Seeking guidance with 1st time boiler purchase

[tjvt]

Hi,
Looking to install an indoor wood boiler in our home. We heat about 3200 sq ft with a wood stove, hwbb and radiant. Right now we're burning about 6 cords of wood and 1000-1200 gallons of propane (ouch). It's a pretty tight home, but kind of a sprawling layout, not the most efficient for heating. I'm in the process of compiling a list of units that would work for us. Right now my list consists of Froling, HS Tarm, and Orlan units. Others that people recommend? I'm willing to spend a little more up front for a long-lasting, high performance unit. Our propane boiler is 140k btu. Should our wood boiler be about the same btu rating, or larger?
Thank you!
Tyler

 

[maple1]

Varmebaronen would certainly be an 'other' I would recommend checking out.

They require storage though - can you do storage? Even for a boiler that doesn't need it, storage is highly recommended anyway - I would actually put it in the 'essential' category, I think.

A 40kw boiler should be a good fit - I think that is in the area of 120k btu.

Just do lots of reading on here, and get an idea in your head on how everything you read about would fit into your situation, priorities & preferences, for starters.

 

[Medman]

As an Orlan owner I would recommend the froling or the varmebaronen. Not that the Orlan is bad, just basic. I would definitely benefit from the extra efficiency and ease of use of the newer designs.

 

[woodsmaster]

I like my biomass but it is your basic gasser. I like the varm for the ease of cleaning it. Never had one, but the videos impress me. the Frolings are impressive also.

 

[JP11]

Happy with mine. Check out the Vigas. Not the most expensive, or the most basic.

 

[stee6043]

Your best bet is going to be to find your local dealer and go kick some tires on these things. Since your list spreads quite a spectrum of cost be sure to add the Garn and Garn Jr....

 

[Chicken Farmer]

+1 on the Garn Jr.

 

[Hydronics]

I'm happy with my eko but if you have the space and willing to spend Garn is my first choice.

 

[tjvt]

Thanks for the input. I do like the internal storage of the Garn. How does the ongoing maintenance compare between the Tarm Solo Plus, Garn, and Vigas? Do they all have heat tubes that need cleaning? Is this easier or more difficult in one of these units vs. the others, or are they similar? Other maintenance issues I should be aware of?

Thank you,
Tyler

 

[mike van]

My Garn Jr went 'active' on 12/28/13 and I've not had to clean anything yet. Except sweep the floor in front of the door. Ashes of course get shoveled out every few days, maybe 5 gal pail every 4 or 5 days during the real heating season. I especially like how non-fussy it is about the wood you put in it. Has to be dry wood, but everything from white oak to white pine has been in it. The door is 18" dia, it's like a hatch on a submarine. If you can get the piece in there, it's just a memory in a few hours. No regrets at all with this unit.

 

[jhunter19]

Hi,
Looking to install an indoor wood boiler in our home. We heat about 3200 sq ft with a wood stove, hwbb and radiant. Right now we're burning about 6 cords of wood and 1000-1200 gallons of propane (ouch). It's a pretty tight home, but kind of a sprawling layout, not the most efficient for heating. I'm in the process of compiling a list of units that would work for us. Right now my list consists of Froling, HS Tarm, and Orlan units. Others that people recommend? I'm willing to spend a little more up front for a long-lasting, high performance unit. Our propane boiler is 140k btu. Should our wood boiler be about the same btu rating, or larger?
Thank you!
Tyler

I have the BioMass 40, I hate it. Bought new 3 years ago. I will be replacing it this summer. Just as important as what unit you buy is where you buy it. Find someone who will give you good support and customer service. To that end, I would not recommend CozyHeat or New Horizons.

 

[poppledungeon1]

I have the BioMass 40, I hate it. Bought new 3 years ago. I will be replacing it this summer. Just as important as what unit you buy is where you buy it. Find someone who will give you good support and customer service. To that end, I would not recommend CozyHeat or New Horizons.

Hi,
Looking to install an indoor wood boiler in our home. We heat about 3200 sq ft with a wood stove, hwbb and radiant. Right now we're burning about 6 cords of wood and 1000-1200 gallons of propane (ouch). It's a pretty tight home, but kind of a sprawling layout, not the most efficient for heating. I'm in the process of compiling a list of units that would work for us. Right now my list consists of Froling, HS Tarm, and Orlan units. Others that people recommend? I'm willing to spend a little more up front for a long-lasting, high performance unit. Our propane boiler is 140k btu. Should our wood boiler be about the same btu rating, or larger?
Thank you!
Tyler

Tarm Biomass is pretty close to you across the river in Lyme, worth a little drive to check their stuff out, give you some ideas(and questions, hopefully). I have a Froling which they installed, you are probably within their service area, did my own propane tanks for storage to save a few bucks, I've been quite pleased so far, but there other good boilers out there. Good luck!