econoburn does not (last I heard) have primary air controls like in the EKO but then the Econoburn may have been engineered where the adjustable controls are not needed.

My Econoburn 150 does have a primary air control- you just have to take the front cover off (which is not hard). But... after trying a bunch of different settings... I found that the factory setting worked as well or better than any other setting for various woods, and during the different stages of the burn.

 

[Duetech]

So the Orlan Eko isn't made in the U.S.A. ? I hope it is cause I am thinking of getting one instead of a Central Boiler 5036. Also, Can Econoburn or Eko Orlan be put outside in a wood shed?

Yes they can both be housed in a shed. I am planning to move my EKO into a shed with water storage and a wood supply.

 

[ihookem]

How much is the Econoburn, 100? 200? I have a house being built, a 2200 sq ft. ranch and very well insulated (foam walls and r60 ceiling and tyvec and brick. My heat calc showed a heat los of 33,000 btu per hour @ -10 F. Also, how would I install it correctly in a shed? Any ideas would be nice.

 

[Duetech]

pybyr..Thanks..Good to know so now I know differently about the primaries. The EKO primaries are only accessible by removing the front cover too. (unless you do a mod which I did). Can the Econoburn be modded for external control of the primaries?

ihookem.... There are a lot of floor plans from partial to full slab concrete to offset layered patio blocks and usually the owners manual will give clearance dimensions for the sides front and back. Building code for your area is what you will need to check on. Then there is the type of piping from the shed to the house. I will have to run all new pex from the shed because it is going to be further from the house than the out building where it is now. The EKO40 is rated for up to 4k sq ft. I am not sure what size that is in Econoburn or the price but cozyheat.net can give pricing on the EKO line and they may have Econoburns listed as well.

 

[flyingcow]

I think they are the same money, i'd pick the econoburn. No question about it.

 

[pybyr]

Can the Econoburn be modded for external control of the primaries?

It definitely could, and it would not be rocket science (at all) to do so. On my 150, the primary air control is a semi-circular pie slice piece of metal that can rotate against a corresponding semi-circular pie slice set of openings on the blower's cast housing. You could run a shaft or a jackscrew to rotate it from the outside with the housing left in place.

I just found that, with good wood, and after fiddling with a bunch of settings, the best overall heat output and continuity of the burn was... exactly as it came from the factory...

 

[Duetech]

[ Cave2k - 15 February 2009 04:33 PM

Can the Econoburn be modded for external control of the primaries?]

"It definitely could, and it would not be rocket science (at all) to do so. On my 150, the primary air control is a semi-circular pie slice piece of metal that can rotate against a corresponding semi-circular pie slice set of openings on the blower’s cast housing. You could run a shaft or a jackscrew to rotate it from the outside with the housing left in place.

I just found that, with good wood, and after fiddling with a bunch of settings, the best overall heat output and continuity of the burn was… exactly as it came from the factory… smile"

I speak facetiously now but...It's a good thing the EKO's didn't come that way or we would probably never had the Fine tuning EKO sticky

 

[gorbull]

I'm also considering and Eko and an Econoburn. What length of wood can these units take?

 

[ihookem]

Econoburn only takes a 21" log. That's too bad. The woodgun takes a 26" for the 100k btu and 30" for a 150k btu. That is a lot less cutting and stacking.

 

[Duetech]

I'm also considering and Eko and an Econoburn. What length of wood can these units take?

The EKO40 I have will take a 20" laying down and up to 27 or 28" standing up but for ease of loading I use 19-19 1/2". With a good tune and no storage I can get up to 12 hour burns with red oak or red elm at 20-30*f.

 

[leaddog]

my eko-80 will take a 40in log. thats nice if you cut your own as I cut my small dia stuff long. less handling and less cutting. It makes saving that small stuff less work so you tend to cut and burn it other wise you might just leave it.
leaddog

 

[antknee2]

I also have a Ecnoburn EBW-100 and found the boiler seems to run the best with factory settings . I just run the boiler full out as needed to charge the tanks . I clean the boiler as needed but other wise do not mess with it . I do not think you can go wrong with either boiler .
Anthony

 

[djblech]

I realize that things will change in 5 yrs. I am just figuring the payback on my Greenwood. I haven't given up on the GW yet, I am just disappointed in the amount of wood that I have gone through this year. I am up to 7 cords so far, 2.5 with my Vermont Castings and 4.5 with my GW which I only started using Jan 1. I think that I can tweak both my house and the GW and get better results. I know that hindsight is 20/20 and if I had to do it over I would probably do it different. I do think that I could spend a lot more money on a different system especially when storage is included/required. I am always looking for the best product for the money.

djblech
Greenwood 100
Stihl 170 and 360
Kioti dk45 and dump trailer
120 acres of woods

 

[Piker]

As a dealer, I am obviously biased when it comes to convincing people one way or the other about boiler choice. That having been said, you will be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't have some sort of bias when it comes to brand names and product design... or just about anything really.

Your best bet is to gather your information carefully, go see the units, talk to the dealers, and make the most informed decision possible. Don't purchase solely on one issue.

I tend to agree with a previous post about supporting American labor during these difficult times. Alternative Fuel Boilers is a good company, and they produce a fantastic product at a reasonable price, especially considering the quality of workmanship that goes in to the boilers. If that's not incentive enough, I don't know what is.

cheers

 

[Chris S]

I posted along these lines about a year ago.

If you can, go to a show where the various vendors will be showcasing their equipment. I made a trip to Syracuse NY last February to do just that, and got all of my questions answered in one day in one place. It was 7 hrs of driving round trip, but in my estimation well worth it. That was the NYS Farm show. I found out about it by emailing the different vendors. I'm sure there are venues that these manufacturers / dealers will be at, it's just a matter of asking.

On a different topic, last month I went to a show in Las Vegas in search of 4 different products for a project we are working on, and found all of them. I'll keep my Las Vegas opinions to myself.

 

[Eric Johnson]

I think in five years you're going to have a lot more options, and a much higher level of performance than we have now. And that's saying something, because from what I can determine, both the EKO and Econoburn do what they're supposed to, and do it very well. I think this design will evolve as the controls and sensors become more sophisticated. Boilers like that already exist--you just can't get them here. Yet.

 

[pybyr]

I had some really interesting conversations with Mark Odell, VP at Econoburn, back in early Fall 2008. He asked me not to share any of the details of things that he described to me that they're doing in their R&D;efforts-- and so I will not describe any of that-- but it was all _very_ intriguing, and it is clear that those folks at Dunkirk/ Alternative Fuel Boilers/ Econoburn are _not_ sitting on their hands.

They have a really good product now, but are definitely looking at the horizon of potential technology and efficiency.

In addition to being glad to have had the chance to support domestic manufacturing, I also really like the fact that all of their sub-components- controllers, relays, blower, etc., are all standard off-the-shelf industrial componentry- so even if Econoburn ever goes away, which I expect that they won't, replacement parts should always be non-proprietary and readily available.

 

[hoth2oguy]

ihookem, with such an energy efficient home (low heat loss), whichever boiler you end up with you will want to use storage. Your heat demand at -10 is more than twice the output of the smallest gasifiers so without storage you will see too much idling and get lots of creosote/condensation. Good news is that with storage you will have an optimized system right from the get-go! Good luck in your search, there are lots of good choices out there.

 

[Piker]

...and it is clear that those folks at Dunkirk/ Alternative Fuel Boilers/ Econoburn are _not_ sitting on their hands.

They have a really good product now, but are definitely looking at the horizon of potential technology and efficiency.

More proof that Alternative Fuel Boilers is not "sitting on their hands."

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/35621/

Even in this rough economy, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well.

cheers

 

[Hansson]

Are the Ecnoburn efficiency tested? The thing i dont understand is why they dont have a sucking fan on the Ecnoburn?
It`s better and all the boilers here are switching to sucking fan.