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[Uponthehill]

I am looking at purchasing a Portage and Main (PM) vs. Central Boiler.  I like the PM 2840 or 3444 but am curious on the efficiency vs. their 250 model.  First of all, are there any KY users of PM and second, how many chords of wood did you burn this year 2013/2014?  I have ~ 2500 sq.ft. house w/ ~ 1700 sq.ft. garage.   I am going to install in the shop and pipe to the house (230 ft.).  Wood will be dry in the shop, shop will be warm.  Win / win.  House and shop are well insulated.  Any ideas / comments appreciated.  If someone close to Elizabethtown or Louisville has one, I would love to stop by and see your PM unit.  Thanks.

[slimjim]

Uponthehill, Welcome aboard, I really don't like to promote on square footage as there are times that the heat load is way off, it sure does not sound to me that you are in need of our 34-44 as it is way overkill, the 28-40 sounds more like your heat load, can we talk about your shop, I really don't like to see any wood boiler inside a shop or barn as there is far to great a danger of fire, where I'm from in Maine it is actually against code to install any solid fuel device inside a structure that also houses any amount of fuel, we may have a new dealer(I'm Hoping) in Kentucky, I will speak to him! I will also send you a PM with my contact info, I am not a salesman but instead a rep for PM and am here to help those installing units do it right the first time, feel free to give me a call anytime.

[merrellroofing]

I wouldn't put in an enclosed area. You would get smoked out. (Not in a good way) I've seen them inside but cut into the building with the loading door outside. Then your mechanical is inside.

[Uponthehill]

Thanks guys. My shop is insulated and finished. Concrete floor. Two foot concrete step wall with metal on the walls. Absolutely nothing flammable.  I am going thru the roof with 3 wall pipe. Already checked with insurance. No problems there. As merrelroofing pointed out, there is smoke involved. This is my only concern. I don't want smoke in the shop and was hoping that if the blower is shut off and I crack the door for a few seconds, a draft would take care of any inside smoke.  What are your thoughts?  I was also leaning more towards the 28-40 as we'll. I don't want the PM to idle too much and by what I have read, the 28-40 should do well. I was also told that the 34-40 was cheaper than the 28-40. Is this true?  Maybe I misunderstood, or the reference was vs. the 250 model. Also, is a gasification model more efficient?  I have read several problems with the gasers and nozzle problems. I guess from getting too hot ?

Gasser or conventional....?

[slimjim]

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[Crow]

 Uponthehill, I can't comment on your gasser concerns but I do have a BL2840 and I will say that although loading with the fan off is recommended by the manufacturer I prefer to load with fan on. If the fan is off I get a face full of smoke and when I fill when in a burn cycle it is almost smoke free. That being said I am only using the one 4' chimney that comes with the boiler, and maybe you will get a better draft with more chimney to clear your roof?

[Crow]

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What does this mean Slim??

[Jwood]

Gassification models are most definitely more efficient, and as far as the nozzle issue I'm not sure but remember that you always here about the bad. You may have read about a few with nozzle problems for every few there are probably 1000 working with no issues. Case in point when I bought my truck I read they have weak pistons on some forums but never once read my 06' duramax is the best damn truck I've ever owned, well guess what I've had not one issue with my truck

[slimjim]

Wow,technical difficulties this morning, sorry about that guys!

[Jwood]

 

[Crow]

 Too much heat down in Florida?

[slimjim]

Was working fine last night but now my keyboard is doing funky things!

[TheBoiler]

Have you carried out a Heat Loss Calculation.

What is your wood supply, no wood is free but do you have more than you know what to do with and like cutting or at the other extreme do you buy in.

Your current system may give you an idea of load. P and M have an inside Boiler, add a bit of storage and that would max efficiency.

[Scott7m]

Uponthehill, I have private messaged you on here introducing myself and didn't hear back, just making sure you got it

I can work with you on your p and m purchase and answer any questions you may have, I'm a couple hours to your east based on what I can gather

[Uponthehill]

Thanks guys for all the input.
Jwood, very true !

Boiler, no I have not ran a heat / loss calculation, but I assure you, I will before I sign a check.  I do have an endless supply of wood, and plan on turning cut time into "family time".

Scott7M, I did get your message, thank you. Sorry for not calling over the weekend. I know time flies and it will be late fall before we know it. It seems like I take the weekly trash out every other day. I'll call you one evening this week. Talk soon...