Wood Pellet Boilers - Recommendation on Size of Boiler

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househunter0

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Hi all

I know there have been numerous posts on the Wood Pellet Boilers but I'm coming back now looking for advice. We are going installing a boiler in a new build, approx 1500sq ft. We were told originally that we would need a boiler of 30KW for the house, however, more recently we have been told by others that 30KW is too big and will end up costing us too much for the size of the house.

Can anyone give me guidelines on the size of a boiler required for different house sizes? I had a quick look on SEI's site but didn't see anything.

Any help would be really appreciated.
 
30KW is way too big for your needs...

A 16kw boiler would be sufficent for a house of your size. A friend of mine has a Kedco franchise and they have been recommending 16KW boilers for houses up to 2200 sq foot depending on radiator count and whether they are running UFH or not. This will lead to more effecient use of pellets.

Quick tip if your a new build....Put a masonary chimney on your garage if possible. A way more stable and cheaper solution than a flue, also more [FONT=&quot]aesthetically pleasing on the eye.
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Househunter
What make of Wood pellet boiler are you thinking of installing?
 
Hi househunter,

Would be interested to know if you've priced any other products other than the Gerkros offering? Also, is there any data supporting which is the best system from a technical perspective? Thanks, apple1
 
Hi Apple
I am Looking at the TwinHeat CPI 12 It will burn Corn, Pellets, and wood chips, I think it is around 9K which seems to be the cheapest considering it will burn 3 type of fuel, and it is modular also,
Which ones have you looked at?
 
Hi Apple

To be honest with you, I haven't priced any other systems as I got this one through a relative of mine and Gerkros is the only supplier he deals with.

There may be differences between different suppliers but I did see a very good post by someone on another forum and he said that although some suppliers were being recommended above others, the key is to get it installed properly. He had installed a few of them and said it is essential that you plan it out properly and ensure you have the correct storage area for the boiler/hopper and/or pellets (if buying in bulk).
 
FD,
I'm only starting down the road of looking at boilers - no idea of cost or capability yet. I hadn't considered a multi-fuel boiler but would be interested to know approximately how much more expensive these are than the pellet only boiler. When you say corn & chips, are these commercially available for purchase as a fuel? Thanks, apple1
 
FD.....I also meant to ask what the significance of "modular" is? Thanks again.
 
Apple, i'm no expert but this is what i've picked up along the way
Modular allows the boiler to burn at different rates depending on the heat required so it can burn slowly right the way up to full power,
some boiler's are only on and off which can be more inefficient during the start up, so i'm told. also modular may be better for underfloor heating that is calling for heat a different times,
I think the prices are anything from 4000 euro more expensive than your bog standard boiler but then how available and how expensive are pellet's going to be in the future, Wood chips are available but very bulky, and i cant see corn been a problem to get your hands on, as long as its at the correct moisture level, I'm only looking into this also but i think getting stuck on one source of fuel could be a mistake especially the way oil goes depending on supply and demand
 
Getting a plug in here for a friend of mine but anyway... :)

Your local Kedco franchise will go out and do a site analysis and give you specific guidelines on how to prepare for a Wood Pellet Heating System in your home. The pricec of the Kedco boiler is between €5200 and €5900 depending on boiler size. This price includes boiler, 220kg hopper and Augar.

Bulk storage can be catered for by a 3.5 tonne silo which costs €2300 or alternativly by a self build storage unit in your garage.

A double insulated flue fitted with a draft stabilizer is also needed, and this can cost up to €900 depending on size needed. It must have 1m clearance of the ridge of your roof.
 
Am considering going for wood pellet - have noticed from the Balcas Website that they have a 3-4wk lead time now for pellets. Also I saw on Irish Biofuel Website that they are charging €300 per ton..... I seem to recall wood pellets being about €155 a ton.
What are people experience in getting deliveries of wood pellets as well as price variations?

ninsaga
 
I have installed a 45kw boiler and it is eating the pellets. I bought 1.3ton pellets for €465. Balcas are taking out storage container for about €1300 + vat, but this was first meant to be on the market in Jan, then Feb, then Mid April. I rang today and it is now June.

I believe that there is also a problem with the large wood pellet storage tanks, the pellets get broken up when they are blown into the storage and this can cause problems.

I have been told by a plumber that he has taken out 7 wood pellet boilers in the Donegal area as the customers were very unhappy with them and also two customers have received refunds for the storage containers because of the problems with the pellets breaking.

If I was to build again I would go with an oil boiler.
 
What make/model of boiler are you using - what did the provider say -or have you contacted them?
ninsaga
 
Firstly, I have to say I have a vested interest in the wood pellet industry, I commission boilers for a friend who has owns Kedco franchise on a part time basis. Certain suppliers of boilers and fuel in this country are giving this industry a bad name. Bad installations, incorrect sizing of boilers, contaminated pellets, dutsy pellets are all issues that have been highlighted on this board over the last few months.

But there companies out there who are doing the job right and who have satisfied customers.

Builder, A 45 KW boiler is massive. I know a small hotel thats currently running on a 50KW boiler. But maybe your house is that big? Anyway, if your heat need is 45 KW then you will burn alot of pellets. Is it possible to run your boiler at a lower output? Eg 30KW?

If you get good quality pellets, and your fuel supplier is blowing them correctly then they should not shatter. I've seen 6mm pellet been blown into self build silos, indoor canvas silos and outdoor silos and there was minute shattering of pellets.

Yeah, The Balcas product looks good and may be worth the wait. Alot of people are not willing to give over their garage for pellet storage which is fair enough, so this product would allow you to auger through the wall of the garage.
 
just a quick note....these boys are very loud so if you can, put it in outbuilding it might be best.

good luck
 
ninsaga said:
So how is the correct boiler size determined for a house?
Click to expand...

An initial rough guide used for the Kedco WPB is...

houses up to 2200 sq foot 16KW boiler
houses up to 2800 sq foot 24kW boiler
houses up to 4000 sq foot 30KW boiler

Then a more accurate heat loss calculation would need to be done for the house.

how many radiators? What are the dimensions of the radiators?

Is there UFH, how many square metres of UFH is there?

You will also use up to 3KW for heating hot water. However this will be less if you have solar panels.

There are alot of good websites that show you how to calculate this accuratly, these websites also take into account the quality of insulation in your house.

You can change to output on the Kedco boiler anyway, ie you can run a 24KW boiler at 20KW if needed.
 
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