Considering OWB

[swking]

First off thanks for allowing me to join such a great group.

I am planning on buying a boiler to heat my water and house with within the next 6 months or so. I am considering a Hardy OWB and or Central Boiler Classic Edge. Was wondering any pros or cons of either unit?
Thanks alot.

[armechanic]

I have a Hardy installed in 2005, I have replaced the draft blower and this year I replaced the circulator pump.  Both rather cheap fixes.  The Hardy pumps are high, I got one from a local Hardware store about 1/3 the price. So yeah I would recommend Hardy.  One other bit of advice, get one size bigger than you think you need.

[armechanic]

Almost forgot,  WELCOME to the board, lots of good advice.

[DDW_OR]

here is a link to my Edge 750. so far i am very happy with it

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,92218.0/all.html#top

...........One other bit of advice, get one size bigger than you think you need.

I agree, bigger is better.

the 750 will be used to heat the house, greenhouse and Hot tub. maybe a kiln?
it has connections for 3 loops

Harbor Freight Greenhouse build
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=97497.msg1504967;topicseen#top

[E Yoder]

Is the Hardy a KB downdraft unit or the updraft grated unit? The Edge unit and the KB Hardy are comparable units.

Downdrafters are considerably more efficient. I love my G100s and would have a hard time going updraft again after seeing the difference.

[mf40diesel]

I'll second the downdraft comment. We have a Heatmaster g200. We heat more area by quite a bit than all my buddies and use a little less wood plus it's clean as a whistle.

The emissions, even if you don't care (not assuming you don't) in the coming years could surely become an issue. Might be worth getting a compliant boiler now even if it's not yet required where you live.