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[CJ]

So, like many other people, I'm looking to break away from the strangle hold of gas companies and seeking out other alternatives as the price keeps rising. Our most recent quote was $400/mo for this coming winter on natural gas.

While googling these alternatives, I came up short most of the time. Lots of advertisements for different OWFs that seemed sketchy at best and not a whole lot of real, truthful information about them, so I googled for forums and found this site and have been reading up quite a bit of information but was left with more questions for each answer I got.

The first thing I found is that we'd have to get a gasifier, which isn't a big issue because of it being a more efficient and puts off less pollution. Big bonuses in my book, and when I think of the money I'm saving and how it will pretty much pay itself off in about two years of usage, I don't mind the small extra cost.

My questions are based on getting started from scratch and switching our heading system over.

The first issue is, we're looking to heat two houses with this. The first is about 3,200sq ft, the second is around 850. They are about 60 feet apart from each other and the furnace would be going in our back yard between them.

Second was about brands. Obviously we want something high quality, but I've not been up on what brands are good to go with, and as I said before, a lot of what google was pulling up had websites more fitting for infomercials.

Third, in the first house, we use the natural gas furnace to heat the hot water for showers, sinks, etc during winter months. Would it be possible to do the same using an outdoor furnace or is that getting into a whole other area of frustration that isn't worth dealing with and just use the hot water tank year round that we use for summer months?

I also read there is a certain type of wood that you have to use with a gasifier, but I didn't get too far into reading up on that yet.

Anything else I should know as a newbie while trying to decide if this is the correct route to go?

Oh, and some other information that may be useful:
We live in central Pennsylvania, very rural area, town of about 1000 people or so.
Our heating system in both houses is currently Hydronic. The larger house uses natural gas while the smaller uses propane.

Thanks heaps in advance.

[willieG]

So, like many other people, I'm looking to break away from the strangle hold of gas companies and seeking out other alternatives as the price keeps rising. Our most recent quote was $400/mo for this coming winter on natural gas.

While googling these alternatives, I came up short most of the time. Lots of advertisements for different OWFs that seemed sketchy at best and not a whole lot of real, truthful information about them, so I googled for forums and found this site and have been reading up quite a bit of information but was left with more questions for each answer I got.

The first thing I found is that we'd have to get a gasifier, which isn't a big issue because of it being a more efficient and puts off less pollution. Big bonuses in my book, and when I think of the money I'm saving and how it will pretty much pay itself off in about two years of usage, I don't mind the small extra cost.

My questions are based on getting started from scratch and switching our heading system over.

The first issue is, we're looking to heat two houses with this. The first is about 3,200sq ft, the second is around 850. They are about 60 feet apart from each other and the furnace would be going in our back yard between them.

You can heat two homes with one outdoor stove. wood usage will be more

Second was about brands. Obviously we want something high quality, but I've not been up on what brands are good to go with, and as I said before, a lot of what google was pulling up had websites more fitting for infomercials.

Brand i have no idea really  but i think there are lemons in every brand out there and the way the owner treats them can come into play as well. you may have driven one type of care all y our life and maybe owned several and then you get a bad one and i think these stoves may be like that as well. I would search out the proven ones first ..the onels that have been around the longest and have a good track record. i think these forums may hellp with that


Third, in the first house, we use the natural gas furnace to heat the hot water for showers, sinks, etc during winter months. Would it be possible to do the same using an outdoor furnace or is that getting into a whole other area of frustration that isn't worth dealing with and just use the hot water tank year round that we use for summer months?
You can quite easily adapt your domestic water to one of these stoves and with the turn of a valve  go back to your gas heater for the summer

I also read there is a certain type of wood that you have to use with a gasifier, but I didn't get too far into reading up on that yet.


Anything else I should know as a newbie while trying to decide if this is the correct route to go?

about all i know of the type of wood for these gasifiers...DRY less than 20 percent moisture (one year old cut split and piled wood)

Oh, and some other information that may be useful:
We live in central Pennsylvania, very rural area, town of about 1000 people or so.
Our heating system in both houses is currently Hydronic. The larger house uses natural gas while the smaller uses propane.

i am sure ther will be other posts from folks whom own and operate these gasifier stoves with pros and cons...welcome to the forum and good luck

Thanks heaps in advance.

[kjw58]

Well you have come to the right spot, there is a wealth of info on this site, lots of reading.  I personnally think the gassifiers are the way to go, much more efficient, far less smoke, and much more heat out of less wood.  Having said that if you are not going to be burning well seasoned wood I would go with a conv. boiler. It makes a world of difference if you have well seasoned wood the gassifiers work great.  I would look at the Natures Comfort GT-220 or the Portage & Main Optimizer 250,  either will heat your 2 houses and all the hot water you can use.   

[martyinmi]

CJ
If you plan to heat that many sq. ft., I guess I would recommend something bigger than the optamizer 250 or the nc 220. You have over 4000 sq.ft., and you'll want to size your boiler to around twice what the manufacturer suggests their units will heat. A cb 2400, wood doctor he8000, p&m 350, or like sized boiler would be my suggestion to you. Of those three, I would recommend the he8000 wood doctor,mostly because of the way they are built and the materials used in their construction. If you speak to a metallurgist about boilers, they will tell you the differences between cold rolled steel-which is better than stainless-and boiler plate-which is the best of the three. From the discussions I've had, it becomes clear that in a boiler application, boiler plate is way better. It has much better ductility when exposed to  frequent cycling. I am learning more every day about these gasifiers, and I applaud you for your decision to buy one. Make sure and burn dry wood and you'll be happy. If you have the opportunity to see one under full gasification I would encourage you to take it.
  Keep us posted.
   Marty     

[CJ]

Thanks for the replies, guys. It's nice to have some good, solid products to look at.

The other thing I noticed is that it seems like it's impossible to find people online that actually sell these things and get an price estimate on the actual gasifier itself. Any suggestions on where to start looking there?

[martyinmi]

I'm not sure I'd buy one online. You can easily find a local dealer for whichever brand you choose by doing a search. Most brands have dealer locators built right into their sites. If not, they will all have a phone # you may call to find where your closest dealer might be. A lot of folks have found out the hard way just how important dealer support can be. There aren't that many parts on a boiler, but when it's 0* and you have a blower or pump or a solenoid quit you'll appreciate a dealer close by who stocks the parts you need to get you up and running again.
   
Where abouts in Pa. are you located? We have many tractor pulling friends from your state.

   Marty

[Bill G]

CJ,

I'm here in NE PA.  I just bought a P&M Opt 250 for my home.  Not done with the hook-up yet and, of course can't give a "report" on useage.

But, I did shop around as much as I could before making my decision to buy one.  I had the opportunity to see the P&M and the CB gasifier's working and they are both well made.  I would agree that you might consider just one step larger, up to the Opt 350 or CB's equivalent. 

I chose P&M because it appears to be slightly more efficient.  Again, both are well made. 

Looking forward to seeing the "fruits" of my labor in operation around the end of October.

Best of luck on your new adventure!!

Bill

[osentoskifirewood]

HAWKEN ENERGY is comeing out with a gasifiers that will burn green wood at 96% efficient stack temp at 120 it will blow all other a way. it call xc-10 it is easy maintance it will be price lower then most  stove. It will be out in fall 2011.

[Bill G]

96%  Rigggght!   Bath salts  optional???

Bill G.

[oldchenowth]

Welcome.

I bought a Wood Doctor HE5000 last year.  Very happy with its performance.  DRY wood is key.  I have read many promising things on the Portage and Main also.  Sounds like you would want a bigger unit for the two dwellings.  HE 8000 maybe or =.  I was told by the owner of Wood Doctor I could put mine within 10' of the house.  Not sure about codes, just repeating what I was told.  My humble opinion, good choice going gasser.  I know I finally made the right choice the first time

Rich

[CJ]

So I can't seem to get a strait answer anywhere. We've been looking at the WD HE-8000 as the possible choice since it seems to be highly recommended, but I can't seem to get a quote from anyone on the cost of the furnace itself so I know how much we're going to be looking at spending. I sent an email to WD because their website lacks a list of dealers and have yet to hear back from them.

[martyinmi]

CJ-
   Give me a call @ 989-640-4074 and I'll give you a few #'s to get the ball rolling for ya. They sell directly from the factory also,so you can eliminate a middle man,but you give up local dealer support.

Bill G-
   Well said!

[RSI]

CJ
If you plan to heat that many sq. ft., I guess I would recommend something bigger than the optamizer 250 or the nc 220. You have over 4000 sq.ft., and you'll want to size your boiler to around twice what the manufacturer suggests their units will heat. A cb 2400, wood doctor he8000, p&m 350, or like sized boiler would be my suggestion to you.   

That doesn't make any sense. You don't recommend a GT220 because it should be double the sq ft rating but it is. (gt220 is rated at 8000 sq ft) They also have the GT500 which would be plenty big for sure.

[RSI]

HAWKEN ENERGY is comeing out with a gasifiers that will burn green wood at 96% efficient stack temp at 120 it will blow all other a way. it call xc-10 it is easy maintance it will be price lower then most  stove. It will be out in fall 2011.

we need a smiley that is rolling on the floor laughing. If anyone believes that I have some bridges forsale cheap.   

[RSI]

Last reply from me for now, as a lot of people here already know, I am a Nature's Comfort dealer. I would suggest looking up the local dealer and taking a look at one. If you don't like it, it won't bother me. (I won't make a cent off it if you buy it or not) but they are well built boilers and priced very reasonably. If you want to know anything specific about them you can send me a message.

If both houses are heated right now with hydronic systems them it will be real easy to hook them up. Just put a flat plate heat exchanger in and it will operate pretty much the same as the gas system did. (you probably need some controls, etc too) If the gas boiler heated the domestic hot water then the OWB will too. If not, you will need to add it on.