The best solid fuel boilers: what determines the cost

Tverpre-fuel boilers allow you to organize independent heating from external networks. They are installed by many owners of individual houses, offices, shops as the main or backup heat source. Taking into account the offer on the market of new technological solutions, for example, Focus solid fuel boilers, can solve the problem of expensive gas heating. The savings will total 50% operating costs per season. At the same time, consumers are interested in the best solid fuel boilers or just the details of choosing a particular model.

What determines the cost and efficiency of the boiler

Solid fired boilers fuel may differ:

• heat extraction technology;
• fuel supply method;
• the type of fuel and, as a result, the characteristics of combustion;
• heat exchanger design;
• the volume of the combustion chamber;
• materials for manufacturing;
• chimney requirements;
• heat capacity and additional design functions;
• combustion intensity control;
• a complete set of installation equipment.

Let's start a description of the selection principles, what the best solid fuel boilers look like, from the opposite.

Equipment

Solid fuel boilers must be connected to the heating system, taking into account certain requirements. First of all, the models differ in the specifics of their work. They can work in open systems with natural circulation and in closed ones with forced movement of the coolant. Taking into account the increased danger (water hammer, temperature rise above the permissible), in order to safely connect to the heat supply system, additional piping with a safety group is performed. The peculiarities of working with other boilers in parallel or in series can also be taken into account.

In other words, the best solid fuel boilers, or better to say complete equipment, may include a pump, a safety group and additional piping. But such solutions are quite rare.

Combustion intensity

Typically, the flame is adjusted manually using a mechanical vent through which air enters the combustion chamber. The valve can be automatic and controlled by control sensors.

Heat capacity of the case

If it is required to increase the heat capacity of heating equipment, it is made of cast iron. On sale you can find such models made in the Czech Republic. However, boilers made of heat-resistant steel with a sheet thickness of 6-8 mm are more popular. The rejection of cast iron bodies is associated with the installation of boiler equipment in specially designated rooms. If it will stand in the kitchen, then a model with a cast-iron burner is suitable to increase the heating power.

Chimney requirements

Safe evacuation of flue gases is one of the requirements for boiler equipment. The best solid fuel boilers have minimum chimney requirements. First of all, this is due to the technology of heat extraction not only during combustion, but also in exhaust gases.

Materials for making

The best boilers are made of heat-resistant steels with a thickness of 6 to 8 mm. The less the thickness and the worse the grade of steel, the less the purchased equipment will last. Particular attention is paid to the materials of the heat exchanger. As you know, copper is characterized by greater heat transfer. The use of cast iron in the internal structure not only increases the durability of the device, but also allows you to retain heat and transfer it to the coolant for a longer period of time.

Combustion chamber volume

The most relevant characteristic for our consumers is the duration of the boiler burning on one fuel load. Most inexpensive models are rated for 1-2 downloads per day. There are boilers on sale with an increased volume of the fuel chamber, which allows loading a larger volume. There are a number of modifications to the models that provide long burning.

It can be:

• pyrolysis boilers;
• vertical long burning mine boilers;
• pellet boilers with continuous fuel supply.

The listed types of solid fuel boilers differ structurally and technologically. Each model has its own merits. For example, mine boilers have a simple design and low cost, providing combustion for several days. Pyrolysis plants differ in the way they extract heat from emitted gases. In fact, this is a modification of a gas-solid fuel boiler.

Pellet boilers use volumetric combustion technology in the entire volume of fuel supplied continuously from the feed hopper. In this case, the duration of combustion without additional loading will depend on the volume storage bin.

Heat exchanger design

The heat exchanger transfers heat from one medium to another. In pellet boilers, heat energy is taken from the flame. Other models involve heating the coolant from the combustion products. Depending on the manufacturer, the type, design, features of the heat exchanger and, of course, the materials from which it is made may vary.

Used fuel

Solid fuel boilers can be designed for different types of fuel:

• coal;
• firewood;
• briquetted fuel;
• pellets and granules.

The best solid fuel boilers are those models that provide easy operation. That is, pellet equipment is subjectively better, but more expensive than a coal boiler.

Fuel supply method

The methods of fuel supply were discussed above. It is understood to be mechanically fed under the influence of the Earth's gravity or forced by means of a conveyor. The presence of a supply system, like other modules that simplify operation, leads to an increase in the cost of equipment.

Heat extraction technology

This has also been discussed above. Boilers can be designed to extract heat during combustion and from gases emitted during fuel combustion. In this regard, condensing boilers are considered the best, providing the extraction of thermal energy from flue gases.

What are the best solid fuel boilers

It should be borne in mind that solid fuel boilers are not made double-circuit. Hot water can be heated from wood, pellet or coal heating equipment, but only when installing a heat accumulator with an additional heat exchange circuit.

In many cases, there may be two sources of heat in a heating system. For example, an electric boiler is connected only if the coolant cools below a certain mark. Also, on the market, there are practically no modifications with a compensation tank and a forced circulation pump.

The best boiler is relative. Usually these are models with an optimal set of characteristics. They provide stable operation of the equipment in comparison with other models in their price group.

Characteristics of new industrial solid fuel boiler equipment FOCUS

Our company has launched the production of industrial solid fuel boilers with a capacity of 100, 200, 300 and 500 kW. The boiler body is made of heat-resistant stainless steel. As a result, the equipment practically does not undergo operational wear.

FOCUS boilers are hybrid, that is, they allow you to connect pellet burner for granular fuel and load coal or wood through the second door.

The most curious quality of the solid fuel boiler, which is not mentioned among the features of other models, is the PLUM electronic control system, which provides an unprecedented level of automation for a stand-alone solution. First of all, the system controls the intensity of combustion and allows you to accurately set the temperature of the coolant.

Expect new product on sale! If you want to automate the operation of a household solid fuel boiler, we recommend purchasing an automatic pellet burner FOCUS with climate control and a bunker for fuel supply.