New Garn Jr is here

[MaineGuy]

Yes there run straight of the boiler. I'm using check valves and zone valves to prevent drain back. I'm going from memory now but according to the garn manual this is okay as long as your stay under a certain head. I am border line so I'll see how it works. I have a heat exchanger if I end up having to use one. I just wanted to see how it works without, because I'd prefer not to have to use one.

 

[kopeck]

You are not worried about corrosion?

What about noisy pipes?

K

 

[Woodfarmer1]

What is your total btu requirement from your heat loss calculations and how many sf are you heating?

 

[MaineGuy]

Not really worried about noisy pipes. I've installed it according to the garn manual. Plus I have a water treatment program which should prevent corrosion. I didn't do a formal heat loss calculation. Chris Holley my garn rep helped me some. My house is about 2800 sf. It's about 10 years old and fairly well insulated. I heated it the last 8-10 years with an OWB so I figure this is definitely an improvement from that.

 

[MaineGuy]

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Finally got the ETS hooked up. I designed the sequencing controller myself, well with a little help from a couple of my co-worker Electrical Engineers. Control's are functioning as there supposed to. Now just have to call my power company to hook me up to the dedicated 200amp service I put in so I can get on there load management plan. Off peak. This will hopefully if it works well be replacing my oil furnace which is in my garage no longer hooked up.

 

[TCaldwell]

your the first I have seen in new england to actually want to incorporate the ets, what is your delivered elec rate, like the garn enclosure.

 

[MaineGuy]

your the first I have seen in new england to actually want to incorporate the ets, what is your delivered elec rate, like the garn enclosure.

Well this will be kind of experimental the first couple years. I'm signing up for CMP's Load Management plan. Its specifically designed for ETS systems. Basically it's about $13.28 a month plus 1.63 cent's per kwh during off peak times. 8pm to 7am. So it's about $160.00 a year plus whatever electricity I use. I figure this is cheaper than keeping my oil boiler and maintaining it and worrying about if there's oil in the tank and if the boiler will run the couple times a year that it might be used. I'll have a better idea of the actual numbers after this first winter.

 

[maple1]

Are you talking a complete 'real' ETS unit, or just adding elements to your Garn to be time controlled & function like a 'real' ETS would?

My electrician suggested I should check that out with the power company here if I got tired of burning the wood I do, but I haven't.

 

[MaineGuy]

Are you talking a complete 'real' ETS unit, or just adding elements to your Garn to be time controlled & function like a 'real' ETS would?

My electrician suggested I should check that out with the power company here if I got tired of burning the wood I do, but I haven't.

No I installed a Garn Jr. The electric is strictly for if I go away and can't build a wood fire. I might experiment with using it a bit in the shoulder season just to see how much it's really going to cost me. I've done all kinds of calculations but I don't think I will truly know the cost until I have a chance to try it.

 

[TCaldwell]

1.63cents/per khw delivered, at that rate why split wood. All kidding aside compared to my 18.6 cents that sounds great.

 

[MaineGuy]

September 13th. I just fired up the Garn. It's a little early I think. But it's chilly in the house. I'm also curious how long a heated tank will hold temperature.

 

[Lathe Farm]

September 13th. I just fired up the Garn. It's a little early I think. But it's chilly in the house. I'm also curious how long a heated tank will hold temperature.

Congrats! Looks great. Working on installing my Garn Jr. at the moment. Curious how you maintained access to the the manhole and anode rods on top. Did you leave a cutout or some sort?

 

[Woodfarmer1]

Yeah but it's a generic manual for all there models. These appear to be additional ports that don't show in the manual. At least I couldn't find it in there?

I ordered all the 2" based on their manual, costing close to $700 at least when it arrived I was able to get all 1 1/2 which was much cheaper.

 

[MaineGuy]

The top I ended up just laying Roxul batts on top then 2" thermax on top of the batts. I cut out around the sensor well. But just covered the manhole. I'll have to take off the insulation to access it but it's just laying there so it as shouldn't be too difficult.

Congrats! Looks great. Working on installing my Garn Jr. at the moment. Curious how you maintained access to the the manhole and anode rods on top. Did you leave a cutout or some sort?

 

[surefire]

How's your winter coming along, MaineGuy? How's your cord consumption?
Just re-read your thread (it's a favourite) and it gets me dreaming again about my future garn!

 

[dlabrie]

Hi Maineguy,
Can you give us an update on how your Garn Jr. has been working for you?
Thanks