Outdoor Boiler

[ohsoloco]

Well, things are going great on the home purchase now that I lost the realtor  :D  So I'll be buying an outdoor boiler very soon.  The guy I'm buying my house from has a tree service (I met him by approaching him about getting his nice logs), and he will be buying a wood boiler as well when he moves out of the house.  He was saying something the other night while we were talking on the phone....he said he's not completely sold on the Central Boiler, but if the dealer would be willing to cut us a deal if we buy a couple of them then he would be interested.  From those of you that have bought them, have you had any dealers cut you any deals?  I told him if he talks to a dealer of a different brand that would cut us a deal, I would be open for that as well.

[chet]

When I purchased mine, the dealer was selling furnaces as fast as he could get them in. It's hard to deal in them conditions!
So far it has been a good unit. Have run it 24/7/365 for about 5 years now.

[OneWithWood]

My experience was the same as Chet's.  The company and the dealer have been very good to work with.  The newer models have some nice upgrades.  Be dure and ask about the durability of the doors.  I understand there have been some problems with cracking.

[ohsoloco]

I'm pretty well sold on the Central Boiler...the dealer has been very patient and friendly, although he sometimes returns my calls before I'm up in the morning  :D

After hearing others talk about door problems I asked him about this...Central Boilers have a lifetime warranty on the door  

[Minnesota_boy]

The door on my Central Boiler stove is in very nice condition, even thought the bottom of the unit has holes rusted through it.  I've had it for quite a few years though, so the rust holes don't worry me too much.  I just weld them shut before winter arrives and keep on using it.  This should be the last winter for it though.  I have an electric boiler with off-peak and a propane backup.  I like sawing lumber better than splitting and stacking wood.  :-/

[chet]

My brothers door cracked on his central boiler. A quick call and a new one was in the mail, no hassle.

[ohsoloco]

I still don't like the idea of a $1,300 backup system...I may just scrap that and stay home all winter  :-/

[ohsoloco]

How many of you use mixing valves on your system?  I will be running radiant floor heating off of my boiler.  The previous owner didn't use a mixing valve, but the house currently has 1" pine boards performing as both a sub and "finish" floor.  I would like to put down some hardwood in some of the floors...would this be a problem if I didn't put in a mixing valve  ???

[Bro. Noble]

I put in an order for a Taylor today.  From what you guys said, they have a good rep. and I like the dealer.  I can't believe how much everything costs

[OneWithWood]

We have a mixing valve wired to a thermostat in the greenhouse to regulate the amount of hot water diverted to the slab.

[Steve_M]

Been giving this lots of thought and think I have settled on the Empyre 450.  Went and looked at a couple of installed units and talked to the owners.  They had done there homework before purchasing and have not looked back at there decission.  One guy has his unit in town and got an unexpected visit from EPA guy (thanks to his neighbor), EPA guy was so impressed with the stove he was considering buying one.  

Sure is a lot of coin for  a metal box that burns wood

If it was just to heat the house I don't know if I would do it, but with all the exrta capacity I will have for shed, kiln, greenhouse it shoould pay for itself in no time. 8) 8)

Thanks to everyone for there input.


Steve