Heatmaster G4000 or G7000

[Catawba]

Hey Folks:

Earlier this week upgraded my old Heatmaster MF5000 to a G7000. I am heating a 2000 square foot 1940's two story brick farm house, ductwork is in the basement so I guess that makes it 3000. I live in the mountains of southwest Virginia, 2400 ft elevation. I would say our winters are about like central Pennsylvania due to the elevation, and extremely windy. I was burning about 10 cords from late October to late April on my old boiler. The house is poorly insulated, with none in the walls, and pretty crappy windows. Im hoping to heat a hot tub with the boiler in near future.

Some boiler specs
G7000
8-hour burn rate: 130k btu/hour
Water capacity: 234 gallon
Approx heating space: 7K square feet

G4000
8 hour burn rate: 68k btu/hour
water capacity: 116 gallon
Approx heating space: 4k square feet

I felt like I was right on the line between the G4000 and G7000, considering the poor insulation. The dealer said the G4000 would work fine, but if I was okay with the price difference I might be happier with the 7000 on account of the bigger firebox and longer burn times. I certainly appreciate the ability to have more flexibility in wood length. I got a second opinion from a dealer in another state and he advised going for the 7000 too.


Anyway, Ive had the G7000 for a few days and it is an amazing machine. Im just worried that I really did oversize it, and I am going to be plagued with excessive idling, fires going out, creosote buildup, and reduced efficiency. Did I screw up? Im sure if I got the 4000 I would be second guessing myself too, that's just how it goes. I found another forum thread where someone asked a similar question and the near-consensus was "get the bigger one!" Do you all agree?

 

[sloeffle]

I'd have gone with the G4000, the G7000 is too big for what you are heating. During a cold snap, I think the G7000 might be a better pick, but it doesn't seem like we get those that often anymore. You are better off pushing a smaller boiler harder vs having a larger boiler slumber along when it comes to gasification boilers. They are creosote factories, and a bigger boiler is just going to idle more and create more creosote. The milk has already been spilled so I guess you'll have to live with your decision at this point.

Put enough wood in the boiler for 12 hours and make sure that your wood <25%MC and you'll be happy with the boiler. I've had mine for three winters and all of the problem's I've had have been self-educed.