I am currently looking at installing a dual powered wood heater and gas boiler (LPG) hydronic heating system into our house (an old heritage listed primary school) in Northern Victoria.
I have spent a lot of time insulating and blocking gaps, however it's an old place and still far from ideal.
We have historically run a combustion wood heater almost 24/7 from around now until Spring as we have small children who spend most time at home. I currently have OK access to firewood and sometime need to pay for a load or two towards the end of the season.
I have been researching wood heater / gas boiler hydronic heating system, however the quotes that I have received all suggest different options and opinions.
Can anyone suggest an appropriate system, also my current wood heater doesn’t have a wetback etc, can someone suggest if the aftermarket options are adequate, or am I best to invest in a purpose built wood boiler.
My thought is that while I will still use the wood heater as the main heating option, this system will help my transfer the heat to other areas of the house and provide the option of using the gas boiler (LPG) sometimes when the fire goes out over night, to bridge the heat gap when the fire is low or to initially heat the house when retuning home.
Wood heater and gas boiler (LPG) hydronic heating options
(7 posts) (6 voices)-
Trent Gibson
MemberPosted Friday 19 Apr 2013 @ 3:13:31 am from IP # -
TonyT
MemberFor interest:
http://www.ata.org.au/forums/topic/2275#post-30879
http://www.ata.org.au/forums/topic/2275#post-31144
http://www.ata.org.au/forums/topic/1244
http://www.ata.org.au/forums/topic/635Posted Saturday 20 Apr 2013 @ 3:51:22 am from IP # -
TonyT
MemberInstalling a heat pump can avoid the many hours of labour that are needed to operate a wood-fire
http://www.ata.org.au/forums/topic/420/page/2#post-26277The costs per kWh of heat obtained from several sources are compared in a Chart at
http://www.ata.org.au/forums/topic/646/page/2#post-39901Posted Sunday 21 Apr 2013 @ 5:20:40 am from IP # -
Hi Trent, if you are getting the wood for nothing. I would suggest a purpose built wood boiler with enough capacity to run over night or close to it. LPG will cost a bomb as TonyT points out in his chart. I don't know what the heat load is for your house but i would suggest a buffer tank also so that you can draw off hot water as well.
Regards
Posted Sunday 21 Apr 2013 @ 11:36:07 am from IP # -
damjosh76
MemberI have an old house in the Blue Mountains.
I have a hydronic heating system with radiators in every room. I have a wood boiler and a gas boiler.
I usually use the gas during the week cause it's easier, but on weekends I use the fire as cause it's nice. The wood boiler I have is a Thermalux Gourmet with the large wet back on it. This is a great unit, slow combustion and it also has a cooktop and oven.
My gas boiler is a Raypak 197. If you're going to potentially have 2 different boilers on the same system it's important that they can't both be in operation at once.
I have 2 separate pumps (both the same Grundfos pump) however it needs to be wired so that if you're using the wood boiler with the dedicated wood boiler pump that the gas boiler and gas boiler pump cannot be active at the same time because they have no power.
I had lots of people tell me that it wasn't possible to have the 2 boilers on the one system. This is the second season that I have been running this setup and so far it hasn't posed any problems.
Posted Monday 27 May 2013 @ 6:40:21 am from IP # -
jtb
MemberHi Trent,
There are advanced wood boilers now available. They are common in Europe and the States but rare here. The boilers are more efficient and can take large loads so when used with a suitable buffer tank require far less refilling. Some also come with automatic ignition so you can load up when it suits you and it fires when your buffer gets cold. They also have very low particle emissions (smoke).
http://www.ata.org.au/forums/topic/3266/
They can hook into solar or heat pump and i imagine a gas boiler if you wish. Most need a plant room BUT there are some that can be installed into your living room that have a wood heater look.
Thermalux (Metaldynamics) have several good wood heaters with wetback options and I think they are made locally - but they are not as highly efficient as I am looking for. Pivot Stove in Victoria import the more efficient Esse Greenswitch which may be a good option for you. I am not affiliated with Pivot and in fact would rather stub my toe every day than buy from them (as they were rude to me).... but you may find what suits your needs. They have lots of other options and a good website. I personally am thinking of getting a Wood gasifier boiler OR importing a European wood heater with wetback (Back boiler). For a quick overview of whats available in the UK in this type see
http://www.boilerstoves.co.uk/boiler-stoves.aspjtb
Posted Tuesday 4 Jun 2013 @ 1:06:37 pm from IP # -
myrrheemarko
MemberHi there, I am looking for info re a simple hydronic system design using a wood stove with water jacket as my heat source. My intention is to run this without a pump and wonder if anyone has any advice re placement of radiators and pipes to allow this to occur through thermal siphoning alone.
Posted Thursday 18 Jul 2013 @ 12:20:15 am from IP #
