Indoor Boiler installed in Wood Shed vs. Central Boiler 6048

[Singed Eyebrows]

lots of good coments both ways. doesn't central boiler come with a 25 year warranty?? thats got to be worth a lot, no?

I always tell my customers that the best warranty to have is the one you never need. AFA warranty's go read the fine print. Few if any are what they appear to be on the surface.

Re" the efficiency ratings mentioned by COMO. As I understand things the companies that showed exceedingly high efficiency ratings all seem to have been tested in one specific lab. Draw your own conclusions.
If I had to guess I would say that we will see a complete rethink and overhaul of standards and test methods coming in the not too distant future. Possibly even something that bears some resemblance to real world conditions and valid protocols for efficiency. You heard it here first.

good point on the warranty...but this one includes 25 years at no charge. there are also rebates and the e-classic qualifies for the tax credit. sure knocks down the cost now doesn't it? what brands do you sell? "centralboiler.com" ask them any questions. every one that i know that has one is absolutley sattisfied. no i am not a dealer. just admire their simplicity and funtionality.

& thats their downfall "simplicity", It's just a box with a water jacket & not capable of burning cleanly. Sometimes you need to care about others or others will show you how much they care about you, Randy

jeez! how many bells and whistles do you want? as far as burning cleanly, how the heck can they achieve as 97% efficiency rating? (e-classic highest output rating with lowest emissions nov 11 2010 epa website...as advertised on central boilers site for the e-classic) as far as caring about others, it seems that at least twice a month, someone with a indoor woodstove is asking how to deal with complainers.

I don't believe I mentioned an efficiency rating. What I did mention was pollution & all non gassers are going to pollute to varying degrees. I care about my neighbors & get the Atmos burning hot as fast as possible. If you don't care about air pollution there is simply nothing more to discuss & you don't need to do anything. It will be done for you, trust me on that, Randy

 

[sdrobertson]

Hello all I have tried to search the forums and find the right answer. I am considering installing a Central Boiler 6048 but when I consider the cost of that unit for $8000 plus $3,000 in hookup materials (insulated pipe, heat exchangers, etc). Or I could invest in a $4,000 indoor unit and build a $1000 storage shed around it plus the $3,000 for the hookup materials. What I am getting at is if I build a shed with an indoor boiler I could save $3,000 on paper and be 3 years ahead on my return on investment.

Anyone install an indoor boiler in a shed or garage that backfeeds the house? Any suggestions good or bad?

My first adventure was with a homebuilt OWB that lasted for 4 years and then rotted out. I then purchased a CB 6048 that I ran for 2 or 3 winters. I live in a village but have almost 5 acres of property so I wasn't that concerned about covering the area with smoke as during the shoulder season I hooked the OWB up to a timer and only burnt it at night and lived off the hot water in the boiler during the day. In the middle of the winter, I would fill it before daylight, and then again after sundown to try and hide the smoke. When my father purchased a EKO, I was hooked on the decreased wood use, plus the fact that it didn't smoke up the neighborhood. I have a EKO 60 in a pole barn and I'm using the same water lines that I had with the OWB. The Central Boiler was nice as I didn't have to split the wood, I would just cut and stack it in the fall and then I would just throw it in and forget about the boiler. With the gassifier, I need to split the wood, and stack it up to dry it a year ahead to season I will burn it. At first I was concerned about how much work it would add to my fire-burning with all the extra work, but after having the gasifier for 3 seasons I realize that it is actually less work than before. Even with the splitting of the wood, I burn so much less that I'm ahead in the game.
In my opinion from using both the OWB, and a gasifier, there is no reason to put in the OWB. Even if it was more money, the gasifier in the long run will be a much better deal even if your wood is free. Free wood still takes time to process, and purchased wood costs more money.

 

[Como]

My first adventure was with a homebuilt OWB that lasted for 4 years and then rotted out. I then purchased a CB 6048 that I ran for 2 or 3 winters. I live in a village but have almost 5 acres of property so I wasn't that concerned about covering the area with smoke as during the shoulder season I hooked the OWB up to a timer and only burnt it at night and lived off the hot water in the boiler during the day. In the middle of the winter, I would fill it before daylight, and then again after sundown to try and hide the smoke. When my father purchased a EKO, I was hooked on the decreased wood use, plus the fact that it didn't smoke up the neighborhood. I have a EKO 60 in a pole barn and I'm using the same water lines that I had with the OWB. The Central Boiler was nice as I didn't have to split the wood, I would just cut and stack it in the fall and then I would just throw it in and forget about the boiler. With the gassifier, I need to split the wood, and stack it up to dry it a year ahead to season I will burn it. At first I was concerned about how much work it would add to my fire-burning with all the extra work, but after having the gasifier for 3 seasons I realize that it is actually less work than before. Even with the splitting of the wood, I burn so much less that I'm ahead in the game.
In my opinion from using both the OWB, and a gasifier, there is no reason to put in the OWB. Even if it was more money, the gasifier in the long run will be a much better deal even if your wood is free. Free wood still takes time to process, and purchased wood costs more money.

Says it all, should be a sticky.

 

[ISeeDeadBTUs]

My first adventure was with a homebuilt OWB that lasted for 4 years and then rotted out. I then purchased a CB 6048 that I ran for 2 or 3 winters. I live in a village but have almost 5 acres of property so I wasn't that concerned about covering the area with smoke as during the shoulder season I hooked the OWB up to a timer and only burnt it at night and lived off the hot water in the boiler during the day. In the middle of the winter, I would fill it before daylight, and then again after sundown to try and hide the smoke. When my father purchased a EKO, I was hooked on the decreased wood use, plus the fact that it didn't smoke up the neighborhood. I have a EKO 60 in a pole barn and I'm using the same water lines that I had with the OWB. The Central Boiler was nice as I didn't have to split the wood, I would just cut and stack it in the fall and then I would just throw it in and forget about the boiler. With the gassifier, I need to split the wood, and stack it up to dry it a year ahead to season I will burn it. At first I was concerned about how much work it would add to my fire-burning with all the extra work, but after having the gasifier for 3 seasons I realize that it is actually less work than before. Even with the splitting of the wood, I burn so much less that I'm ahead in the game.
In my opinion from using both the OWB, and a gasifier, there is no reason to put in the OWB. Even if it was more money, the gasifier in the long run will be a much better deal even if your wood is free. Free wood still takes time to process, and purchased wood costs more money.

Actual field experience . . . . Priceless!!

Efficiency ratings . . . . Useless!!

I thought the only advantage of a traditional OWB was the cost. If you're saying the indoor gassifier/detached boiler room is less expensive, then this decision is a no-brainer!! You've dismissed placing the wood-fired hydronic in the residence, so we'll not consider that option, though it has some advantages.

Myself, I'm on the top side of the 40's, and I would not want to burn more wood. I go get wood during the winter, and even with the advantages of diesel/gas/hydraulics, I'm sore. I want to keep doing this for a long time. If I had to double (leap of faith) my wood gathering efforts, I'd be in serious trouble.

Now comes the fun part . . . researching which boiler to obtain ;-)

 

[heaterman]

lots of good coments both ways. doesn't central boiler come with a 25 year warranty?? thats got to be worth a lot, no?

I always tell my customers that the best warranty to have is the one you never need. AFA warranty's go read the fine print. Few if any are what they appear to be on the surface.

Re" the efficiency ratings mentioned by COMO. As I understand things the companies that showed exceedingly high efficiency ratings all seem to have been tested in one specific lab. Draw your own conclusions.
If I had to guess I would say that we will see a complete rethink and overhaul of standards and test methods coming in the not too distant future. Possibly even something that bears some resemblance to real world conditions and valid protocols for efficiency. You heard it here first.

good point on the warranty...but this one includes 25 years at no charge. there are also rebates and the e-classic qualifies for the tax credit. sure knocks down the cost now doesn't it? what brands do you sell? "centralboiler.com" ask them any questions. every one that i know that has one is absolutley sattisfied. no i am not a dealer. just admire their simplicity and funtionality.

What brands do I sell?
Royall, HeatSource, Central boiler, Heatmor, Aquatherm, FireKing, Woodmaster, BlueForge, EKO, WoodGun, Garn, EconoBurn etc etc. are some of the brands we have installed and serviced for people.

 

[ch17011]

Hello all I have tried to search the forums and find the right answer. I am considering installing a Central Boiler 6048 but when I consider the cost of that unit for $8000 plus $3,000 in hookup materials (insulated pipe, heat exchangers, etc). Or I could invest in a $4,000 indoor unit and build a $1000 storage shed around it plus the $3,000 for the hookup materials. What I am getting at is if I build a shed with an indoor boiler I could save $3,000 on paper and be 3 years ahead on my return on investment.

Anyone install an indoor boiler in a shed or garage that backfeeds the house? Any suggestions good or bad?

My first adventure was with a homebuilt OWB that lasted for 4 years and then rotted out. I then purchased a CB 6048 that I ran for 2 or 3 winters. I live in a village but have almost 5 acres of property so I wasn't that concerned about covering the area with smoke as during the shoulder season I hooked the OWB up to a timer and only burnt it at night and lived off the hot water in the boiler during the day. In the middle of the winter, I would fill it before daylight, and then again after sundown to try and hide the smoke. When my father purchased a EKO, I was hooked on the decreased wood use, plus the fact that it didn't smoke up the neighborhood. I have a EKO 60 in a pole barn and I'm using the same water lines that I had with the OWB. The Central Boiler was nice as I didn't have to split the wood, I would just cut and stack it in the fall and then I would just throw it in and forget about the boiler. With the gassifier, I need to split the wood, and stack it up to dry it a year ahead to season I will burn it. At first I was concerned about how much work it would add to my fire-burning with all the extra work, but after having the gasifier for 3 seasons I realize that it is actually less work than before. Even with the splitting of the wood, I burn so much less that I'm ahead in the game.
In my opinion from using both the OWB, and a gasifier, there is no reason to put in the OWB. Even if it was more money, the gasifier in the long run will be a much better deal even if your wood is free. Free wood still takes time to process, and purchased wood costs more money.

Thanks for the insite. Do you have pictures or any way to explain how your system works? A 2K gallon storage tank sounds pretty extreme. My boiler will tie into a hydronic coil in my airhandler - pretty simple. I guess one of the pieces I will be missing if I go with a indoor boiler is the water storage is much much smaller..

 

[goosegunner]

I thought the only advantage of a traditional OWB was the cost. If you're saying the indoor gassifier/detached boiler room is less expensive, then this decision is a no-brainer!! You've dismissed placing the wood-fired hydronic in the residence, so we'll not consider that option, though it has some advantages.

A guy that I work with just put in a Heatmor 400 which is the traditional style OWB. He paid over $10,000 for the unit alone.

Another Coworker called me asking about my new setup, Econoburn 200. He said his quote for a new Heatmor 400 was $16,000 installed.

I told him it will be a while before I can say the Gasifer is the way to go, but 16K for a OWB seemed crazy considering all the other options out there. I referred him the this site and told him to start reading.

gg

 

[ihookem]

I think owb are so expensive is because they buy too big and 16k plus install is past the point of return in most cases. I can say my EKO is 80% efficient. What I did was measure the weight of my wood for about 36 hrs. I found a heat calc on line to figure about what my heat load was. I compared my btu output @ 6000 btu per pound of wood. My figures told me I was at 80 % efficient. I posted this last year and another poster replied and said with his calcs his also came in at 80 %.

 

[sdrobertson]

Hello all I have tried to search the forums and find the right answer. I am considering installing a Central Boiler 6048 but when I consider the cost of that unit for $8000 plus $3,000 in hookup materials (insulated pipe, heat exchangers, etc). Or I could invest in a $4,000 indoor unit and build a $1000 storage shed around it plus the $3,000 for the hookup materials. What I am getting at is if I build a shed with an indoor boiler I could save $3,000 on paper and be 3 years ahead on my return on investment.

Anyone install an indoor boiler in a shed or garage that backfeeds the house? Any suggestions good or bad?

My first adventure was with a homebuilt OWB that lasted for 4 years and then rotted out. I then purchased a CB 6048 that I ran for 2 or 3 winters. I live in a village but have almost 5 acres of property so I wasn't that concerned about covering the area with smoke as during the shoulder season I hooked the OWB up to a timer and only burnt it at night and lived off the hot water in the boiler during the day. In the middle of the winter, I would fill it before daylight, and then again after sundown to try and hide the smoke. When my father purchased a EKO, I was hooked on the decreased wood use, plus the fact that it didn't smoke up the neighborhood. I have a EKO 60 in a pole barn and I'm using the same water lines that I had with the OWB. The Central Boiler was nice as I didn't have to split the wood, I would just cut and stack it in the fall and then I would just throw it in and forget about the boiler. With the gassifier, I need to split the wood, and stack it up to dry it a year ahead to season I will burn it. At first I was concerned about how much work it would add to my fire-burning with all the extra work, but after having the gasifier for 3 seasons I realize that it is actually less work than before. Even with the splitting of the wood, I burn so much less that I'm ahead in the game.
In my opinion from using both the OWB, and a gasifier, there is no reason to put in the OWB. Even if it was more money, the gasifier in the long run will be a much better deal even if your wood is free. Free wood still takes time to process, and purchased wood costs more money.

Thanks for the insite. Do you have pictures or any way to explain how your system works? A 2K gallon storage tank sounds pretty extreme. My boiler will tie into a hydronic coil in my airhandler - pretty simple. I guess one of the pieces I will be missing if I go with a indoor boiler is the water storage is much much smaller..

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/18299/

 

[jebatty]

I also have had experience with an OWB aka "smoke dragon" (1997-2007), then Tarm gasifier with 1000 gallons pressurized storage 2007-to date. These both were used to heat my shop to interior air temp of about 55-60F.

OWB: heated my old shop 1997-2007, 700 sq ft (6,300 cu ft), poorly insulated; burned seasoned pine slab wood, normal winter days (-5 to +20F) had to load 2-3 times a day, used about 10-15 cords per winter. At times the smoke was so bad that a neighbor came over and thought the place was on fire.

Tarm: also heated my old shop 2007-2009; burned seasoned pine slab wood, normal winter days (-5 to +20F) had to burn daily 4-6 hours, used about 5 cords per winter, nearly smoke free.

Tarm: now heats my new shop, 1500 sq ft (20,000 cu ft), well insulated; burn seasoned pine slab wood, normal winter days (-5 to +20F) one burn of about 6 hours every 2-3 days, estimate 3 cords per winter, nearly smoke free.

My current estimate of 3 cords/winter is based on weighed wood burned in November (1288 lbs) and 873 degree days, with 9,768 normal degree days for my area of Minnesota; total estimated wood to be burned 6,620 lbs = 2.78 cords at 2,380 lbs/cord of jack pine.

EDIT: I will continue to refine my calculations, as I am weighing wood also for Dec and intend to do so for Jan and Feb.

 

[sdrobertson]

Good post jebatty....I get asked all the time on how many cords do I burn but I have a hard time giving good information on how much wood I actually go through as I have never really kept good track. I think I know to a extent, but I do not want to give out bad information as it would only be a guess. I do know that it is allot less than before. I'm starting this year to actually keep track.....

 

[ihookem]

So far I burned about a cord of boxelder, elm and popple. Not much for how cold it's been.

 

[Paso]

If you are on an acreage don't rule out something on wheels.

I have never regretted installing my project inside of my trailer.

Insurance has no issues all I'm doing is supplying hot water to the building.

Wouldn't work if your in town.