Solid fuel boilers, even with the advent of energy-efficient gas heating stations, have not left their positions in the market. They are also in demand due to familiar design, reliability and performance. For home use, this is one of the best ways to supply heat. But inside the segment there is a competition between units of different types. The classic coal, wood and combined systems are opposed by a wood chip boiler, characterized by an optimized design and wide functionality.
Features of a wood chip boiler
Compared to conventional solid fuel boilers, woodchip models differ in their raw material handling and heat distribution systems. A special hopper is used to load sawdust or wood chips, from which the material is supplied to the combustion chamber. When the heat treatment cycle ends, the waste is sent to the appropriate collection. Despite the presence of new functional units, the design is modest in size. Usually these are compact units with an ergonomic control system, designed for use by non-professionals. Already in the initial segment, boilers for wood chips for the house are provided with electronic control systems with automation. The aforementioned loading process is in particular controlled by sensors. The user can learn about the parameters of the workflow through a special display.
As for the direct function of providing heat, it is implemented using the contour infrastructure of hot water supply. The design of the unit provides a whole compartment with heat exchangers that communicate with the home pipeline. That is, heating boilers on wood chips can replace the function of a boiler installation, although this feature is fully available only to high-performance models.
Varieties of the unit
Such boilers are divided according to the possibilities of working with other heating materials, the levels of automatic control and the number of circuits. If possible, the loading of fuel raw materials can distinguish standard and combined models. The first type is specially designed for working with sawdust, shavings and chips. Combined modifications also allow the use of pellets and other biofuel granules. Classification by automation systems is also interesting. In the simplest versions, the wood chip boiler implements a semi-automatic supply of fuel to the combustion chamber. The most developed devices allow you to fully control the microclimate parameters in the heating rooms. For this, boilers are supplemented with thermostats with remote sensors. As for the circuits, the basic modifications include open air heating, and several heat transfer lines allow you to use the equipment as a water heating equipment and for cooking.
Basic selection options
The basic characteristic of a modern boiler is power. In many ways, it also determines all other parameters. For a small house, you can limit yourself to a model whose power potential is 40-50 kW. Multifunctional water heating equipment for a private two-story house can work with a capacity of about 90 kW. Next, the material of manufacture is determined. Here the choice is between cast iron and steel units. Models of the first type are positioned as durable, but if suddenly for one reason or another the case is damaged, then it will be impossible to restore it. The steel boiler on the chips is initially not so strong, but in case of structural deformation or crack formation, it can be repaired by welding.
Should I choose models with long burning?
The concept of long burning implies the presence of a larger combustion chamber and a secondary afterburning system. The so-called pyrolysis effect is realized, which provides not only for the thermal processing of the main fuel material, but also for the combustion of the emitted gas particles. At the same time, boilers on wood chips of long burning are installed only on the floor due to their impressive size and corresponding weight. The feasibility of acquiring such an aggregate takes place if it is planned to service large areas with heat. The boiler is characterized by a combination of high performance and fuel economy, which indicates its energy efficiency. But for a small house, there is no sense in such an acquisition - in any case, the compact wall-mounted unit from the standard series will no less worthy to cope with the tasks of heating.
Top manufacturers
The most widely represented segment is foreign companies, including Froling, Buderus, Hargassner, ETA and others. These manufacturers sell powerful boiler plants with modern automation and advanced functionality. However, a solid fuel boiler on chips of imported origin is not cheap. Models for a country house, for example, are estimated at 60-80 thousand rubles. average. Domestic manufacturers of thermal equipment, such as the companies Teplodar, Mr. Hit and Danko, offer more affordable solutions, the cost of which can fit in 30-40 thousand. True, the technological development of Russian units is not so high compared to foreign competitors.
Conclusion
If we compare this type of boiler with alternative heating methods, then there will be many questions regarding the benefits that you can count on with this choice. On the one hand, it can be high ergonomics with automatic control, and on the other hand, energy efficiency, supported by the possibility of universal use of the boiler. What will have to sacrifice, acquiring a boiler on the chips? The main disadvantage of such equipment is the maintenance and preparation of fuel raw materials. Such boilers are very capricious and demanding on the characteristics of the same chips. The feed material must be thoroughly dried, and in some cases also subjected to preliminary mechanical processing.