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[baldwin racing]

Hello Everyone,

Last year we built a new home. The contractor suggested an outdoor boiler, Burn-Rite (originally Mahoning) and I love it but I am using, what I feel is a huge amount of wood and coal. I burned wood last year as we moved in at the start of December but this year I tried using coal. Took a little while to get use to how to keep the coal from going out but from October to to January of this year I went through 5 tons of coal. I switched back to wood in January but I am on my 2nd truck load of logs.

When I was hooking the boiler up the contract (who has the same unit) said I needed to keep the pumps running at all times. I created a simple loop for the water so when the zone valves are not open it simply circulates between the house and the boiler. The Pex lines are 3/4" , 4ft below ground and it is about 110' from stove to house. Currently I only have foam pipe insulation covering them.

My questions are:

1) Should the pumps be running all the time? On normal inside boilers they only kick on when there is a call for heat.

2) How much wood or coal is used normally? ( I live in upstate NY)

3) My unit has a blower with an adjustable flap to min or max airflow. Right now I have this 3/4 of the way open. Should this be open full, half way or barely open? 

I am planning on building a section off my wood shed and enclose the boiler this summer. This will keep it out of the elements during the year, plus keep me dry while loading it during rain/snow lol.

I am glad I found this site. There are not many people who has these units in my area. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I love the unit but the high costs of using it is taking it's toll on my wallet. :-)

mike,
what are you calling upstate ny? If you live close i could stop by someday and take a look i live in waddington,ny on the stlawerance river about 45min from alexbay....there could be many problems.....is the house to big for boiler and it can not keep up to sq footage of house...2nd is the boiler way to big for house.....3rd pipeing major heat loss...if you are running infloor heat did the builder put enough insulation under the floor and around your foundation? there for over working your boiler....pex tubing to small...not enough flow to house..what kind of wood you burning? and is it dry or wet...
thanks kelly

I am about 4hrs south of you. (Elmira area) Years ago when I traveled for work, I drove through your town often as I was headed to Massena.

I believe the boiler is the proper size for the house. Before I purchased it the guy had a chart which selected the right boiler based on Sq footage of the house. But I haven't received proper info until now so perhaps I'm wrong on that too lol.

I used 3/4" Pex and the length of the run between boiler and house is about 110'. Going by some of the replies, I need larger lines and better insulation. I only wrapped the lines with foam and put them in the trench.

The wood I have been getting is mainly hardwood but it's not seasoned well. My supplier is selling the loads as fast as he can cut them down. Busy season for him this year. lol

mike,
i work in massena about 15 min from me....for Haun welding supply (truck driver) I know were you are i have relatives down in towanda,Pa (probly spelled it wrong) and drive threw that area.... sound like you need to get a good 5 wrap insulated pex lines and like mentioned go 1 inch.....but check with a temp guage and see what the loss is....
kelly