A solid fuel boiler is a heating device that runs on solid fuel: wood, coal, pellets or briquettes. These boilers are popular in private homes, especially in areas where there is no stable gas or electricity supply. Solid fuel boilers can both heat the room and heat water for domestic needs. This makes them a universal solution for those looking for an autonomous heating system.
The principle of operation of a solid fuel boiler
The operation of a solid fuel boiler is based on the process of burning fuel in a special combustion chamber. When fuel burns, heat is released, which is transferred to the coolant — usually water. Hot water circulates through the heating system, warming the radiators and providing a comfortable temperature in the house.
There are two main types of solid fuel boilers:
- Single-circuit boilers are intended only for heating premises.
- Double-circuit boilers — in addition to heating, they can heat water for domestic use (DHW).
How a solid fuel boiler heats water
To heat water, solid fuel boilers are equipped with an additional circuit — a heat exchanger. When water is heated in the main system, part of the heat is used to heat water that can be used in the bathroom, kitchen and other household needs. This allows you to abandon separate water heaters and save on energy resources.
Advantages of solid fuel boilers
- Economy : Use of cheap solid fuel, especially if it is available in large quantities.
- Autonomy : The boiler operates independently of electricity or gas supply, which is especially important in rural or remote areas.
- Long burning : Modern models of pellet boilers can operate for several hours or even days on one fuel load.
Flaws
- Need for regular maintenance : Solid fuel boilers require constant fuel loading and periodic ash cleaning.
- Manual control : Less automation compared to gas or electric boilers.
- Fuel quality requirements : Using wet firewood or low-quality pellets reduces the efficiency of the boiler.
How to choose a solid fuel boiler
When choosing a solid fuel boiler, it is important to consider the area of the room that needs to be heated, as well as the need for hot water supply. For houses with good thermal insulation, you can use boilers of lower power, and if you need heating and water heating, it is better to choose dual-circuit models with a power reserve.
Solid fuel boilers: calculation of a double-circuit boiler for heating and water heating