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[Bill G]

In the market for OWB.  Tons of but will take it slow.

I am a life member at my community fire company, and in '94 we installed a Mahoning 500k btu OWB.  Saved enough money to actually make payments on a new in '94 fire engine!  Which final payment made in 2009 so I can certainly attest to what can be accomplished with a bit of work.  There is one member who does tree removal for his living and he has taken care of wood supply since!  Good man.

Anywho, time for me to install OWB for my home.  2800 sq ft, plus 800 sq ft garage(currently un heated) and no need to keep heated every day, just for times of work or deer butchering.  But will install a bit of baseboard for times when needed.

As you could tell, my house is hydronic baseboard radiation.  DHW and heat comes from propane boiler.  DHW stored in a McClain 75 gal holding tank affair.  All works good except for the empty wallet and purse after this past winter here in NE PA.

We built the house in 2000 and its insulated well.  I did install a Quadrafire 4200 wood stove when we built house.  Should of, would of, could of, installed OWB right from the get go but most of you could see money tree was bare during build.  Anyway, 5-6 cord thru wood stove always kept LPG bill in check and we "was happy".  This year, feel like gas company just finished castrating me!  Wood stove always took care of basement and 1st floor and still does, but enough already on this yrs bill!

Started computer shopping and found quite a few different manufacturers.  I sort of ruled out Mahoning, and Shaver for various reasons, some of which I gathered from lurking around here.  But I ain't no where's close to a decision.  Most of you guys have far more experience and are certainly more current of whats available than me. 

Wanting "the best", and not wishing for peeing contest between members here, what would you buy if doing your OWB over, with whats available today?  A gasification job burns less wood, costs more...and whats a good tried and true OWB?  My calculations say 3 to 3.5 winters to recoup investment if whole job were 10g or under a little.  Running into a little (little) extra money from side work this spring and want to make wise choice. 

When we got the Mahoning, back 94, it had those catalytic converters in it.  They work great for while, but gunked up to darn quick.  We replaced once and then canned them.  Burns tad bit more wood, smokes wee bit more but zero aggravation cleaning those honey-comb junk.  In all these years, welded up one leak and replaced ciculators and blower motor a few times.  Really good luck.

Research will  get hot and heavy now.  Interested in hearing from a few pros on here and please don't get into the mine is better than yours crap.  Just interested in hearing what alls available these days and maybe brand names and models to heat my newer, well insulated house of 2800 sq ft.

Thank you for your truthful instruction in advance!

Bill

[Bill G]

Thanks for overwhelming response, research finished and Portage and Main unit ordered.  Optimizer 250.  Should do the trick.  Lots of junk out there!!

[kjw58]

Bill G
 I saw a optimizer 250 in operation last winter,  very impresive stove,  gassification is definetly the way to go,  very little smoke and burn a lot less wood than a conventional owb.   

[Bull]

I have a Hardy H2 that I got used. It is a 1991 model and I don't know all of its history but it appears to have been frozen at some time. I have no complaints with it. If I was going to buy a new one (and I may) I would look at the HE model of Heat Master that Yoder has talked about. I can't commit to burning only well seasoned wood and the extra upkeep so a gasifier is not for me. 

[Bill G]

Thanks for reply guys...

I was fortunate enough to have Portage and Main company look up a fellow who installed a Opt. 250 to his home in Oct 10.  He is a straight shooter and willingly invited me to see his furnace.  Well built and much better than the hand full of others I have seen and have experience with.  Yes, more expensive.  But hopefully the old adage, "you get what you pay for" holds true. 

I can see a very easy install for my home. 

Maybe should post in the P & M part of the forum and ask for some more in-put from folks using said furnace.

I do live on the outskirts of town and don't wish to draw undue attention to myself, so the gasification unit it will be. 

If/when I can ever retire, that furnace will surely be going along with me.  I am sure I will/may have questions upon install and am thankful to have found this forum. 

I found US made water to water HX on computer, for very decent price.  Also, my run into house is 46 ft to be exact.  What is the best 2 line insulated 1" ID pex piping available?  Got 2 manu. in mind, but interested in advice.  Realizing 46' ain't much and either would suffice.

Thank-you for listening/reading!

Bill

[RSI]

What kind of prices are the US made water to water heat exchangers? I think the ones I sell are made in China and would like to have a US made option if possible. The water to air heat exchangers and side arms that I sell are made in USA.

[NCredneck]

BillG, could you post some pics? I have not seen a P&M in person but the website shows a pretty impressive unit. The guy that you visited..Did he have a wood boiler prior to the P&M and if so did he share his wood usage difference? I am torn between the HeatmasterSS 5000e and P&M units but closest dealer is 4 hours for me. Not sure if I am willing to not have a dealer near me but considering it.

[Bill G]

Mr NC redneck,
     The guy w/stove is 20 miles from me.  Not a far ride but I won't be in his neck o the woods soon.  I'm sure he'll be happy to let me take pics.  Matter of fact I found a pic on here where he posted back in Oct. 10.  His handle on here is karlk.  Look back to that time frame and you should find it.  Think he titled his post, Portage and Main installed, on line, burning...something to that effect.  He is a mason by trade and had some help from plumber friend on install.  Nice clean job at that!  Told me not to hesitate calling if I have questions.  Thank-you Karl.

      My concrete pad not finished and couple other loose ends to tie up before I schedule delivery of furnace.  But, no great hurry, as weather is certainly nice.

      I have to write down the business selling the US made heat ex's.  I'll put it here when/if time permits this eve.

      No dealer close to me, so called direct to P & M on toll free # I got off website.  Spoke with Bryan and he was quite knowledgeable about thier products.  Sure looking forward to this project.  Initial outlay is a bit heavy, but you guys know better than me about the month to month rewards in the pocketbook!

      Karl is heating 3500 sq feet home w/800 sq ft garage and will heat his pool this summer.  He's very pleased and had a "in garage" early gasifier unit, which didn't quite do the job because of sizing.  But was good unit for someone with smaller home.

Bill g

[NCredneck]

Sorry Bill G, I meant when you get yours installed could you post some pics? I did see Karls and it looked nice. I also talked with P&M and got a drop ship price on a non-gassifier unit but still researching. Sorry for the confusion.