Stoker Boiler Recs for Large House

kokerdude · Post by **kokerdude** » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 12:51 pm

Hello, I am asking this question for a friend. She put in a 150,000 BTU hand fired coal/wood boiler and is unhappy with it. She believes it might be too small for her house and she has trouble feeding and shaking it three times daily. She would like a stoker unit (she is slightly jealous of my Keystoker Koker's hopper) with a fairly large hopper. She's interested in selling her current boiler (American Royal). Any ideas or recommendations?

Thanks,

Kokerdude
Western New York

billw · Post by **billw** » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 1:58 pm

I'm partial to the EFM520. It will run up to 214,000 BTU according to the manual. If she buys a DF she'll have the added advantage of being able to burn oil if she wants to go away during the heating season. I bought used/refurbished. It's probably the smartest thing I've done in a very long time.

U235a4 · Post by **U235a4** » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 3:16 pm

Here are two similar units from different manufactures with some differences.

AHS S260 (http://www.alternateheatingsystems.com)

AA 260m (http://www.axeman-anderson.com)

Complete Heat · Post by **Complete Heat** » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 10:11 pm

EFM and Axeman-Anderson make the best boilers, Keystokers are nice too, but no where near as nice as the first two. The EFM is a nicer looking unit and quieter than the A-A (I call my AA the "Wonkinator"). Like everything else in life there advantages and disadvantages to each unit, and there is a large difference in cost between a EFM/A-A vs. a Keystoker. One other thing to consider too is if the state where it is going requires the unit to be ASME coded. Keystokers are not coded, and cannot be installed in states requiring that certification. I am doing 3200 sq. ft. on a AA130 with no problems at all, and I get unlimited hot water all year long.

Mike

Sting · Post by **Sting** » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 10:21 pm

If you want to be sure the appliance you buy can do the job - do a heat loss calculation on the load you want to carry BEFORE you buy a boiler or furnace. Stoves heat rooms so its hard to go wrong - You tend to huddle around them vs enjoying the comfort and economy of modern central heating.

here is a simple one

http://www.builditsolar.com/References/Calculator ... atLoss.htm

here is a better one

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