Garn jr. or ecoburn with storage

[gfirkus]

Looking for some comment on this subject. I looked at a ecoburn last year but not yet a garn. My heating needs are 1500 sq ft of in slab bsmt radiant, 1200 sq ft of garage in slab radiant, DMHW, and I was hoping to put a exchanger in for forced air if needed. I have 2" foam under bsmt slab and 1" in garage. Garage is insulated. My house is 1500 sqft ranch built in 2008 and is heated with a 55,000 btu lp forced air furnace now. I built a 14' x 28' addition to my attached garage for boiler, tractor, and some wood storage. My concern with the garn jr. is that it's a open system and will need water treatments. I don't know if this is a big deal or not. I was also wondering what clearance is needed around the boiler. I would really like to talk to some people that have a garn. I want to spend the money for a good, long lasting system. I think the ecoburn with storage and chimney install will actually cost more than the Garn. Thanks

 

[goosegunner]

I sent you a private message with phone #.

gg

 

[mike van]

The reason some Garns need water treatment is that hopefully it outlasts you. I know of a few owb's that are 10 years old and had to pay for welding leaks, some more than once. Free water testing from Garn is cheap over the long haul. I think heaterman has a link showing the manual that will give the side & front clearances. Not huge, just need room to get by it on one side, put wood in the front. Not having to buy/build a chimney does save some $$$$$$.

 

[maple1]

If you're really thinking long term (and everyone should in this situation) - make sure you do an honest evaluation of more than just water treatment, maintenance wise. I would look at ease of cleaning first, I think - aside from putting wood in these things every day, that is the next most frequent item on the boiler operation chore list and one that can become a ball & chain if it's arduous.

 

[GENECOP]

Either setup will work well If designed and installed correctly, it really becomes a matter of which system floats your boat....Also check out Swizer....it is Garnlike , but it is a closed system, I think and will not need water treatment....not 100% sure but I think I read that...