Especially for you, we have performed an analysis and compiled a rating of long-burning solid fuel boilers. The data was taken from the Internet sales market among the most popular domestic resources and electronic catalogs of climate technology for heating a private house, and tried to figure out what modern solid fuel boilers are for long burning, what are the differences between them and what are the advantages and disadvantages.
In order to answer the question "How to choose a solid fuel boiler for long burning for the home?" - to begin with, let's define what they are and what are their differences. What is hidden behind the definition - long-burning boilers, what is their difference from other solid fuel boiler installations?
Features of long-burning boilers
The first and most important fundamental difference is the way the fuel burns. In these units, the technology of the combustion process differs significantly from the traditional classical “bottom-up” scheme, as is customary in conventional stoves and furnaces, and which covers the entire portion of fuel with flame at once. In this case, everything happens exactly the opposite - from top to bottom, like a candle. A stable effect is achieved due to the telescopic design of the air flow distributor, which, under the action of its own gravity, presses on the flame and gradually moves it down. As a result, the fuel slowly burns out in layers, along the entire height of the vertical combustion chamber, starting from the upper level - a kind of upper combustion boilers.
This design makes it possible to burn material in a measured, even and better quality, increasing the efficiency and duration of the mode of one load. In addition, this feature allows you to: increase the service life of the unit, since moving the heat source over time reduces the "fatigue strength" of the steel heat exchanger compared to traditional furnaces, in which the hearth is stationary and motionless; and completely abandon the use of additional battery heat storage.
Mechanical temperature control of the coolant is carried out by a thermomechanical draft regulator (based on bimetal), which directly affects the air valve. Therefore, they can be used in systems with both natural and forced circulation of the coolant.
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And the second distinguishing feature is their "unpretentiousness and omnivorousness." And what is especially important in the heating system is the most economical fuel consumption. For example, to generate a power of 20 kW, their operational indicators are (type of fuel / one-time load, kg):
- firewood (≤ 50 kg);
- fuel briquettes - wood (≤ 110 kg) and peat (≤ 119 kg);
- coal - stone (≤ 145 kg) and anthracite (≤ 170 kg).
Due to specific design features, they are single-circuit and have an efficiency of about 91–93%, one of the highest in their class. For the complete burning out of a single laying of firewood, they need up to about 30 hours, and the amount of heat generated during the combustion of coal is enough for four days (for a private house with a daily requirement of 150 kW / h), depending on the temperature difference inside and outside the house. Their few drawbacks can only be attributed to the restriction on the use of pellets, manual loading of fuel and ash removal.
Nevertheless, today solid fuel boilers are considered one of the most promising alternative heating sources. Convincing evidence of this is the popularity ratings and the constant trend of growing interest in this particular segment of equipment for heating a private house.
TOP-3 most popular solid fuel boilers
- Lemax Forward-12.5
- NMK Siberia-Gefest KVO 15 TE
- Protherm Beaver 20 DLO
Tip:
Read also: How to choose an electric boiler for home heating.
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Market trends - we choose the best solid fuel boiler for long burning in 2016
The popularity rating of solid fuel boilers for long burning is based on an analysis of statistical data on demand and consumer preferences of numerous users of the domestic Internet network (stores and product catalogs). Having carefully studied the rating data, choosing the best solid fuel boiler is not difficult.
It is safe to say that out of the whole variety of heating equipment, solid-fuel models are confidently gaining popularity and are gaining their adherents, especially those who do not want to be dependent on prices, the state of the economy and the vagaries of nature. Over the past year alone, the growth of their segment has confidently reached 7%, while the most demanded for heating houses are still: gas (73%), and gas with a boiler (10%). Electrical and condensation - in total, cover no more than 8% of the market demand.
By energy type the boiler rating is as follows:
- natural gas - 86%;
- solid fuel (all types) - 8%;
- electricity - 6%.
Net power, kW:
- ≤ 15 – 18%;
- ≤ 16–25 – 53%;
- ≤ 26–35 – 16%;
- ≤ 36–50 – 7%.
TOP-3 of the best solid fuel boiler Lemax
- Lemax Forward-12.5
- Lemax Forward-20
- Lemax Forward-16
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The most popular models - rating of the top 10 solid fuel boilers
What solid fuel boiler it's better? Among the variety of brands presented on the market, consumers give preference to well-known brands, choosing reliability and quality for home heating. The best solid fuel boiler is worth choosing under the brands: STROPUVA, Zota, Candle, Pereko, Heiztechnik, Buran, Gefest, SWaG, Metal-Fach, Viessmann.
Among these manufacturers, the top rating of the most popular models is headed (power, kW / maximum heated area, up to m2 / dimensions: H × W × D, mm / weight, kg / price range, rubles):
- STROPUVA:
- S40-U (40 / 300 / 2100×680×680 / 333 / 112636–126000);
- S30 U (30/240/1850 × 680 × 680/309 / from 109725);
- S20 (20 / 150 / 2100×560×560 / 231 / 56400–80654);
- MINI S8U (8 / 64 / 1350×557×557 / 164 / 52800–59840);
- Pereko:
- KSD 22/28 (28/80/160/1350 × 660 × 760/352 / from 128250;
- KSW Prima 20 (20/160/1150 × 450 × 660/245 / from 128250);
- KSX 21 (21/168/1400 × 450 × 570/269 / from 109000);
- KSW Alfa Plus 18 (18/144/1200 × 390 × 525/214 / from 89175);
- Zota 40 Carbon (40 / 320 / 1090×695×1150 / 284 / 66045–67970);
- Candle 20 (20 / 160 / 2070×570×570 / 250 / 107861–151504).
- Heiztechnik Q PLUS 15 (15 / 120 / 1390×530×700 / 304 / 77210–81460).
From the rating we conclude that Lithuanian boilers of the company are recognized as the best solid fuel boilers for home heating Stropuva, The efficiency of which reaches 91.6%, all other firms do not exceed 80%.
With all the positive advantages, at first glance, heating of private houses with solid fuel boilers has its own specifics of operation, imposes certain restrictions on the owner and causes some difficulties associated with their constant maintenance, procurement and storage of fuel materials. Unlike gas and electric ones, they constantly need to be manually “refilled”, cleaned and ash removed as it burns out.They are unable to work autonomously without human intervention for more than 3-4 days in a row. Heating up of the heating system and its exit to the operating mode is longer. This means that you cannot leave your home unattended for long.
Nevertheless, modern technologies are gradually increasing the efficiency and ease of use of these units, the types and quality of the fuel used, automated methods of loading, feeding and removing ash are being developed and implemented, and the automation of monitoring and control is improving. Therefore, the consumer chooses exactly solid fuel boilers for long burning as the best alternative to expensive gas heating.
See also:
- 11 best home water heaters according to user reviews
- 13 best gas heating boilers according to buyers
- 17 best electric boilers according to buyers' opinion
- 19 best indirect heating boilers according to customer reviews
- How to choose a solid fuel boiler for heating a private house
