Hello everyone,
A friend has inherited a semi-detached house from the 1950s. The energy consumption per square meter is about 280 kWh (I assume this is actual consumption and not demand – depending on previous usage patterns, it might even be a bit higher). She is now considering which heating technology to use going forward. Currently, there is a 30-year-old gas heating system installed. A builder has recommended a wood stove with a water jacket. At first, I was skeptical, but I have to admit I don’t exactly understand how it works. What heats the water jacket? Is it connected to the existing heating system and feeds into the heating buffer tank, or is it a separate system?
There is wood available (inherited along with the house), but I’m not sure about the time or willingness to keep loading wood regularly. I’m also concerned that, due to the poor building envelope, the water jacket would have to be quite large to effectively support heating overnight, for example.
My gut feeling is that she should simply install a new gas condensing boiler.
Thanks for your opinions.
A friend has inherited a semi-detached house from the 1950s. The energy consumption per square meter is about 280 kWh (I assume this is actual consumption and not demand – depending on previous usage patterns, it might even be a bit higher). She is now considering which heating technology to use going forward. Currently, there is a 30-year-old gas heating system installed. A builder has recommended a wood stove with a water jacket. At first, I was skeptical, but I have to admit I don’t exactly understand how it works. What heats the water jacket? Is it connected to the existing heating system and feeds into the heating buffer tank, or is it a separate system?
There is wood available (inherited along with the house), but I’m not sure about the time or willingness to keep loading wood regularly. I’m also concerned that, due to the poor building envelope, the water jacket would have to be quite large to effectively support heating overnight, for example.
My gut feeling is that she should simply install a new gas condensing boiler.
Thanks for your opinions.
Feueronkel11 May 2016 11:02No, Olli, a pellet stove needs to be cleaned much more frequently than, for example, a wood-burning fireplace, (…if you have ever read the warranty terms for a pellet stove…) and more thoroughly… cleaning all the fans, etc. is required, meaning a lot of fiddly work! For professionals, that’s fine, but for the average desk worker, it’s quite a hassle. Of course, good units have integrated brushes or “shaker rods” in the heat exchanger that you can sometimes activate with a simple hand motion (usually after opening the casing first…), but that’s not all there is to it…
Since the house already has a gas installation, I would recommend a combination of a gas heating system and a conventional fireplace, possibly as a storage fireplace or stove… (the question of pellets doesn’t really come up for people who have plenty of firewood on hand).
Since the house already has a gas installation, I would recommend a combination of a gas heating system and a conventional fireplace, possibly as a storage fireplace or stove… (the question of pellets doesn’t really come up for people who have plenty of firewood on hand).
Feueronkel11 May 2016 11:57PS: For those focused on efficiency ratings (90%), try searching for "Dual Fire Technology," a combination of a conventional stove and a wood gasifier. Available with or without water jackets... can be loaded with up to 18 kg (40 lbs) of wood and burns for about 4 hours or more.
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Alpandian8911 May 2016 21:55@Feueronkel Is it possible to receive a subsidy from BAFA for this stove?
Feueronkel12 May 2016 10:53@Alpandian89 Unfortunately not, even with similar devices from other manufacturers... I spoke with two suppliers, and both said no. I personally find this completely incomprehensible (very clean & efficient, exactly what should be eligible for subsidies).
Feueronkel12 May 2016 11:09Quote from a manufacturer (the third one so far): "We even went all the way to Berlin and spoke with the officials responsible for the Federal Immission Control Ordinance (BImSchV)... unfortunately without any results... clearly lacking lobbying power..."
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Alpandian8912 May 2016 20:16So, can it be said that the additional costs for a stove with a water jacket are not worthwhile compared to a conventional stove?
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