How to choose a solid fuel boiler for long burning for home heating

To purchase a suitable heating unit for a private house, it is necessary to soberly assess the characteristics of the proposed options and take into account all the features of the housing that needs to be heated. To cope with this task, you will have to make accurate mathematical calculations and think carefully about the moment of delivery of fuel. The information that you get from this article will help you understand how to choose a solid fuel boiler for long burning. Use the provided material to avoid common mistakes and make the right decision.

Varieties and principles of operation of solid fuel boilers for long burning

If you have to choose a solid fuel boiler for long burning, first of all, check out the classification of these units. Having a general understanding of the existing varieties, you can navigate in a wide range and immediately exclude unsuitable options. Solid fuel heating boilers differ in several ways, which will be described later in the article.

By the way of fuel combustion

Solid fuel heating boilers for long burning are divided into two categories:

• Traditional. They implement the simplest fuel combustion scheme. According to the principle of operation, they resemble an ordinary stove with a special window for supplying fuel. The main element is a heat exchanger, which transfers temperature directly to the coolant. Such boilers are distinguished by unprecedented reliability and durability, but their efficiency leaves much to be desired.

• Pyrolysis (gas generating). This type is characterized by an increased level of efficiency. Such units generate heat energy by burning fuel in a special way. First, the unit dries up the fuel. This is followed by degassing, during which about 85% of the substances are converted into combustible gas during combustion. The remaining 15% remains in the form of coal. In the inner cavity of the combustion chamber, the temperature rises to 600 °, due to which the combustible gas is oxidized and ignited. This process leaves a burning layer of coal. The masses of low-temperature gases are saturated with carbon, providing a temperature rise of up to 1000 °. Under these conditions, coal decomposes, releasing a large amount of thermal energy. The air flow supplied to the upper wall of the combustion chamber directs the flame vertically downward. Due to this, the combustion process becomes controllable. Continuous air supply ensures continuous oxidation of combustible gases.

By material of manufacture

In the assortment of household solid fuel boilers, there are units made of various materials. Manufacturers use two types of metals:

• Cast iron. The boiler is made of cast iron and is a sectional structure, each section of which can be separated from the others. The possibility of disassembly makes the unit more convenient for transportation and installation. If there is a need for repair work, this feature greatly facilitates the task of the master. During the operation of a cast iron boiler, the inner walls of the combustion chamber are subject to chemical corrosion. Dry rust appears on them (a film consisting of iron oxide). As a rule, it does not progress, so the efficiency of the unit remains at a consistently high level. Often you do not have to clean it from carbon deposits. The only significant drawback is its susceptibility to temperature changes. Heatstroke can damage the walls of the chamber. Such cases should be avoided.

• Steel. A boiler made of this metal is a monoblock unit that is assembled at the factory. It will not be possible to disassemble it for ease of transportation. Steel solid fuel boilers for long-term combustion are not afraid of thermal shock, therefore, automatic electronic mode change devices are more widely used in them. Nevertheless, systematic temperature changes lead to the formation of fatigue zones on the walls of the combustion chamber, which eventually leads to burnout of the metal. If this happens, the unit cannot be repaired.

By type of fuel used

Solid fuel heating boilers for long-term combustion are divided into four categories according to the type of fuel burned:

• On the wood. The most common variety. Its popularity is due to its simplicity of design and unpretentiousness to fuel. A solid fuel boiler for long burning on wood can work in almost any conditions, but it has one significant drawback - the lack of automation. As the fuel burns, the user has to put firewood in the firebox.

• Coal. Suitable for a large area home is much more than a wood-burning one. Coal is low cost and easy to transport.
• On pellets. As a fuel for this variety, wood pellets are used, which are compressed waste from the woodworking industry. They are called pellets. The relatively small combustion chamber of the pellet boiler burns briquettes, generating a large amount of heat.
• On sawdust. A separate type of solid fuel boilers in which sawdust, dry grass, leaves and other waste are burned. Such units provide high-quality heating of housing, and also solve the problem of recycling plant waste.

Double-circuit

Solid fuel double-circuit boilers for long burning are distinguished by the fact that they not only heat housing, but also heat water for domestic use. By installing such a unit, you will heat the house and at the same time solve the problem of providing warm water for the bathroom and kitchen. A long-burning solid fuel boiler with a water circuit is more expensive, but with it there is no need to install a gas water heater or boiler.

Selection criteria for solid fuel boilers for long burning

We have already familiarized ourselves with the general classification of solid fuel boilers. It's time to consider the criteria by which the owners of private houses determine the most suitable options for units for installing heating systems. After reading the following sections, you will learn how to choose the right long-burning solid fuel boiler for your home.

Type of fuel

First of all, you must decide on what kind of fuel will be used for heating. Proceed from what type of fuel is more convenient to buy and import. If you have harvested wood, it is wise to purchase a wood-fired boiler. Pellet heating can be recommended to the owners of cottages where there are no trees. Coal-fired boilers are suitable for those who have the opportunity to order high-quality fuel on favorable terms. Sawdust heating systems are generally used to heat wood processing facilities.

Power

To determine the required power of the heating system, you need to perform simple mathematical calculations. Calculate the total volume of the premises to be heated. The resulting figure will help you find a model with the appropriate parameters in a wide range of solid fuel boilers for long-term combustion. Keep in mind: you always need to provide a reserve of power so that during a severe winter frost it is not cold in the house.

Device weight

When choosing a solid fuel boiler for long-term combustion for heating a private house, the mass parameter is taken into account only if the owner intends to fix the purchased unit on the wall. According to state standards established by the Russian gas service, this installation method is allowed for heating boilers with a volume of less than 100 liters.

Loading chamber volume

This parameter characterizes the ratio of the volume of fuel to be put in with the power of the heating unit. The more fuel fits in the loading chamber, the less often you will need to replenish the supply of firewood / coal / pellets. For steel boilers, the ratio of these values ​​is 1.6-2.6 l / kW. Cast iron heating units consume less fuel - 1.1-1.4 l / kW.

The total volume of the loading chamber will help you to roughly estimate the possibilities. You will not be able to fill it 100% in any case. The useful volume of the loading chamber is of much greater importance. This value displays the actual amount of fuel that you can load into the combustion chamber. To determine it, you need to know the principle of combustion of the selected boiler and the method of loading fuel (top or front).

Efficiency

One of the most important parameters for any solid fuel heating unit for long-term combustion. The figure expressing the boiler efficiency characterizes that part of the generated heat energy that is actually spent on heating the home. By choosing a high efficiency unit, you can reduce your power requirements. Poor efficiency means unnecessary heat wasted, so you have to add more fuel to keep your home at an acceptable temperature.

Review of the best manufacturers

The modern market for heating systems for private houses is full of offers from many brands, but not all of these units can boast of reliability and durability. You learned how to choose a home solid fuel boiler for long burning from the previous sections of the article. It's time to narrow your search down to those manufacturers who truly deserve respect:

1. Stropuva. The Stropuva trademark produces high-quality coal-fired heating boilers with a high level of efficiency and a long burning period after each filling.
2. Hearth. The Ochag company produces solid fuel boilers equipped with the most modern heat exchangers. The units of this brand are distinguished by their durability and high performance.
3. Wichlacz. A reliable Polish brand that produces excellent solid fuel boilers operating on the principle of layer-by-layer combustion of fuel.
4. Viadrus. A respected worldwide manufacturer of coal, wood and coal-wood solid fuel boilers.
5. Don. Heating units of this brand are reliable and durable. With minimal fuel consumption, "Don" provides a high level of efficiency.
6. Teplodar. Long-term combustion heating units of the "Teplodar" trademark in terms of their reliability and performance can be compared with the best brainchilds of German manufacturers.

Where to buy and how much are

The purchase of a solid fuel boiler for long-term combustion for heating a private house is a serious task. You need to approach it with the utmost responsibility. Such a unit costs a lot of money, so the first step is to assess the reliability of the selling side. In the table below you will find contact details and some commercial offers of verified Moscow suppliers of heating equipment.

Video

For those who are deprived of the opportunity to purchase an expensive heating boiler, the option of assembling such a unit at home is suitable. The video below will explain in detail how to do this. Listen to the advice of experts, and you will be able to independently create an alternative version of a solid fuel boiler for long-term combustion.