Maine Dealers/Installers of Gasification boilers

[nchezy]

I just started my research on wood gasification boilers in order to supplement my existing oil fired hot water system. Can anyone recommend knowledgeable dealers/installers serving my area (Brunswick, Maine)? I definitely appreciate the tons of insight offered by this group, but I still think I am going to need some professional guidance. The more I read up on the topic of central heating and these newer wood boilers, the more I realize that these systems are pretty complex and the installations are highly site specific. Thanks for any leads you can provide.

 

[steam man]

I can't give you much but I believe there is some dealers of gassifiers in southern Maine. I think there may be a Tarm dealership and also an EKO or similar. Just check out the web sites of the boilers your interested in and do a dealer search.

 

[Rick Stanley]

nchezy,

I'm in southern Maine and have made inquiries to both H. S. Tarm and Garn just this week. Garn's dealer responded the same day. He is Chris Holley from Floor Heat Systems in New Harbor, Maine 207-677-2509

The info packet that I received in the mail from H. S. Tarm today encouraged me to contact ReVision Energy LLC in Liberty, Maine 877-369-6757. I haven't contacted them yet.

Not sure how near to Brunswick either of them are but I guess they are the Maine dealers for those two companies anyway.

Welcome and good luck.

Rick

 

[FishHawk 210CC]

I'd be interested in how you make out with revisionenergy. They just quoted a Greenwood for me and I think it is quite high as boiler alone was 50% higher than other quotes I had and install was over 2X boiler cost (23k total). I haven't spoke to the Garn dealer yet

 

[sparke]

I have dealt with Chris he is very knowledgeable and helpful. Also there is (broken link removed to http://mainewoodfurnaces.com/index.shtml) He sells Benjamin's and Greenfire's.

 

[sparke]

Also, 23K is nuts. I installed my own Greenfire for around $4500 boiler and parts. IMHO Greenfire has less issues then GW... The only issue I have with the Greenfire is cleaning the rear part of the HX. I think they are working on a design change to address that...

 

[nchezy]

Thanks for the feedback. I actually have been exchanging e-mails with Revision Energyworks and just received a ball park quote tonight ($12-14k for a Tarm Solo Plus 40 installed). Revision also provided some wood use estimates and through in a solar hot water system option to boot. Revision definitely gave it some thought but I still have tons of questions. I need to talk to someone in person to actually get a better handle on all the parts and pieces that go into an actual "system" as opposed to just the boiler piece. Revision was a little slow responding to my requests, but I imagine they are getting lots of calls lately...I also want to get more info on costs/benefits of storage. I am curious if Tarm gives out pricing info direct? or do you have to go through local dealers? I notice they seem to market ready made storage tanks - it seems most others on this site are having to improvise on their own in this area.

I also spoke to Jeff at MaineFurnaces.com - he is out of Durham, Maine which is the next town over from me. He invited me over to see his own installation and talk through more of the details.

I appreciate all you help - for now the research continues.

 

[Rick Stanley]

nchezy,

Tarm sent me a "suggested price list" sheet, dated 4/18/07 that said on it to contact ReVision to order. The SOLO PLUS 40 is listed at $6895.00

They sent a tank price list too, dated 4/1/08, that seemed to say that you had to order tanks directly from them. They show 415,512,620,738,822,957,1205 and 1550 gallon units for 1500,1540,1700,1985,2150,2285,2560,2970 dollars. 120 and 180ft heat exchange coils are 700 and 950 dollars.

Rick

 

[nchezy]

Thanks Rick. It's nice having the facts and figures behind the quote. I also think I may call the Maine Garn dealer.

 

[MikeF]

IMHO Greenfire has less issues then GW... The only issue I have with the Greenfire is cleaning the rear part of the HX. I think they are working on a design change to address that...

Sparke,

Can you describe the procedure for cleaning out the boiler and what you have heard about design changes to make this easier? There have been a few people on this board who have described some "horror stories" related to issues of clogging and cleaning, etc. Is this a problem with all boilers of this design? Anybody else want to wade in on this?

 

[sparke]

Mike, Cleaning the ashes are easy with the ash pan set up. Cleaning the top of the Hx is easy with a furnace/boiler brush you can find at any plumbing/heating store.
The only issue I have is the back of the Hx(just like everyone else with this style boiler). I asked Greenfire if they are going to be addressing the issue and they said they are looking at it...

 

[MikeF]

Mike, Cleaning the ashes are easy with the ash pan set up. Cleaning the top of the Hx is easy with a furnace/boiler brush you can find at any plumbing/heating store.
The only issue I have is the back of the Hx(just like everyone else with this style boiler). I asked Greenfire if they are going to be addressing the issue and they said they are looking at it...

Thanks, Sparke. Not having seen the back of the Greenfire, what exactly is involved in cleaning out the back? Any idea how they could improve the design to make access easier but still allow the unit to function properly?

 

[sparke]

Right now I think I could get to the back HX easy enough by removing the smoke pipe and 3/16" steel on the lower half where the smoke pipe exits. If Greenfire does not come up with a new skin that has an access panel, I will make my own. Similar to Anthony. He has pics somewhere. I know they are improving their design. Mark sent me some pics showing the smoke bypass they are working on.

 

[sweetheat]

nchezy, I've been trying to set my Tarm solo 40 up without spending a large amount. I purchased the solo 40 directly through Tarm in NH over a year ago for about $5000. I thought that was it, just hook it up and heat, wrong! They don't tell you you will need heat storage up front. They tried to have me go through the people in Liberty. His price was over my budget. I persisted and Tarm sold directly to me. My local plumber has a solid fuel license and the ability to hook everything else up. I have been researching different heat storage possibilitys on this forum. Pressurized VS non pressurized. The open heat storage requires the exchangers and the closed requires an expanshion tank plus insulation and a side arm DHW. STSS CO INC makes the open storage for Tarm and sells directly through them. Expensive. They seem to have a monopoly. I e-mailed STSS CO INC and never received a reply. I also e-mailed Tarm several times about the different sizes available, no reply. Because of space I'm still looking for other manf. of open storage tanks, they don't exist except for a very expensive stainless tank manf. From what I read here it's DIY closed heat storage using a used LP tank, or a site built EPDM open tank for the gassifiers on the market now. Most of the threads I've read in this forum suggest heat storage for all gassifier. Get educated here before you spend a large amount of your hard earned money. sweetheat!

 

[rod67]

(broken link removed to http://www.mainewoodfurnaces.com/Seton.shtml)

Don't know anything about them other than they are in Maine.

 

[sweetheat]

rod67, not a gassifier! the Europeans have developed their technology around there strict emission laws. Here we don't have the same laws, so the technology lags. My goal is to burn clean and hot, extract all the heat, and burn less wood. sweetheat