Would you opt for a Wood Pellet Boiler?

rooferPete

Hi mosskk,

I would love to post more details but it had to be sent for testing to ensure compliace with fire regulations etc.

I am hoping it is on target for the launch date, sad thing is the first one gets destroyed to show how much it will hold up in case the worst should happen.

The expected cost will be well below anything on the market at the moment, installation is being kept simple just run the pipes out (insulated) and pour a concrete slab with a DPC.

The fuel will not be touching the ground so no problems there, the damp course is to protect the boiler.

I will keep you posted.

.

Evergreen

Hello Guys and Girls,

This is a great discussion that you are having and some interesting comments have been made throughout.

I will take my hat of to Gerkros for having the balls to be the only Irish company to go out there and manufacture a pellet boiler, and good luck to them. However, I do think that Rooferpetes defence of the Gerkros is a little biased - probably as a result of his vested interests.

For example:

I think it would be very difficult to knock a product that has only been launched, the company has a long standing manufacturing boilers for oil and solid fuel central heating systems in Ireland.

Actually I'm pretty sure that Gerkros don't manufacture their own pellet burner, if I'm not mistaken they import the pellet burner from elsewhere and bolt it onto the chassis of one of their existing oil/gas boilers - feel free to correct me on this if I'm wrong.

Another point to note, the drop pipe feed system used for feeding pellets to the boiler is being examined by a number of European countries right now with to banning view to banning it. This is as a direct result of the high incidence of burn-back in such boilers - it probably won't happen though because too many manufacturers use this system. The only way to ensure real burn-back protection is to use a star wheel or airtight rotary valve as the means of interrupting the route from the combustion chamber back to the pellet hopper. Having said that the drop pipe is better than the water sprinkler system installed on the Danish "Twin Heat" boiler.

They are also the only boiler manufacturer who insisted we attend a training course on the boilers and they hold highest efficiency rate exceeding the SEI rules (which are out of date) so Gerkros comply with prEN14785 and EN13290 written for pellet fuel appliances.

Two things here:
1.) The majority of decent wood pellet boiler manufacturers will insist that installers are well trained on installing their boilers, otherwise they will not be able to teach the users correctly on how to program the heat management systems and correct maintenance routines (if any).
2. ) To say that the Gerkros boiler holds the highest efficiency rating is stretching the truth to the limit. The directive you mention specifies that wood pellet boilers must meet at a minimum rating of 73.9% + 7[log]Boiler rating. In the case of a 20kW boiler this is a paltry 75.20% heat efficiency - a good log stove can reach up to 78%. Now I'm not saying that the Gerkros has a rated efficiency as low as this, but can somebody tell me what the Woodpecker's actual rated efficiency is? I have trawled the website and information booklet and failed to find a mention of it anywhere. I have heard that the Gerkros comes in around 83% efficiency but am not sure, however, I would think that if had figures anywhere close to a good Austrian boiler (approx 93%) then Gerkros would have this figure plastered all over their booklets and website.

Like ExtraFlame who also insist their approved installers visit the factory in Italy, become familiar with the manufacturing process, installation rules (not guidelines) and then you are accessed by written examination before receiving approval.

Written exam at ExtraFlame? New one on me!

The reason for the rules is they have a very good system built to a very high standard and the only feedback they want is positive, unlike so many others they are continuing there quality standards through to the home of their customer.

Having approved installers setup and commission such a complicated piece of equipment is the way it should be. However, if the system is so good why do Gerkros only offer a 12 month guarantee on their pellet burner? To be honest, I am not sure how the Woodpecker even became approved by SEI - one of the main criteria for approval is that the pellet boiler must have a minimum of 24 months parts and labour guarantee...........

I have spent a long time choosing the products I will add my name to, I have frustrated companies in so many ways to see if they would break there own rules, out of all the manufacturers / suppliers Gerkros and ExtraFlame are the only ones who stood there ground.

Probably not as much time as you should have spent researching.

The grant for a fully installed boiler system is EUR 4,200 which is a lot of money. However, the best advice that people should take on board is to make an informed decision about the system that they install. Better to make an informed decision rather than a wrong one.

Remember, you only get one grant from SEI, if you have to replace a cheaper boiler in 4 or 5 years time then you won't get a second grant to help you out next time around.

On a few other points though, Rooferpete makes a lot of sense in what he says about the pellet storage area. It is vital that it remains dry at all times, I have seen some people use a secondhand animal feed soilo - this is a disaster, condensation forms on the inside before it drips down onto the pellets...ugh. If Pete's all in one storage shed is approved I think that it will be a big seller to a wide range of pellet boiler installers regardless of the brand.

rooferPete

Hi Evergreen,

Regarding the Gerkros burner you are correct they bought in the technology after trying to make their own burner, I understand this is not unusual.

You might note the date this thread started and agree that a lot has been learned in the trade about the Gerkros system since then, especially by me, and yes the "Official efficiency rating" is 83.5%, taking everything into consideration I fail to see how it made that figure.

I was one of the first to take the training in Gerkros, at the time the warranty on the burner was one year if installed DIY.

However if installed and maintained by the approved installer the warranty was two years, as soon as this reverted to one year I ceased promoting Gerkros but stand by the guarantee we have given on our installations.

You will notice that we are not on their approved installer list anymore, in fact having taken notice of the warranty change after SEI approval I voiced my concerns to the point where I'm not sure we ever made it to SEI published approved list.

As to Extraflame two of us travelled to the factory and took a two day course, to the best of my knowledge most only last one day but we did ask a lot of questions.

And yes we did take a written exam, in fairness I for one would have to have been asleep to fail it as the questions were easy to us.

Personally I would have preferred to see all of the systems rated by SEI similar to the way that washing machines, fridges etc are rated, ABCD etc.

That would make life easier for both the seller / installer and more important the consumer.

Fingers and toes crossed while our combi is being tested / destroyed

.

Evergreen

Hi Pete,

I didn't check the date at the start of this thread, I didn't realise it was going on so long.

Thanks for finally giving me a figure on the Gerkros boiler.

I think that the way SEI have set up the grant scheme is very poorly taught out, the is just a flat grant regardless of boiler size, efficiency or even quality. For example a highly efficient boiler (94%) with built in heat management system, auto fuel feed, etc. gets exactly the same as a cheap import with maybe 80% efficiency and little or automation.

Another problem with the SEI grant is that they refuse to give aid to log boilers even though this type of wood uses the least amount of fossil fuel in preparation for burning (i.e. no pelleting or chipping required).

Ned

mosskk

Pete

Any approx timescale for testing / approval of your combi unit ? Having got through the Winter (assuming its over) my target is to have bulk storage for pellets in place before the end of the Summer.

Keep me informed.

Thanks

rooferPete

Hi mosskk,

We have a "Plan B" in place if the combi is taking too long to pass, this doesn't need testing because the boiler is seperate from the insulated fuel store.

I will be happy to keep you up to date.

.

mosskk

Please do Pete.

mcrtchly

Like many others, I am also considering a wood pellet boiler for domestic central heating. As my house is in the Dublin suburbs, I am interested to know about supply issues for wood pellets. I understand that the bulk deliveries of at least 3 tons is the cheapest. Does any know have many companies supply bulk deliveries in the Dublin area. Also, if I install a storage tank in my garden, can the pellets be blow delivered from a tanker/truck parked on the road. At the moment I get oil deliveries from a tanker parked on the road via the tankers delivery hose (a distance of about 100 feet)

Martin Critchley

mosskk

Martin

I spoke to Balcas (the only suppliers of bulk pellets so far on the island, as far as I know) a few months ago. The lady I spoke to mentioned a hose length of 30 feet. Worth checking directly with Balcas.

Regards

Maurice

rooferPete

Hi,

The "Official" distance from the back of the truck is 15 metres to the storage tank, the "unofficial" distance is 65' (from the truck driver).

.

denismac

I have been looking at the pellet option for a good few months and am very keen to go ahead with the replacement but for one thing - the size of the pellet boilers. I was hoping to whip out the oil boiler, slot in a new pellet boiler and away we go. However, the footprint of the pellet boilers is so much bigger than the oil burner, so much so that I haven't a hope of doing a straight swap. I have a bungalow on a sloping site that has a boiler house at the rear built in but it is not very big. Even if I were to manually feed it every few days, I cant seem to find one, of 25 to 30kw, to fit. Does anyone else have any problem like this and if so what is a practical solution?
To those in the know, is it possible to switch the heating boiler from one end of a house to the next and plumb into the system from the other end or is this too much of a disruption to the system?

dixiefly

denismac wrote:

I was hoping to whip out the oil boiler, slot in a new pellet boiler and away we go. However, the footprint of the pellet boilers is so much bigger than the oil burner, so much so that I haven't a hope of doing a straight swap. I

What is the footprint size of the pellet boilers?

mosskk

dixiefly wrote:

What is the footprint size of the pellet boilers?

I reckon about 2.5m x 2m in total, for a Gerkros 40kW boiler with approx 200kg hopper. That should be enough to allow access all around plus opening the boiler in front to clean out ash.

I'm speaking from experience of squeezing one into a space that's really too small ; RooferPete may have just the solution I need.....

Regards

mosskk

Kashkai

Hi all,

I'm in the process of adding 1,000 sq ft onto my existing 1,000 sq ft bungalow. I've been trying for months now to get info on a suitable wood pellet boiler to manage the central heating but everywhere I go I get conflicting advice. Some people recommend Gerkros from Tipperary but others say they're unreliable. Some suppliers say I can't get one that will heat the enlarged house while others say that I could use a dual oil/wood pellet set-up. Then there are the suppliers who are too busy to return your calls!!!!

I'm getting pretty fed up with the run around, especially as building work is starting soon. I know oil is going to go through the roof but at least its a proven technology with ready suppliers. Don't get me wrong, I want to do my bit for the environment (and save money if I can) but if I can't get some decent straight forward advice, then sorry mother nature but I tried.

If anyone out there knows of a good supplier of pellet boilers and stoves that serves the north kildare area, please let me know.

Regards,

Prosperous Dave

Highway

I'm getting quotes at the moment for a similar situation. Only have one so far, and waiting on another. Have a look at the following:
http://www.evergreenenergy.ie/
http://www.kbf.ie/
www.solarenergyireland.com

if you haven't already.

Highway.

morgana

Yeah I'm in the same situation, was hoping to swap old oil burner for w/p boiler. Gor a quote from Kerry Biofuels for the Oop which sound perfectly suited to what I want but unfortunately the "minimum the foot print for our system is 7ft x 4ft and that is tight and doesn't allow for any pedestrian access around the boiler / hopper etc." which worlks out at 2.15 m x 1.21 m and the boiler house is just 1.78 x 1.78 m, not that much missing but still too small. Darn.
Now trying to find other solutions but websites aren't really that informative. I'd rather go for a manual feed system as I don't really have storage room close by but a a big old shed approx. 150 m away which would be perfect for boxed pellet storage.
Now I am wondering, is there a w/p boiler that can be installed in the living room (all the pumbing would be more or next to the fireplace) or a manual feed one with a smaller footprint that can happily live in the boiler house? Before I shoot off another round of quote requests I'd like to know more about the available options.

rooferPete

Hi Dave,

I can only apologise on my own behalf but I expect most other suppliers are in a similar position it's 2.36 am and I am still replying to email enquiries.

As for telephone calls each call lasts in the order of 30 > 45 minutes which does limit the number of calls we take and return in any one day.

Most people who call to the showroom get better service they also get to see a Gerkros and Opop and have the differences explained to them.

As to the number of and different types of boilers available on the market most are designed for the continent where the houses are built to suit the heating systems in basements etc.

That said there are some neat tidy boilers coming on the market in the near future that will suit utility rooms.

The grant system has caused a demand that most suppliers did not expect I do believe that allowing some time will be to the consumers benefit as it will allow all concerned to catch up with the demand.

The last thing anyone needs is to buy the wrong the system, even the suppliers (yes like me) are concerned at the one size fits all claims by some suppliers.

As to conflicting advice that can be expected as each supplier will believe they have the best system available, however there are differences between each type, so get as much information as possible and choose carefully.

Even the supplier can make mistakes.

.

Kashkai

Hi Pete,

In addition to the extra 1,000 sq ft of living space, I'm also adding on a large garage (26 ft x 14 ft). I believe that this will be of sufficient size to house a wood pellet boiler and storage hopper. I see that you are in the business so in your opinion, is there a wood pellet boiler on the market that is powerful enough to heat a 2,000 sq ft house (the existing part is only 9 yers old and the new extension will be well insulated).

I also plan on installing a pellet stove in a children's playroom (21ft x 12 ft) and a pellet stove/multifuel stove in the kitchen (30 ft x 16 ft). As these will be the main rooms used in the house, I want to ensure that they are well heated. Is this overkill or money well spent.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Dave

tekkiemetal

HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF REASEARCH ON THE WOOD PELLET BOILERS
Got quotes from three different companies. The bottom line for me is that while I would love to change for several reasons, unfortunately it seems too expensive. I have found that the boiler price is only the start of it and when you are finished counting up the cost, it is about double the boiler price i.e. €16000. I would nearly do it myself but then there is no grant! I have'nt given up yet - is there a cheaper way I wonder?

iplogger1

More in relation to pellet stoves :

I must go back to the RTE realaudio archive but this morning I caught
a portion of a feature on "green energy" by RTE/Morning Ireland.
They seemed to be chatting to a couple of ladies in their elder years
in some scheme in Dublin where they had wood pellet/chip stoves
installed.

All was going well but at one point the interviewer asked the
lady about a hiccup in the early days of using the stove.
The interviewer described how the lady had put her hands
over her eyes as he revisited that incident.

Apparently some flue inserts had been badly installed and
some pellets managed to block up the flue or something similar
and cause flames to come out the front of the assembly.
The installer company glossed over it fairly quickly and
explained that the technology was young in Ireland even though
it is mature in Austria/Scandinavia and that there was some
unevenness in the quality of installations but that would
improve over time. that was the gist anyway. They had
since replaced the stove and all was hunky dory again.

Anyone here the clip ? I'm not drawing any conclusions
on it but it might set doubts in some people unless it
was properly explained as to what might have gone wrong.

rooferPete

Hi Dave,

I replied to your email, I hope I covered the basics.

Ip,

You heard correct there was a problem with the stoves when first installed, it was the same problem that I lost a lot of orders over because I refused to install stoves without the correct flues and air intake.

The problem was not a disaster, what happened was the flue had been installed the same way that most gas and kerosene boilers are using a balanced flue.

The difference is pellet stoves don't have balanced flues, the flue should be to the standard 303-5, and many require an air intake to the burn chamber, this is a seperate vent or pipe installed to manufacturers specifications.

The correct flue is expensive compared to the single skin light gauge metal some suppliers / installers were using.

The correct flue unless stated by the manufacturer and in compliance with the building regulations is a twin skin (layer) of stainless steel with fireproof insulation and installed in accordance with Part J of the Building Regulations.

There will always be ways to make an installation cheaper, however it can be expensive when two visits are required, especially when the second visit means installing the flue to the correct standards or the way it should have been done at the start.

I believe this is now covered by the SEI grant approval section, the majority have no problem paying the extra money for a proper installation when it is explained to them.

.

davidoco

One of my neighbours has had a wood pellet stove for years. He buys bags of pellets in bulk.

He is very happy with the stove.

The only thing I picked up on was the fact that he once got a batch of bad pellets. He said they still burned but would clog up every couple of hours. The supplier did offer to refund him part of the cost but he would be left with the pellets.

spud2

Just on the pellet storage side.... at the selfbuild show in Galway last Sunday I was told that Kingspan are currently designing an underground storage tank for wood pellets. Its based on some storage product they currently have. I have not contacted Kinspan on this but I'm also looking at the wood pellet option.. Its a selfbuild and I will have to make up my mind soon. In relation to the storage I'm not too concrened at putting a hopper in straight away.. I'm going to wait and see what comes onto the market on this front. I know the bags are more expensive ( will hopeful be a short term) but some of the quotes for the hoppers are too expensive. Hopefully a bit on competition will force down the price. If Not It will be a DIY storage job.

dixiefly

I have an oil burner that is 10 yrs old. I am thinking of installing a wood pellet burner as an add on to the system I hope to rub using the wood pellets but keep the capability to switch back to oil should it not work out. I saw in a house before where a neighbour was able to switch between gas and oil and back again.
Anyone have any experience with this?

rooferPete

Hi,

It is possible to link the two boilers, very easy in some cases, some people are worried about the pellet system and others want the option of using up their existing stock of oil.

Regarding storage I agree with Spud 2, there are systems being designed here that the transport costs alone leave room for saving a lot of money, why rush ?

There were problems with different types of pellet fuel the majority of the problems have been solved and there wil be even less problems when the new bagging plant is completed in Balcas.

There is another manufacturer opening soon in the Tuam area which should help with both quality and competition in the market.

.

tap28

With the grant and all I am very interested in a wood pellet boiler. As far as I can see the only way to go is to buy the pellets in bulk, however the cost of an external 3.5 tonne hopper seem ridiculous, in the region of €3,500. Does anyone know where these can be bought cheaper?

trotter_inc

Goll Mac Morna wrote:

The thing that keeps putting us off is the high cost of the boilers.

Do you know that you get a grant from Sustainable Energy Ireland for a pellet boiler? Think its over €4,000... www.sei.ie

I havent read all replies on this thread so apologies if someone else has informed you of this...

Irish Pellets

Just to give a heads up, I will have a large stock of pellets available from mid July, 6mm 0.5% ash 5% particulate or less, 10% moisture, bagged in 10, 15, 500 kg bags, minimum order 1 ton, more info phone 01-8357404

mosskk

What price the pellets ?

denismac

I am about to decide on the purchase of a wood pellet boiler but because of size restrictions I will not be able to place it in the existing boiler house. Therefore I will have to run a new flue through an external wall and I was wondering if there was going to be some issues around this. Will a normal metal flue do the job or will I have to purchase a special type of flue. There will be a couple of 45 degree turns to get it to where there is roof clearance and the run will be approx 20 - 25 ft. Any advice welcome.

denismac

The price of the 3.5 tonne hoppers seems very expensive at €2500. Is it not possible to build a hopper from wood with sloping floor and install the auger into that? As long as its dry and indoors, what are the arguements against it?
What would the required dimensions be?

Avns1s

Firstly, this has been a most interesting and informative thread. Thanks to all involved. It has answered a lot of questions but I have one more.....

Is there a boiler on the market that can burn either wood chip or wood pellet, i.e. alternate between the two fuel forms?

towbar

There is one that will burn pellets and corn, Verner boiler.
Not sure if any burn both pellets and chips as feed mechanism is different.

The Froeling one allows temporary conversion to logs I think.

rooferPete

Hi dennis,

When building your own pellet store make sure to seal any joints between the sheets of plywood, Balcas are very concerned about the possibility of sawdust being spread while the tank is being filled.

I fully agree with you, there should be no need to spend anything in that price bracket for a pellet store, there are two local companies setting up to manufacture stores, the transport costs alone should be worth the wait.

Avns1s,,

There is a duel fual system available, it can use logs up to 300mm long on one side and standard pellet as well, one of the advantages is it will start using pellet and light the logs from the pellet fire.

If / when it runs out of logs it will automatically change over to pellets.

.

Avns1s

Thanks Pete and Towbar. Will research these models.

denismac

rooferPete wrote:

I fully agree with you, there should be no need to spend anything in that price bracket for a pellet store, there are two local companies setting up to manufacture stores, the transport costs alone should be worth the wait.

Pete, thanks for the reply. I am wondering if there are any designs of home made stores available. I wouldn't have a clue how big 3.5 tonnes of pellets might be so what might the dimensions be? I'd have no problem putting one together myself if I had some specs to follow. Must give you a ring about your boilers.


Going over some older (March 06) information on systems last night and a steadily upward shift in prices is apparent, especially on accessories like flues. Something like a 35% markup in 3 months. What excuse for that?

gonk

rooferPete wrote:

There is a duel fual system available, it can use logs up to 300mm long on one side and standard pellet as well, one of the advantages is it will start using pellet and light the logs from the pellet fire.

If / when it runs out of logs it will automatically change over to pellets.

.

Pete, is this system on the SEI's approved list for grant purposes and how much does it cost?

mosskk

Pete

Any update on that combo silo/boiler house unit you wrote about some time ago ?

Regards

Maurice

beolight

is this a valid reference point

1 litre of oil = 2KG of wood pellets

rooferPete

Hi,

5 cubic metres will hold 3.5 tonnes of pellets, build your tank 6 cubic metres and you will have plenty of fuel while waiting on deliveries.

2m x 1.5m x 2m high will give 6 cubic metres, use the remaining distance from the floor to the bottom of your tank to slope it so your fuel will fall into a central point.

Moss,

The combi will be built but not by me, I don't have the time to do what other companies are already set to do, I expect a local manufacturer of garden sheds will take up the idea.

gonk,

There is one on the SEI list at the moment that costs around €11,000.00, if you are willing to wait a while another even better one will be approved soon retailing around €8,000.00.

Regarding price increases I think if you have the time to look at the commodities market all steel has gone up in price, I would expect the prices of stainless steel to jump even higher before the year is out.

This is a good way to start the knock on effects of the cost of energy, stainless steel has a very long life but requires a lot of heat to make, the heat regardless of the source is rising in price so we can only expect prices to keep rising even if they appear out of context.

I reckon that in the near future the consumer will not be worried about the colour of a product, give it a few years more and after walking a long distance to buy their heating appliance they won't care what it looks like, performance and longevity will be the main factors in the purchase of any heating appliance.

The big question is how long will it be before the above happens ?

.

MysterFixIt

Hi Guys, The market place is hotting up for wood pellet heating in Ireland. There are major and outrageous RipOffs in the price of boilers and in the price of fitting.

Boilers and burners are mostly seperate units just bolted together. Many of the Czech boiler units are suitable for logs/timber, as well as for pellet burners. Baxi do a humongous unit that will burn various biomass fuels.

Metal flues have to be special stainless steel grade for solid fuel and it has to be dual walled. This stuff is VERY expensive indeed.

The price of pellets is actually quite good in Ireland at the moment. The pellet dealers are to be congratulated for avoiding the Green Eyed Monster Disease surrounding the grants.

I have a blog where I have posted much of what I am learning on the whole subject. Have a look:
http://wood-pellet-ireland.blogspot.com/

gonk

rooferPete wrote:

The combi will be built but not by me

Will you be selling it Pete?

rooferPete wrote:

There is one on the SEI list at the moment that costs around €11,000.00, if you are willing to wait a while another even better one will be approved soon retailing around €8,000.00.

Can you tell us the make & model of these units (and again, will you be selling them?)

JimmySmith

We want to replace our outside Oil burner with a wood pellet burner, but i need to check some things. If anyone could answer these questions it would speed us along our merry way.

How big are the wood pellet burners. I mean, can we just swap out the oil burner for the wood pellet burner. Its in a little block building about 2 ft x 2ftx 4ft high at the moment.

I assume we would have to put a hopper on the top as we have nowhere to store the pellets beside the boiler house.

Also, exactly how much is the grant.
Thanks guys

pdeery

excellent post. i think i am going to go for the gerkros woodpecker 30kw to heat my 2500sq ft house that i have just started.

i would really be interested in the underground storage tank or the combi unit but is there a site that i can check them out on.

i dont have a garage and dont like the idea of a big silver silo outside the house.

thanks
P

De_man

pdeery wrote:

excellent post. i think i am going to go for the gerkros woodpecker 30kw to heat my 2500sq ft house that i have just started.

P

I have spoken to gerkros and found then extremely helpful

I thought 30KW for 2500sq ft is a bit low would you not go
for the bigger boiler?

There's several sites on the web that show you how to calculate
required boiler size etc,

I believe these links should be of help to you or just google calculate boiler size

www.deals4homes.co.uk/diyprojects/centralheating.htm

or www.diydoctor.org.uk


I'm just about to start a new self build just above 3500sq ft and i had calculated a requirement of 57KW (i had overestimated the figures a bit)
or maybe my figures have gone mad?

Best of luck

a pint of plain is yer only man

As we are now coming to the end of the heating season, I would be interested to know how people who opted for wood pellet boilers got on with them.

I shall soon have to make the decision between oil & wood pellet, I am aware that supply & quality of pellets appears to have been a major issue with some this year, is that still now the case?

Has anyone regretted purchasing or wished they had purchased earlier?

There are many threads on wpb's, I just picked this one to follow on rather than start (yet) another one.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote:

As we are now coming to the end of the heating season, I would be interested to know how people who opted for wood pellet boilers got on with them.

I shall soon have to make the decision between oil & wood pellet, I am aware that supply & quality of pellets appears to have been a major issue with some this year, is that still now the case?

Has anyone regretted purchasing or wished they had purchased earlier?

There are many threads on wpb's, I just picked this one to follow on rather than start (yet) another one.

Anyone??

the brickie

hi dolanbaker
i have just gone through my first year with my wpb.
started it the end of jan.06, my first delivery of pellets from balcas cost
€470 and lasted until sept 06.my second delivery lasted until 4 weeks ago
and cost €504,my latest load cost €544 because balcas are now registered
in ROI.so 13.5% vat instead of 5%
the boiler was using 20/25 kgs per day at the height of the winter last year
(very cold feb.march) and during the summer about 2/3 kgs a day because
my boiler (ETA pe 25) only turns itself on when the house needs heat,so it was only heating my hot water all summer.i hope to put in solar panels
this year to cut out all pellet use when the rads dont need heat.that works
out at about €4.5 a day winter use and 54c a day summer use, using the dearest balcas price per 3 tonne €544.
the boiler display told us to empty the ashes on christmas day,so that was 11 months to the day and 24kgs of ashes which had come from just less than
5 tonnes of pellets.

my advice would be do lots of research, especially into back burn protection
the better boilers are obviously much more expensive but there is a reason
for that,my wpb has 2 seperate augers with an airtight rotary valve between them seperating the onboard 60kg bin and the grate.
also check the esb consumption,the cheap boilers dont have automatic ignation and have to stay lit so check the brochures for full load consumption
of esb and multiply by 24/7.

the austrian boilers are top of the pile so judge all others against them.


hope this helps,we have no regrets whatsoever,except we bought ours last jan.and the grants came in march but you cant win them all

davidoco

posted in error, found answer

I am now coming to the conclusion that the best way forward is to go with an oil boiler, but site it with sufficient space around it to fit a wood pellet conversion kit at a later stage.

There is method in my madness..
1, I have yet to build the garage that will house the boiler, we intend to move iin to the house in mid may but it will be far from finished. So therefore I will just lay the floor slab and drop an outdoor "cosyman" boiler there and build the garage around it at leisure. Working largly single handed there is no guarantee that I could complete it before the next heating season.

2, I want to wait until the supply & quality of pellets issues have been resolved.

3, I shall install solar (water) panels on the roof of thr garage and as the house is insulated to a high standard, whatever fuel I use, the usage should be low. This of course means that the payback for the installation costs of any decent wpb (including the grant) would be much longer than if I expected to have high consumption.

I would have preferred to avoid oil but, it seems to be the best short option for me.