Different Kinda Heating System

[toploader55]

Just fired up the Wood/Oil system. Works swell. As long as there is power, the circulator from the wood furnace kicks in. When there is no power , you just open up the zone valves manuely, and you get radiaent circulation.It at least keeps the house from freezing . Also makes hot water too.

 

[toploader55]

The Oil Burner...

Will kick in as the fire diminishes during the night

 

[toploader55]

Oops that was the Wood Furnace

This is the Oil Burner

 

[toploader55]

Tech Shots

Hearth of Wood Stove (Furnace)

 

[toploader55]

Spec Plate

HB Smith

 

[toploader55]

Combined

Hooked Up

 

[toploader55]

Sweet

Gettin' Hot

 

[volvoguy87]

I LOVE hydronic heat!

Is your system hot water, or steam? What kind of radiators do you have, baseboard, cast iron, radiant floors? These things are awesome and tend to work for a good long time.

Who needs a dryer when you can just drape things over a radiator? (Answer: Everyone needs a dryer, you don't want the washer to get lonely.)

I am trying to move to Boston, if I can find a job. Hydronic heating is way more common in New England than it is in DC, and I can't wait to get there.

Keep warm,
Dave

 

[toploader55]

Hey Dave

This all works off each other. When the Wood furnace gets up to temp, the Oil Burner stays at bey. Like I said when there is no power, Just open up the Zones, and the house "Percolates".

 

[toploader55]

By the Way,

Base Board and Radiator Heat exchangers

 

[volvoguy87]

I do love the radiators.

So many different styles and dimensions. I think radiators are just as much a part of a building as the walls and roof, and that they add to, rather than detract from, the decor. Having lived with forced air heat all my life except for 4 years in the dorms in undergrad school (we had hot water radiators) I really appreciate hydronic heat. No filters to change, no noisy blower, just bleed out the air and enjoy warm, relative silence. Your system also allows for the heat to keep the house from freezing during a power failure, something which is impossible with forced air.

I admire the creativity of your system,
Dave

 

[Brent-Aucoin]

What a great system you have in place there!
Did you do this system yourself? Or was it in place when you moved into your home?
It is such a smart system!
Is this a common set-up in your neck of the woods? Or is your system unique? I think it is great either way.
Also, what is the vintage of your wood burning system? Looks like it is in great shape!
Thanks for the pictures!
Brent

 

[polkanut]

I know several people that have systems similar to yours in my area as well. They love it too.

 

[toploader55]

My Situation

I was asked to house sit this house 4 years ago for friends that have a Whale Watch Boat and they take the boat to Florida in the winter. The boat runs from Marco Island to Key West. Well, here I am 4 years later and am the Care Taker of the house. The system is approx. 20 years old. I know alot of the homes here are using the Pellet Stoves. I only fire up the Wood furnace when it gets REAL Cold to conserve the oil as this is a rather large house. I have a studio in the house that is snug and warm.

 

[tomturbomatic]

The first year I lived in my Greenbelt house, we had hot water radiators. Until I had the 220 volt circuit for the 806 dryer, I had it backed up to a radiator and ran it on 110 volts. It was only slightly slower than on 220.

 

[toggleswitch]

Split wood not atoms............

~you just open up the zone valves manually, and you get radiant circulation.

Actually, I'm thinking your get "natural convection" which applies to all fluids (air and water). The warmer water will just rise and flow throught the system, and push the cooler water back in. It's less dense after all!

What happens should the circulator (water pump) not be running? How does the wood boiler "dispose" of the excess heat buildup? Is there another "Emergency" loop that, say, heats the basement or garage should the house heating loop be satisfied or otheriwse not running?

[Controlled fires/flames are very calming and soothing. They say electrons break down into photons which are "light" particles/waves. Lighting a candle is basically like having anther "person" in the room......because we are actually light whose vibrations have been drastically slown-down.

Oh sorry. Nurse; I'll need my meds, please........

 

[toploader55]

Excellent Question and I'm Corrected

It is Natural Convection. I was so excited of picking up the KitchenAid form Coldspot that i lost my mind. When excess heat builds up (Especially when we treat ourselves to Coal,) It dumps it into my Studio,the Laundry Room and the Other Garage. Which is exactly where my truck is during the winter. 45 degrees when it's 18 or so outside. Got to Love it. So sometimes the laundry room is 78-80 degrees.

 

[toggleswitch]

So what do the aquastats on the solid-fuel boiler do?

I'm guessing that one activates the house circulator, and that when the water temperature gets even higher a second circulator is activated to a secondary loop, as you said ==> being garage, laundry room basement etc.

BTW what is that device near the floor which looks like it is attached to the oil-feed line? It appears to have felxible SS braided hoses. Is it a fuel pump or cut-off device of some kind?

In the (very) old days, a barometric damper was employed that admitted air to the combustion chamber. It was thermostatically controlled (by way of a mechanical thermostat) to ensure an even burn-rate. Other systems used chains that went into the living space to adjust the damper for more or less heat. Is there any such device to control combustion air on the sold-fuel boiler that you have?

Thank you for your kind responses!

 

[toploader55]

Hey Mr. Toggle

That was recently installed. It's called a "TigerLoop".There must be a pin hole somewhere in the oil line. This device is designed to remove the air from the oil. We'll address this in the spring when the weather is nicer. The 2 aquastats are exactly for what you have described. The owner of the home told me that they are very useful especially if you are burning coal. Seems if the coal really gets cranking hot, and the system (Main House) is not calling for heat, it goes to the basement,studio and garage.(Man, is it nice to have a heated garage)

 

[toggleswitch]

Who needs a shredder when you have a fire-pit!

Thanks. Live and learn! A "burping device" to get the air out. YAY! I just hope your oil storage tank is above-ground!

uuuuhm, is WOODEN stick to hold the combution chamber door closed the safest option? *LOL*

 

[toploader55]

The Stick or the Door Holder Shutter

The owner has been using that stick for years. No Scorch Marks on it at all. The door closes OK, but it just needs to "snugged"up a tad more. I personally have been through 3 shredders.As long as you have a fireplace, or even a galvanized trash can,They are the most dependable of disposing of documents and statements.

 

[toploader55]

Guess What ?

$580.00 dollars later,The Oil Burner quit. Thank God it's not that cold on the Cape but the Wood Furnace has got me back on line. You know the best thing about this Wood Boiler is ???????????????? It heats the Hot Water Tank and I can Still run the Dishwashers and the Laundry. Yay for Wood.(As long as I have power to run the Circulator Pumps.)

 

[toggleswitch]

Yay for Wood!

And even better if you can still get it yourself and don't have to pay for it or to get it delivered.

So did you happen to replace the oil-burning head with a Riello brand?

http://www.riello-burners.com/2_products/2_oil-burners/3a_40-series-oil-fired.asp

 

[toploader55]

Hey Mr. Toggle

I'm on Wood for right this second. Didn't call service tech yet. I'll figure it all out tomorrow. Right now I'm snug as a bug in a rug !!!!

 

[toploader55]

Sweet Heat

Have 500 gal of oil left. Gotta get a Cord

 

[toggleswitch]

Vas ist das?

Ok, I see the pressure-relief valve to the back, right. But what is that to the back LEFT?