Boilers with a feeder are an alternative to boilers that have to be refilled manually. This is a solution that is popularly chosen mainly because such feeders make the boiler virtually maintenance-free.
How do boilers with a feeder work?
Boilers with a feeder are equipped with a special mechanism that feeds the fuel it contains into the combustion chamber. Feeder stove is primarily suitable for pellets and eco-pea, an ecological type of fuel that has recently become very popular. Their transport is carried out automatically without human intervention. Thus, it is a very practical solution. The speed at which the fuel is fed depends mainly on the power requirement, i.e. the air temperature you want to achieve. Boilers with a feeder are therefore easy to operate, and the user only needs to systematically replenish the fuel supply and remove ash from the boiler.
The most popular types of fuel feeders
There are two types of feeders found in boilers:
- screw feeder,
- piston feeder.
The first is a device that by its appearance somewhat resembles a screw or worm shell, which is why it is called so. The screw feeder rotates inside the trough and thus moves the appropriate amount of eco-pea or pellets into the combustion chamber.
On the other hand, the piston feeder for the stove is used primarily in boilers that burn coal and eco-pea. However, it can also be used for wood pellets. Fuel is delivered via this piston in predetermined portions. If the previous one is completely burned, the next one is delivered to the chamber. The frequency with which they are thrown into the stove depends mainly on the demand for heat. In the winter, such a feeder works much more intensively.
Sometimes you can also find models of boilers equipped with a drawer feeder. They operate on the same principle as reciprocating ones. However, they differ slightly in their construction and appearance.
Why opt for a boiler with a feeder?
The biggest advantage that influences the popularity of such a solution is, first of all, the great convenience, that comes with having such a stove. You only need to remember to fill the fuel tank and remove the ash, and the boiler will be practically maintenance-free. Thanks to this, the entire combustion process takes place virtually without human intervention. Thus, the boiler works continuously even when the household members are away from home.
Another advantage of using such a boiler is also that the feeder delivers the optimal amount of fuel to the combustion chamber. Thus, it allows you to save its supply. The feeder is integrated with an electronic controller, so setting the optimal amount of fuel is very easy and doesn't cause much of a problem. Boilers equipped with a feeder are also characterized by reliability and low failure rate.
Disadvantages of boilers with a feeder
Despite a number of advantages when deciding on a boiler with a feeder, you also need to keep in mind that it has several disadvantages.
The most noticeable one is certainly that the price of such a boiler is significantly higher than traditional models. So, when buying such a modern furnace, you need to keep in mind that it will involve a considerable expense. These boilers require electricity to operate the feeders. **This can therefore result in slightly higher electricity bills.
Sometimes it happens that due to a malfunction the feeder is blocked, so it can not function properly. Fortunately, this happens quite rarely, but the user must be aware of it.
Boilers with feeders require much more space than those with manual operation. Therefore, they will not work well in small boiler rooms, as they may not fit in them. This must be taken into account before buying a boiler equipped with a feeder. Despite the disadvantages, these types of stoves are convenient to use, so it is worth choosing them.