Solid fuel heating water boilers

A solid fuel boiler with water circulation in the heating circuit is the optimal solution for the engineering support of a private house. Due to the traditional principle of operation, availability of the fuel source and safe construction, such units are very popular. In the market, solid-fuel water boilers are presented in different variations, so it is necessary to approach the choice of the model for specific needs responsibly.

Boiler arrangement and operating principle

Against the background of other heating units capable of servicing private houses, this variety has one of the simplest designs. It is formed by a combustion chamber, a heat exchanger, a ash pan, a system of water circuits, as well as a housing, and in some versions additional control devices. During operation, solid fuel boilers with a water circuit generate heat, which heats the medium circulating in the pipes. Initially, the design of the boiler device must provide for the infrastructure that it will serve. Active elements of the system, spreading heat, will be the pipe circuits that pass from the design of the equipment to high-grade batteries. On how much heating channels spread, the power of the unit, suitable for operating under the appropriate conditions, depends.

As for the source of fuel, in this capacity, traditional firewood with coal, and biofuel in the form of pellets can act. However, the latter version is suitable only for equipment of special design or combined models. It should also be noted that hot water boilers with solid fuels emit coals during operation, so the owner will need regular cleaning of the ash pan.

Types of heat exchangers

Heat exchangers differ in the type of material used in the manufacture. Manufacturers produce them from steel, cast iron and copper. The cheapest are the steel models, which are made of plate-like metal. Such aggregates are not exposed to the formation of external defects as a result of contact with the coolant, but can be damaged by corrosion. In turn, cast iron water boilers with solid fuel are less likely to rust and withstand high temperature loads. But, unlike the steel analogues, such heat exchangers do not guarantee the absence of microcracks arising during direct contact with hot water. For this reason, the service life of cast-iron aggregates does not exceed 20 years on average. In terms of heat conductive function and protection against rust, it is more profitable to use copper exchangers. But they in most cases have small dimensions, which limits the possibility of using such models in large houses.

Modern modifications of boilers

On the basis of traditional designs, technologists developed pyrolyzed versions and models of long burning. As for the first variety, it provides for a chamber for secondary combustion - but not wood with coal, but gas, which is formed in the main stove. As a result, a second stage of heat generation takes place, which increases the efficiency of such boilers. But for their operation, it is necessary to connect to the electrical network in order to activate the fan, which pumps air into the additional chamber. The principle by which boilers for solid fuels of long-term burning of water are developed, comes from the desire of manufacturers to save the user from the main drawback of all units of this category. For the operation of a solid-state boiler, a regular laying of the same firewood or coal is required. Thanks to a more massive combustion chamber, the designers increased the combustion time, which also affects the saving of consumables.

Main characteristics

On average, such boilers have a power in the range of 15-20 kW. In this case, the calculation for the area served is carried out from the following proportion - 1 kW of power capacity per 10 m2. That is, a boiler for water heating with solid fuel with a capacity of 20 kW will provide heat to the house with an area of 200 m2. But this task can be solved only under condition of properly laid heating circuits, through which the water coolant will circulate.

It should also be taken into account that the unit will emit combustion products during operation. Therefore, it is important to calculate the diameter of the smoke outlet, which will require a hole in the roof. Dimensional characteristics also have significance. Since water boilers with solid fuel are not massively compact in size, in some cases users allocate special technical rooms for them.

Manufacturers

Heating equipment of high quality is produced under the German brand Buderus. In its lineup, it is possible to find units with a wide range of power potential, intended for both domestic use and for the needs of large enterprises. Also worthy of attention are solid fuel boilers with a water circuit from Czech developers Protherm and models of the Italian brand SIME. The products are characterized by reliability, high productivity and ease of maintenance, which is especially important for the operation of solid fuel equipment. Domestic boilers "Pechkin" and "Lemax Forward" have decent capabilities.

How much do water boilers with solid fuels cost?

In the initial segment you can find boilers with price tags of about 15-20 thousand rubles. This is exactly the production of Russian manufacturers, which has average power indicators. Models from companies of the Buderus level are estimated at 50-60 thousand. But much depends on the characteristics that water boilers have on solid fuels. Prices for units with a capacity of 10-15 kW, for example, can be 30 thousand. However, if the power potential reaches 40 kW, you should prepare for payment of amounts of 100 thousand or more.

Conclusion

The segment of boiler equipment is expanding due to new modifications in the segments of gas, liquid and electric installations. In this context, wood-burning models seem obsolete, but they have several important advantages. First, solid-fuel heating water boilers require minimal operating costs. At least, if we compare it with the electric analogues, since the gas units are also inexpensive. Secondly, and here already there is an advantage over gas boilers, solid-fuel models are the safest option for heating in this class.