Woodburners with backboilers

Catatonia


Joined: 26/10/2010
Posts: 27

Message Posted:
02/12/2010 14:56

I am looking at bringing in a woodburner with a backboiler (not available here so having to import from the UK). This means that the radiators in the house can be heated using the woodburner. It looks as if it may be cheaper to bring in a number of woodburners at the same time rather than just the one. I have the knowledge of how to install the woodburner and connect to the radiators. Is there any interest out there in woodburners with backboilers?

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
02/12/2010 17:23

We purchased ours here last year, I had it linked into the diesel boiler, expensive project,and lots of teething problems but well worth it.



But remember in the event of a power cut, You can have a major problem if you have not got an auto switch over genny,



Also just a tip, get a larger one than you need, because about 70 % of the energy goes to the Back boiler.

NCWeddings


Joined: 06/08/2009
Posts: 135

Message Posted:
02/12/2010 18:36

Have you got an idea of the ball park costs involved?

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
02/12/2010 19:23

it cost us approx £3.5 K inc the Multi fuel Burner, but our was quite complex due to it being linked in to the diesel boiler.



I dont think many people here have the system because of the fitting. I really struggled to get it installed, and then myself and a good friend, He is a competent C. H. engineer ,and I had many years in Bathrooms ,Heating and plubming, and we managed to sort it.



I had to get a few parts from the UK. Much simpler job if there is no secondary boiler involved.



But I wanted ours to switch the diesel boiler off when it got up to temperature,



Very important to have one a bit more efficient than you need, ours does not heat the rads, as well as the main boiler,



But its a very good bonus instead of all the heat being wasted,



But you must bear in mind that in the event of a power cut the flame will not switch off, like with a gas or diesel boiler.



So if you dont have a auto genny, you will need a good expansion system. This is a must.

hawkeye


Joined: 12/09/2010
Posts: 334

Message Posted:
02/12/2010 20:37

Our friends has one installed for hot water and 3 rads (A Villager) and it was a bigger than needed, it never worked on both properly it used so much wood, they could not keep it stoked enough, when they drew of water the rads cooled down.

Also the other problem was that here they fit the fires into a fireplace, it's not the idea with a multi or log burner, most of the heat goes up the chimney or outside through the wall. It should be fitted with a large space around to allow the heat to get into the room Re Inglenook. We had ours fitted into the corner of the room on an inside wall and its heats the kitchen and the hall, we have gas central heating for rads and hot water we rarely use the central heating as the multi fuel does a very good job. Electric cuts the reason we have both. We cook casselroles and boil the kettle on the top of ours when it is lit. It also does fab bread baps on the top in an old cast iron frying pan with a lid. Oh and you need a trivet to put the pan on.

plumber



Joined: 27/08/2008
Posts: 85

Message Posted:
03/12/2010 00:34

It seems a good idea at the time , before installation, but usually ends in tears, its just not worth it . If your not an expert installer, my advice is dont start the installation as it can be very dangerous as well as costly.

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
03/12/2010 04:58

Tend to agree in some ways with message 6. But ours does a big villa, with about 7 big rads and 3 heated towel rails, But I think it is important to have some knowledge of the workings of the system.



I have had a fair bit of trial and error.

snd1966


Joined: 10/06/2009
Posts: 353

Message Posted:
03/12/2010 05:27

Definitely agree with no 6, seemed like a good idea. We were quoted 750 pounds to modify our fire, a hunter (hubby labouring) to include three rads and the hot water. We then had to change to just the three rads. When I grumbled about the heat I was told there was no free lunch. Also the price almost doubled so it left an awful taste in my mouth plus the living room does not get to the temperature it use to. Plus the amount of wood used and the time it takes the fire to heat the actual room. When we had coal / coke I must admit it was better but have not found any since 2007.

Hippo


Joined: 02/02/2007
Posts: 2070

Message Posted:
03/12/2010 06:38

I went into this very carefully when we installed ours, having had a much similar system in UK (mind you as a tree surgeon and forestry contractor) you have endless free wood)



The cost v the amount of time you really need it here outwieghs the other.



We now just have an ordinary woodburner.



Gas central heating for litarally an hour and a half a day when its cold.



Secret is good insulation in your home (cavity wall insullation is fitted to ours)



You would be better buying a secondary heat exchanger for the chimney and introduce a warm air cirulary system.

Catatonia


Joined: 26/10/2010
Posts: 27

Message Posted:
03/12/2010 08:25

JohhnyLee

You say you bought yours here? Where? I haven't managed to find anyone yet that supplies woodburners with backboilers here or in the south. Would be interested to know about a supplier here.

Thanks

rigsby


Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 912

Message Posted:
03/12/2010 10:38

Our old neighbour had one fitted about 6 years ago,ie; woodburner with back boiler for hot water only.A chap called Gary from catolkoy supplied and fitted it.Sorry i dont have any phone numbers now.

snd1966


Joined: 10/06/2009
Posts: 353

Message Posted:
04/12/2010 15:18

Rigsby - I think he is long gone now! - Greenium but Ray I believe has just left for the UK

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
10/12/2010 18:05

Message 10, sorry not to reply, we hav been in the UK for a few days, We purchased ours from the Fireplace shop, just out of Gire on the right going towards Bellapais Lights, I think it is called Altinkar, or something like that.



Hope you get sorted,

cyprustom


Joined: 23/09/2008
Posts: 60

Message Posted:
10/12/2010 20:19

Go to AKINLAR,,,have a word with the owner mustafa, he will supply you with wood burner with back boiler, had them in stock when I bought mine 2 yrs ago, fitted it in then and I have lashings of hot water, however remember theres no such thing as a free lunch, heat water,,loose heat to your room from the unit,,matter of getting the balance right with something like heat retension blocks, depending on design will work perfectly fine on gravity,,,,, akinlar is on main road between main nic/girne roundabout and karakum on the left/h/s from girne,,,tom