So what should you pay attention to when choosing a solid fuel boiler, so that you don't risk buying a boiler that doesn't meet current standards?
Key features of the boiler
Boilers advertised as meeting the standards can be bought virtually anywhere - at wholesalers, directly from manufacturers, and in many cases also online. Solid fuel boilers whose sellers declare compliance with current standards can also be bought at auctions on popular auction sites. Unfortunately, many of them, although the price is most often attractive, as inspections show do not meet the applicable standards. So what should you pay attention to when choosing a solid fuel boiler, so as not to expose yourself to the purchase of a boiler that does not meet current standards?
1. CE mark
It must be marked on any boiler for eco-pea, wood pellets or biomass marketed and approved for sale.
2. Boiler design
- e.g. quality of welds, tightness and fit of moving parts, sharp edges that can be injured, etc. We are doomed to evaluate "by eye", but, contrary to appearances, even such a cursory assessment can tell a lot about the quality of boiler workmanship.
3. Boiler equipment. Any boiler for eco-pea, wood pellets, or biomass must be equipped with safety valves, such as at the controller
A solid fuel boiler should also have an easily accessible safety temperature limiter, a system that prevents overheating. It should also be equipped with swirlers mounted in the boiler flue gas ducts. They disturb the movement of flue gases so that the heat exchange between the flue gases and the water circulating in the boiler exchanger is intensive, thus the high efficiency of the device. On the other hand, the boiler should not be equipped with an additional grate for burning a different type of fuel than the one dedicated to it.
4. The materials from which the boiler chamber is made
In the case of coal-fired boilers, for example, for eco-pea, check whether the furnace is equipped with ceramic elements that accumulate heat. This allows a high temperature at which there is a thorough combustion of volatile substances emitted from the fuel and means fewer harmful emissions into the atmosphere.
5. It is important to check the type of fuel, which, according to the manufacturer or seller, can be burned in the boiler CO
The more types of fuel that can be used in a given boiler, the more versatile and convenient it is, in theory, for the user. On the other hand, however, as a rule, the more types of fuel that can be used in a boiler, the lower the efficiency of the device may be. In addition, the use of non-dedicated fuel is usually associated with increased emissions of harmful compounds into the atmosphere, which may not comply with the applicable standard. It is also a good idea to pay attention to whether the area where the CO boiler is to be used has a ban on the use of a particular type of fuel, as many local governments have imposed such restrictions.
6. An extremely important parameter to pay attention to is the efficiency of the boiler declared by the manufacturer or seller.
The higher the efficiency of the boiler, the more heat can be obtained from a certain amount of fuel. This reduces the cost of operating a solid fuel boiler without reducing thermal comfort.
7. The method of feeding the fuel
A very important issue when choosing a solid fuel boiler is the method of fuel feeding, i.e. whether the fuel is fed manually or automatically - automatic feeding increases comfort, saves time. The absence of such a system in new solid fuel boilers can raise suspicions about the quality of the boiler and its compliance with current standards.
8. The way the fuel is burned
This is also worth paying attention to when choosing a solid fuel boiler to heat your home. Bottom-burning boilers use less fuel. In such boilers for eco-pea or wood pellets, only a small part of the loaded fuel burns in the lower part of the feeding chamber, so the fuel lasts longer.
9. When choosing a boiler for a domestic heating system, it is also worth checking the capacity of the feeding chamber with automatic feeding,
that is, determine how long the boiler will operate without refilling, which has a significant impact on the convenience of use.
10. The method of cleaning the boiler
This is also an important parameter of solid fuel boilers to consider. The products of combustion are deposited on the elements of the boiler and can lead to a reduction in its energy efficiency and, in extreme cases, even to self-ignition. Easy access to the furnace will allow the unit to be maintained at the appropriate level of efficiency. It is worth choosing a boiler equipped with a semi-automatic cleaning system, which will make it easier to take care of its efficiency. If tools are required for cleaning and maintenance, such as brushes or cutters, it is worth asking the seller if they will be supplied with the boiler.
11. It is worth checking the warning pictograms posted by the manufacturer
such as marking surfaces that can get hot during operation or indicating the presence of electrical hazards - the manufacturer should minimize the risks to the user when operating the boiler.
12. Every solid fuel boiler should have an instruction manual, which must be understandable
It should contain information on the installation of the boiler, how to burn, how to operate, how to use it, etc. The absence of instructions should be a warning signal. Unless you want to buy, for example, a second-hand boiler, and the instructions are available, for example, on the manufacturer's website.
13. Any boiler for solid fuels - eco-pea or wood pellets should have a visible energy label
It will help to compare offers and make it easier to choose a device that is both economical and efficient. The most important parameter shown on the label is the energy efficiency class. Currently, the scale is from A+++ (best) to D (worst, below standard). The higher the class, the more efficient the boiler and the less energy it uses to heat the space.
14. Every central heating boiler should also have an information sheet,
which will contain such data as the name of the supplier, model identifier, energy efficiency class, rated thermal output in kW, energy efficiency factor or seasonal energy efficiency. The CO boiler card should also contain information on the efficiency of the boiler and the level of emissions of dust, carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxides, i.e. the boiler's impact on air quality. This will allow you to check whether a particular eco-pea or wood pellet boiler actually meets current standards.
It should be borne in mind that the purchase of a boiler that does not meet the statutory requirements may, in the coming years, entail high costs for the removal of the unauthorized device and the need to purchase a new one. Therefore, it is worth choosing carefully, and if in doubt, turn to a specialist. And it is best to buy a boiler with a warranty provided by a recognized manufacturer. When you buy a new boiler from Stalmark, you are guaranteed quality and compliance of the device with current standards, as well as the opportunity to apply for funding from any government and local government programs. It is worth using proven and reliable sources!