Wood boiler install with oil boiler backup

[muncybob]

Well, we have decided that a wood boiler installed in an insulated enclosure close to the house is the way we are going. The person that has done any work to our oil boiler in the past says he would look at installing the wood boiler but he has never done it before. He also does not use the internet so it is up to me to obtain drawings/schematics, etc to help him understand how to install the wood boiler using the existing oil boiler as back up. Once we decide on the exact make/model we will rely on the manufacturer for some help in this matter but I'm sure many people here can offer some insight and perhaps some things not to do. My main concerns are the proper install to the oil boiler without storage but setting it up for possible storage in the future and having some sort of a heat dump(is that the right term) in the event of a power outage. Also many times I have noted the return water to the boiler should not be below 130 degrees...so how is this managed properly.

As you can tell my heating knowledge runs about as far as operating the thermostat on the wall! The proposed installer is no dummy but I want to be able to help him as much as possible with info from the internet to make the install go as smoothly as possible. I want to give him enough info to make this happen without information overload so any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[Anything Plumbing]

You came to the right web forum! The people on this sight are A-1 and I'm sure you can be put on the right track. You might want to have your oil guy ask his questions through you. Also the reason I replied, you had mentioned you would go to the manufacturer for install help. Be very careful I'm a licensed plumbing and heating contractor and I have been told by 2 different manufacturers how to pipe their boilers and later found that there way was not the most efficient way to pipe it. In one case their way didn't work at all the boiler releif kept blowing off. So be careful and ask these guys they are genuenly good people that have alot of noledge in this field.

 

[muncybob]

You're right...lots of good people & knowledge in here. I have learned a lot about wood burning in the short time I have participated here.

You hit the nail on the head with your statement about doing this in the most efficient manner.....exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[WoodNotOil]

Take a look at the primary/secondary sticky on the top of the boiler room. That is the setup you want. Termovar mixing valves are the best way to ensure return temp. I assume you are looking at gasifiers. Take a look at the gasifier tab on my web page (in my signature). You are asking the right questions. Digest that a bit and hopefully others will chime in.