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Has anybody got a wood log boiler for their central heating? I mean instead of a gas or oil boiler heating the water that circulates around a radiator system, the boiler uses logs.

Any particular makes anybody can recommend? Any info. on this kind of system would be helpful.

They're talking about just that on that l-o-n-g woodburning thread again.

All I can say for makes is, if you're at all urban check the list published by the DEFRA for clean-air-act clearence:

http://www.uksmokecontrolareas.co.uk/

The Yorkshire by Dunsley (which is still smokeless even with a boiler fitted) seems like a good bet (said Andy, when I asked!), but might be overkill unless you've a big house.

Thanks for the reply Candy, but to clarify, I am talking about a wood log boiler that might be fitted in your garage, not a wood stove with a little boiler wrapped around it, fitted in your lounge or kitchen. Generally the log boilers might have a 1500 litre buffer tank (very highly insulated) that is heated up to 90c. The water from this buffer is then used for the central heating / DHW.

I have heard about these log boilers, I think they go from ?3,000 upwards but qualify for a Low Carbon Buildings Programme grant.

Never heard about anyone who had one though. I think the logs need to be cut to a standard size, too. I can imagine some feed problems unless you can get really standardised logs.

They burn very efficiently though, 90% upwards apparently. The other thing (as Candy points out) is that they need to be DEFRA-approved to be 'officially' legal, and a lot of them aren't - even though technically they meet the particulate emissions standards, they haven't got the official HETAS 'stamp'.

I've looked into this along with every other form of heating device known to mankind.

Some discussion here:

http://www.newbuilder.co.uk/forum/index ... 1129040251

Herz boiler here:

http://www.ruralenergy.co.uk/heating/?c=domestic_manual

Froling boliers here:

http://www.econergy.ltd.uk/FrolingFHG.html

More info here:

http://www.nef.org.uk/logpile/fuelsuppl ... oilers.asp

I thought the Froling boilers looked very smart.

My main concern (other than price) relates to the inability to have automated systems unless you go down the pellet or wood chip route.

We have to rip out our ancient gas boiler at some point but cannot make up my mind at the moment on best form of replacement.

Thanks Barney.

Gobsmacked!

Well I got a quote in for a Froling wood log boiler and I am VERY disappointed, as I had more or less decided this was the route I was going to go, but not at the price below.

Supply only:-
Froling FHG Turbo 3000 20Kw
1000L Insulated Buffer Tank
200L Expansion Vessel
25mm 3 port Mix Valve/Actuator Kit

Price £8,315 + VAT.

In my opinion this is a ridiculous price and doesn't even include fitting and plumbing - another 1-2k + VAT?

I am deflated, especially as I have built my 'lean-to' and have three wood-stackers full of logs/cut pallets (which I can still use in my solid fuel stove), but.......

I think I will have to look for another manufacturer and supplier...... that are a bit more cost-conscious!

This type of boiler is that sort of price, apparently Snow, even on the continent. People accept that they are going to save a lot of money on fuel and the kit is high quality, robust construction, so will last.

We have ordered one of these:

http://www.thermotec.co.uk/index.php?pa ... -walltherm

Not as pricey. Hopefully a good product.

Thanks Sally - I have emailed them.

frogger wrote:.............plus the maintenance that needs to be carried out what with stocking the furnace every day or so plus the risk of injury if the children are around :S

You get used to the maintenance and the cheaper fuel bills that go with it.

Fit a fire guard if you are worried about children or teach them not to touch it. We bought up two children in a small living room with a wood burning stove, which was our only source of heating and on all the time, and no fire guard without any mishaps.

One of our children badly burnt her hand at a friend's house when she touched a central heating pipe that was over hot due to a boiler fault. You can't mollycoddle them all the time, they've got to learn about the dangers of life on their own.

Apparently Austrian suppliers are the leaders in this area. And now you can get automatic combi-boilers for wood pellets and logs. Definate progress in this area.

I know somebody growing willow that is harvested every three years for it wood. Impressive.

More developments coming!

snow hope wrote:Apparently Austrian suppliers are the leaders in this area. And now you can get automatic combi-boilers for wood pellets and logs. Definate progress in this area.

I know somebody growing willow that is harvested every three years for it wood. Impressive.

More developments coming!

http://www.woodpelletstovesboilers.com/ ... oiler.html

Amazing. When it comes to hvac I have actually noticed that these Austrian pellet boilers might not be the best cost wise, but when comparing quality I am a huge supporter of these systems. From the few I have installed, I have received nothing but positive feedback.

The trouble with wood pellets are that they are an engineered product that would be difficult to get in a resource depleted future. No pellets, or the wrong sort of pellet, and the stove is useless; expensive and useless. Stick to something simple.

kenneal wrote:The trouble with wood pellets are that they are an engineered product that would be difficult to get in a resource depleted future. No pellets, or the wrong sort of pellet, and the stove is useless; expensive and useless. Stick to something simple.

I agree. The one I was trying got scrapped because of what later turned out to be a batch of faulty pellets. How can you have faulty pellets, when they are just compressed sawdust?