want to buy wood boiler

[Vtpenguin]

Does any one here know where I can buy a wood boiler? I was looking at pellets, but there is a shortage of them here in VT now, and I'm not going to deal with that so I've decided to put in an indoor or outdoor wood boiler, and just use cord wood.

The problem is I can't find anyone that sells wood boilers, I've called a few places and they must be so busy they don't return my calls. VT seems to be very anti OWB these days, so maybe that is why. VT only allows the gassification wood boilers from what I understand. So I'd like to find someone that sells and installs these so I can get one this spring. Thank you. I'm in Jeffersonville VT.

 

[Vtpenguin]

Or is there an oil and wood burning combo BOILER? it seems there is a lot of furnaces that do this, not sure if there is a boiler that will do both. thanks.

 

[NE WOOD BURNER]

You are on the right site. indoor is preferred here. wait for responses. be ready to answer questions about current heat source, historical costs, sq. ft. of house. heat emitters etc.

 

[Vtpenguin]

Thanks NE Wood Burner.

I currently have a Weil McClean oil boiler, its old, needs new combustion chamber, and new fuel supply line, and a new fuel tank. Its time to replace it. (had originally planned on keeping it, but just learned it needs this work). Forced water baseboard heat, one zone only, single story home, with large basement. below average insulation (I'm doing some new ceiling insulation this summer, but I have vaulted ceilings in much of the home. 1800 or so sq ft total. )

I burn 1000 to 1200 gallons of oil per year, this year I am on to burn just over 1000 gallons. I also have a Vermont Castings Encore Catalytic wood stove (needs a new catalyst but i can't find one that is affordable) I also burn 3 1/2 cords on a regular winter, this winter, I'm probobly going to hit closer to 4. I'm at 3 1/2 now burned now.

I'd like to remove the oil boiler altogether now, put the domestic on the wood for the winter, and have propane backup for heat in the witner and hot water in the summer. If this can be done.

 

[Gasifier]

I'll start you with a few questions.

1. What is the house heated with now?
2. How is heat emitted?
3. How is furnace vented? Type of chimney?

 

[Vtpenguin]

I'll start you with a few questions.

1. What is the house heated with now?
2. How is heat emitted?
3. How is furnace vented? Type of chimney?

1. wood and oil heat.
2. baseboard hot water
3. cement block chimney

 

[Gasifier]

Have you done a heat load calculation?

What is insulation in house like?

Wall?

Attic?

How are windows?

Sq.ft. Of house and any other areas you want to heat? Now. Or is there anything else you want to heat in future with same boiler?

 

[flyingcow]

I bought my gassifcation wood boiler from my local installer who got it to a dealer in lyme new hampshire. I was averaging about 1000 gallons of oil per year. I replace it with six and a half cord of wood.but these boiler systems can be pricey. But it seems you get a pretty good ROI.. there are many good choices of gassification wood boilers. Mine came from TARM in Lyme nh. others will chime in.

 

[maple1]

Budget?

 

[Vtpenguin]

budget is as low as possible, 4K to 5k.

 

[Vtpenguin]

Have you done a heat load calculation?

What is insulation in house like?

Wall?

Attic?

How are windows?

Sq.ft. Of house and any other areas you want to heat? Now. Or is there anything else you want to heat in future with same boiler?

I have one large room, 300 Sq Ft that only has storm windows- it was a partially converted to 4 season from 3. previous owners, there are 15 large windows, I'm still working on installing windows. For now, I use foam insulation.

Vaulted ceilings, about 600 sqft. rest of the house has an attic above it. The house was built in 69. insulation could be better, yes.

I don't know how to calculate the heat load, only know that I can get cord wood for almost free, and oil is costing me 4000+ a year.

 

[salecker]

budget is as low as possible, 4K to 5k.

Hi
You might want to do a bunch of research here before you set that budget in stone.Sometimes spending a little ends up costing way more than spending more the first time.
By doing a bunch of reading and asking questions on here you will be money ahead.
Good Luck on your project.
Thomas

 

[GENECOP]

4-5k will barely be enough to purchase a Gasfier....installation, storage....etc...keep reading, most people end up well north of 10k all said and done....

 

[PassionForFire&Water]

I was looking at pellets, but there is a shortage of them here in VT now, and I'm not going to deal with that so I've decided to put in an indoor or outdoor wood boiler, and just use cord wood.

Quite interesting to hear that there are issues with bagged wood pellets availability. Bulk deliveries seem not affected.
That let me believe that it is more a retail issue then anything else.
Home Depot, Lowes and other box stores like to sell flowers and Easter bunnies this time of the year.
Smaller retailers probably don't want to buy another truck load this time of year, so they don't get stuck with them over spring/summer.

Anyways, check out this link: http://nebiomassheat.com/program.php
Some really nice pellet boiler "prizes" during the Heating Fair during the Northeast Biomass Heating conference in Portland Maine April 10/11-2014
April 10th - 5:30 till 7:30PM
April 11th - 9:00AM till 1:00PM

 

[maple1]

budget is as low as possible, 4K to 5k.

Check out all the forum advertisers.

And you should up your budget - you would still be looking at a very short ROI at 4k/year for oil.

And you should get a head start on getting dry wood ahead.

 

[Gasifier]

Quite interesting to hear that there are issues with bagged wood pellets availability. Bulk deliveries seem not affected.
That let me believe that it is more a retail issue then anything else.
Home Depot, Lowes and other box stores like to sell flowers and Easter bunnies this time of the year.
Smaller retailers probably don't want to buy another truck load this time of year, so they don't get stuck with them over spring/summer.

Anyways, check out this link: http://nebiomassheat.com/program.php
Some really nice pellet boiler "prizes" during the Heating Fair during the Northeast Biomass Heating conference in Portland Maine April 10/11-2014
April 10th - 5:30 till 7:30PM
April 11th - 9:00AM till 1:00PM

We have this issue in my neck of the woods. You hit the nail on the head. Sounds like most of them planned for a "regular" mild winter like the ones we have had in the last few years. I think EVERYONE, including those that projected this was going to be a cold winter, was surprised at how cold it was and for how long. Currently about 15° in the middle of the afternoon here. Sunny, but still cold on March 6th!

 

[heaterman]

If your budget is actually in the $4-5K range you'll need to rethink or eliminate your plans regarding a boiler. Typically even a bargain basement brand gasifier will be in excess of that for the boiler alone. A good well thought out installation will nearly always add 50-100% of the price of the boiler. Figure $10K to be realistic and not cheat yourself out of something that will provide adequate performance and not require constant tinkering and maintenance.