I am looking to replace my oil boiler with a wood burning boiler or gasification boiler. Does anyone have any experience of these being fitted and can you recommend a model or installer.

Hi oK

Donot think they are worth the extra for a plus of 4% over a down draught type ..plus you have to have a Fan assist so this knocks the 4% gain back down have a look at a Morvan afx

http://www.alternatstyle.com/alternat/catalogue/chauffage_au_bois/chaudieres_a_bois

Dave

Wood gasification is an age old and fascinating technology. It’s just great to see how something so simple can be so efficient. I'm planning to install a system based on wood chip with auto adjust and auger feed. All of these bells and whistles are not essential however and certainly a simple whole log charge is a lot cheaper to buy and to install if you want.

The thing about these systems is that they produce a tremendous amount of heat very quickly. So the essential component in any system design is a Storage vessel so that that heat can help and then be trickle feed to the house where and when its needed. Without that storage you'll have to deal will massive serges of energy, and when the charge is burnt it all goes cold again till its recharged.

I suggest you get in touch with a heating engineer to help you design your system at least if not install it as well. Once you really learn the wonders of pyrolysis (gasification) then you'll be hooked, just like me.

If you want some numbers then email me and I'd be glad to pass on the contacts who know about this stuff.

O

Oracle & Dave

Thanks for response i have sent you both PM's.

Anyone else had experience with wood boilers thye happy to share?

We replaced an old oil boiler with a Hargassner wood pellet boiler a couple of years ago. Very efficient, very economical to run and it looks after itself, we just empty the ashes once a month or so. They are expensive to buy & install but you can get credit d'impot & possibly a 2k grant from the region. Let me know if you would like further info.

I was just going to recommend Hargassner. They brought out their new log boilers last summer and so far are providing popular. The wood chip and pellet boilers are also very popular. They are an Austrian make and whilst there are other makes on the market from countries such as Poland, you do get what you pay for. DaveandSue is right - you get 16-22% credit d'impôt, and if you're getting a pellet boiler you may qualify for the 2000€ financial help from the "Aides Regionale". They are also running a scheme whereby you get an instant discount of 1030€ in relation to the "Certificat d'Economies d'Energie" or C2E, providing you don't already benefit from the 2000€ fincancial help.

PM me for me info or advice if you'd like, or even a qualified heating enginner. I've worked there as Accountant and Secretary for nearly 4 years so can help translate if you wish, provide brochures etc.

hth, Sarah

if possible have you got the details of the agent for these boilers? I am looking at short rotation coppicing as a way of providing fuel but need an efficient boiler to go with it. Thanks