I am planning to move into my family’s old house in S. New England this winter and looking for guidance regarding the choice of an OWB that will best meet my needs. I have been doing rigorous research, talked with dealers and narrowed down my preference to the Garn (2000 gallon) or perhaps another model. I have spoken with Garn but not yet Switzer. Specifically I would like to know:
a) is the model I am aiming at (Garn) the best choice for my circumstances?
b) is the Garn over-rated and would I do better with another company?
c) Which is the most efficient model (least waste of heat)?
d) Is the Switzer a preferred choice?
e) Is the UL issue with the Switzer too big an obstacle for insurance companies and building inspectors?
Here are my specifics:
• 1840 farmhouse with moderate insulation— 4,400sf on first & second floors (9 and 8’ ceilings respectively); 1500sf basement and full-sized attic.
• Current heat source: 3 oil-fired units. #1: heats domestic hot water and 2nd floor through an air handler in attic. #2 is a hot air furnace in basement, which heats most of first floor. #3 is a smaller forced air furnace at opposite end of basement and heats ½ of basement plus one large room on 1st floor.
• The house has storm windows throughout. An energy audit was completed last year and after some improvements were made it was recommended that we insulate the attic floor, and the ductwork seams. The chimney’s flue lengths are from 30’-35’. There is no central air. The building axis is east-west and it receives full sunlight in winter so there is some passive solar gain.
• Oil use: two years ago the occupants burned around 3000 gallons of oil, and set the thermostat very high (75-80F). Last winter the house was not occupied and I kept it at 40-50F and burned only 500 gallons of oil.
• I don’t want to use an indoor (within the house) boiler or wood furnace because of the older chimney maintenance and the traveling distance to the boiler room in the basement.
• There is another 1200sf building next to the main house that I would eventually like to tie into the system.
• The owb/woodshed would be sited 25 feet away from the house with a run of about 100’ of insulated pex pipe from house to shed.
My research:
• I have checked out the Central Boiler E-Classic and the Heatmor 200SSR2. I read that while they are both efficient, the also may burn more wood than the Garn for the same amount of BTU’s produced. An efficient unit would cut down on the work involved.
• I am seriously considering the Garn 2000, despite its relative high cost and the building preparation required. I understand the Garn has a relatively long life—is that true?
• I have read with interest the Switzer literature, yet cannot yet tell if that would be a better choice than the Garn. Can anyone convince me of the Switzer’s superiority for my circumstances?
Thank you very much for your help.
a) is the model I am aiming at (Garn) the best choice for my circumstances?
b) is the Garn over-rated and would I do better with another company?
c) Which is the most efficient model (least waste of heat)?
d) Is the Switzer a preferred choice?
e) Is the UL issue with the Switzer too big an obstacle for insurance companies and building inspectors?
Here are my specifics:
• 1840 farmhouse with moderate insulation— 4,400sf on first & second floors (9 and 8’ ceilings respectively); 1500sf basement and full-sized attic.
• Current heat source: 3 oil-fired units. #1: heats domestic hot water and 2nd floor through an air handler in attic. #2 is a hot air furnace in basement, which heats most of first floor. #3 is a smaller forced air furnace at opposite end of basement and heats ½ of basement plus one large room on 1st floor.
• The house has storm windows throughout. An energy audit was completed last year and after some improvements were made it was recommended that we insulate the attic floor, and the ductwork seams. The chimney’s flue lengths are from 30’-35’. There is no central air. The building axis is east-west and it receives full sunlight in winter so there is some passive solar gain.
• Oil use: two years ago the occupants burned around 3000 gallons of oil, and set the thermostat very high (75-80F). Last winter the house was not occupied and I kept it at 40-50F and burned only 500 gallons of oil.
• I don’t want to use an indoor (within the house) boiler or wood furnace because of the older chimney maintenance and the traveling distance to the boiler room in the basement.
• There is another 1200sf building next to the main house that I would eventually like to tie into the system.
• The owb/woodshed would be sited 25 feet away from the house with a run of about 100’ of insulated pex pipe from house to shed.
My research:
• I have checked out the Central Boiler E-Classic and the Heatmor 200SSR2. I read that while they are both efficient, the also may burn more wood than the Garn for the same amount of BTU’s produced. An efficient unit would cut down on the work involved.
• I am seriously considering the Garn 2000, despite its relative high cost and the building preparation required. I understand the Garn has a relatively long life—is that true?
• I have read with interest the Switzer literature, yet cannot yet tell if that would be a better choice than the Garn. Can anyone convince me of the Switzer’s superiority for my circumstances?
Thank you very much for your help.
