Solid fuel boilers combined wood electricity. Universal heating: boiler for wood, gas and electricity. Pros and cons of universal heat generators

When choosing a method of autonomous heating, owners of a private home often face a difficult choice. On the one hand, you should choose a model for the cheapest fuel so that heating costs are minimal. On the other hand, it’s difficult to get full confidence in the possibility of continuous supply of energy, which especially applies to centralized highways (gas, electricity).

Therefore, combined options, for example, a wood and gas boiler, are becoming increasingly popular. This is the only way to guarantee that the heating season will pass with a stable heat supply. Moreover, the choice is not limited to such modifications. Pellets are combined with electricity, coal with wood-burning models, for example, as in combi boilers. Universal heaters easily allow you to bypass seasonal tariff increases, and also, for example, use nightly price reductions, etc.

Combined modifications, for example, a wood-gas-electricity heating device, are often installed to replace old wood-burning stoves or their coal analogues, because firewood and coal are most accessible in all regions of our country, and at the same time have a relatively low price. The heating system itself is often not remodeled; they are limited to replacing the wood-burning boiler with a combined model.

Types of combination boilers

Universal heating equipment is divided depending on the type of fuel used.

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combined boilers

Thus, the following combined options are distinguished:

Gas + Solid fuel. Allows you to quickly replace the main gas when it is turned off as a result, for example, of an accident on the line. A wood and gas boiler is one of the most popular solutions due to the good availability of wood.
Gas + Liquid fuel. Such options are convenient in case of periodic interruptions in gas supply, but require the organization of storage of diesel fuel reserves.
Gas + Electricity + Liquid fuel. A combined option for saving in the absence of a guarantee of timely supplies of gas and diesel fuel.
Gas + Solid and liquid fuel. One of the most multifunctional models for heating cottages. An excellent replacement for wood stoves.
Gas + Solid and liquid fuels + Electricity. This model makes the owner of a private home completely independent of tariffs and other factors that influence the change in energy source. For example, a wood-gas-electricity device.

Exist universal boilers without connection to the gas main, for example, for coal and firewood with the ability to connect heating elements for power from electricity. Heating boilers combined with gas and wood are often installed in conditions of interruptions in gas supply. Firewood for heating, including special pellets, causes less inconvenience during storage than other types of fuel. And there is no smell, like, for example, from diesel fuel (and a gas boiler sometimes gives off a slight smell).

Another option - a combined gas-wood-electricity boiler - allows you to become completely autonomous with any changes in tariffs and in other situations. For a wood-gas-electricity device, you don’t have to worry about stocks of the same firewood, power outages, etc.

Features of gas-fired boilers for home

First of all, it is worth noting that in most cases they take the gas main as the main fuel, and switch to wood heating in case of shutdown for periods of maintenance or accidents. Of course, for a completely universal approach it is worth installing combined instrument wood-gas-electricity, but not everyone can be satisfied with the cost of electricity.

In general, combination boilers can be fired with different solid fuels, with almost no changes in its design. So, firewood, coal, briquettes, pellets - everything is at the same level in terms of prevalence, the choice depends on the price of different kinds in one region or another. This is why gas-wood boilers are popular; solid fuel is easy to replace with an analogue.

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Secondly, it is important to consider what is being made heating boilers on solid fuel made of steel and cast iron, which makes them resistant to constant high temperatures during heating season. This is especially important if coal is used as fuel, which produces noticeably more high temperature in the firebox.

But this also adds hassle. The heavy weight of the equipment in some cases requires reinforcement of the flooring in the room in the house allocated for its installation. Cast iron gas-wood heating boilers require this without fail. Gas-fired modifications made of light metals can be mounted on a regular floor, in the place previously occupied by a wood-burning or coal-fired stove. Wood-gas-electricity appliances usually have no heavy weight.

There are two more types of combined models: single-circuit (they only work to heat the heating system) and double-circuit (the second circuit heats water for the water supply system in the house). Thus, the gas-wood device can be used as a boiler even in the warm season. The same applies to the wood-gas-electricity device.

It is also worth noting this feature. In addition to the removal of smoke through a chimney, when burning solid fuels, there are also solid combustion products that settle in the pan and require periodic disposal.

The most interesting boilers for heating are universal gas-wood-pellet boilers, which have the ability to operate autonomously without human intervention for a long time. Such a heater, instead of firewood or gas, can work with special granules. This combined option eliminates the need to stock up on firewood, because pellets are usually always available for sale. Alternatively, a combi boiler is also convenient.

The most advantageous aspects of gas-wood heating boilers

If we put aside the requirements for arranging a separate room in the house, combined wood-gas heating boilers will have a whole range of excellent qualities.

The operation of such a universal heating device does not require special skills. Even options such as combined boilers.
The cost of combined models is not much higher than analogs that can only work, for example, with coal, pellets and gas version. You can install it instead wood stove, they take up even less space than usual.
The dimensions of the gas-wood heating model are, of course, larger gas models, but do not exceed analogues with a wood firebox. The wood-gas-electricity device has the same dimensions.
High efficiency– up to 90%. The wood-burning method of heating a room is one of the most effective; the main thing is to use dry wood, with no more than 20% humidity.
Small release harmful substances in atmosphere.

Compared to heating with electricity or gas boilers Heating boilers combined with gas and wood can provide complete independence from utilities. Wood stoves have always been used as the basis for warm home comfort, because This type of fuel is the easiest to obtain anywhere.

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What should you pay attention to?

When selecting a model, you need to take into account several rules, failure to comply with which will lead to an error. As a result, the boiler may not be suitable for specific house, so, it may not be powerful enough and the room will be cold. For example, a device using wood or gas is dependent on the pressure in the main line, and when it decreases, it can give off noticeably less heat.

In addition to power, the technical specifications usually indicate the area of the house for which it is designed. The calculations are made by professionals and are quite accurate. You can use various tables found on the Internet. Special attention You need to pay attention to power when choosing the most universal options, such as a wood-gas-electricity device.

It is worth considering a possible decrease in gas pressure in the line. This can significantly reduce the heating output. If there is no “reserve”, you will also have to use additional heaters powered by electricity. There is no point in heating with such characteristics, you will have to modernize it and carry it additional expenses.

Next stage– determination of the purpose of the combined boiler for heating. It can be purchased both as the main heat source and for additional heating running water, i.e. immediately choose the combined option.

Such a boiler is more profitable than a separate boiler, because wood or gas is already consumed for heating, and a separate water heater is usually powered by electricity. Wood heating often allows you to improve the speed of achieving desired temperature.

Are there any special features in operation?

When purchasing a combi boiler with wood and gas heating It is necessary to take into account several operational points, without which the use of firewood as the main source of heat can lead to the fact that the universal method will cause considerable problems.

So, during its operation, a wood-burning boiler gradually clogs the chimney with soot, which must be periodically cleaned. Without this, the efficiency of smoke removal will gradually decrease, until problems with ignition, smoke in the room, etc. appear.

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If gas or electric heating can operate continuously, then a wood-burning boiler burns out completely after a maximum of 3-4 hours, after which the heating system inevitably begins to cool down. Loading a new portion is done manually, which requires the owner's home. Therefore, combined modifications with wood or pellet fuel are often used, if possible, in gas heating mode.

Pellets partially allow you to automate the heating procedure with wood fuel, but you still have to monitor the process. Yes, and the reserve must be created in advance, otherwise you may be left without heating at the most cold period of the year.

Autonomous heating is becoming increasingly popular among private property owners. The ability to heat a house and even an apartment at any convenient time, and not at the beginning of the heating season, gives huge benefits. And if in apartments the choice of energy is limited (electricity or gas), then in a private house you can install both a solid fuel and a combination boiler (wood-electricity).

The combination boiler most successfully combines the uninterrupted operation of the equipment and its versatility. Depending on the availability of a particular type of fuel, you can select the appropriate mode, each of which will be equally effective.

The design of the unit is quite practical, which leads to reduced heat loss and economical fuel consumption. IN daytime It is advisable to heat the house with coal and/or wood, and at night maintain the temperature with electricity. At the same time, there is no need to monitor the presence of firewood in the firebox, and the nightly electricity tariff is 15-35% lower than the daytime one.

Video 1 Installation of a combination boiler in a private house

Design features

The main difference between combined equipment and solid fuel equipment is the presence of a thermoelectric heater in the heat exchanger tank. The heating element turns on automatically at the moment when the power of the burned fuel is not enough to provide optimal temperature coolant. In other words, the heating element comes into operation when wood or coal burns, the heat subsides and there is a need to heat the coolant. All processes are fully automated and do not require human intervention, with the possible exception of putting firewood into the firebox.

In order to quickly and effectively warm up rooms, different boilers There are from 1 to 4 combustion chambers, each of which is connected to a separate thermoelectric heater.

A boiler for heating a private house, combined wood/electricity, has only 1 combustion chamber and 1 thermoelectric heater, and the water is heated in the same way as storage water heater(boiler).

Video 2 Single-circuit boiler using wood and electricity

Why it's worth buying

A wide range of fuel used - it can be not only coal or firewood, but also briquettes, pellets, wood waste, etc.;
Autonomous operation- the combination boiler operates in “electricity” mode for an unlimited amount of time without human intervention. Heating restrictions can only be due to a lack of electricity. The operation of the equipment is absolutely safe;
Convenient maintenance - if necessary, the boiler can be converted into a monofuel one. When using predominantly electric mode, cleaning of the boiler and chimney is not required, with regular use solid fuel The boiler must be cleaned as often as a standard solid fuel boiler - once a week for the firebox and once every 3-5 months for the chimney.

It's hard to include price among the benefits. Compared to monofuel boilers, combination boilers are much more expensive, which depends on the brand and the number of combustion chambers.

How to choose correctly

Heating equipment can be used for heating residential, industrial and production premises. To select the appropriate model that will be suitable in terms of power and efficiency, you should focus on the number of circuits, performance characteristics and productivity.

When purchasing a combination boiler for heating a private house with electricity/wood, consider the following indicators:

equipment - as a cheaper alternative, some manufacturers offer a boiler where the coolant heats only the heating element. This design is irrational, since the voltage in the network is not always stable, and the electricity is sometimes cut off;
dimensions of the equipment - if there are several combustion chambers, which, as a rule, are made of cast iron alloy, the weight of the equipment can reach 500 kilograms or more, which will require special basis and a separate room. Also pay attention to the size of the firebox, since the frequency of adding firewood depends on this parameter.

Cast iron retains heat much longer than ceramics and is suitable for all types of solid fuel.

power is a parameter that directly depends on the type of fuel - electricity or wood. Taking into account what type of fuel will be a priority, you should focus on the power of the boiler.

In order for heating to be effective, the boiler power must always exceed the actual need for it.

the presence of a water heating circuit, which ensures the availability hot water at water points.

Installation Features

For combined equipment you will need a separate room. Here it is necessary to provide the following required elements installation:

the foundation is a low reinforced concrete layer that compensates for the dimensions of the boiler;
arrangement of the chimney - the principle is in many ways similar to the chimney pipe on solid fuel boiler, where high-quality traction is ensured

Photo 4 Layout of the heating system for a combination boiler

The traction power depends on the height of the pipe head. Its optimal height above the ridge is from 50 cm.

As soon as the boiler is installed, the chimney pipe must be carefully insulated. This will avoid the appearance of condensation and ice in the pipe, which prevents smoke from escaping.

a ventilation system that will allow combustion products and carbon monoxide to be promptly removed when it appears.
connection to the electrical network - a heating element that maintains and heats the coolant to a certain temperature, operates exclusively from a 220-volt power supply.

To connect the equipment, a 380 volt line and 3 phases is required. At the same time, it should be ensured correct connection input and grounding to the circuit. You shouldn’t risk grounding to zero with a simple break in the circuit; the automation simply won’t have time to do the dephasing.

The popularity of wood/electricity combo boilers is due to the fact that both types of energy are the most accessible to the population. At the same time, all processes in heating equipment are fully automated, and heat losses are minimized. The overpayment in price is compensated during the first 2-3 years of operation.

Among multi-fuel equipment, boilers for heating a private house using wood and electricity are especially popular due to their simple and reliable design. The transition between wood and electricity is carried out automatically.

How does a wood-burning boiler with a heating element work?

Wood-electric heating combination boilers use the possibility of using a backup heat source in their operation. This happens as follows:

Almost all heating boilers for private homes using wood and electricity operate in the manner described above. There are differences related to the design and the combustion principle used.

Boilers with built-in heating element

Combined wood-electric heating boilers, with built-in heating elements, are offered in various modifications. Manufacturers offer models that differ in the performance of both the units themselves and the electric heating element. The heating element is necessary to maintain the coolant temperature sufficient to prevent the building from cooling down.

It is impossible to use the heater as a full-fledged electric boiler due to its insufficient power. Most boilers have a heating element with a capacity of up to 6 kW.

The consumer is offered models with cast iron and steel heat exchanger. Holes for heating elements are cut out using laser welding or, in the case of cast iron analogs, are provided during casting of the heat exchanger.

Floor-mounted wood-electricity combined heating boilers, factory assembled, have the following advantages:

Possibility of choosing any type of heat exchanger.
Full automation of the combustion process, turning on / off the heating element.
Compliance with safety requirements.
Convenient adjustment of the heating element’s operation and selection of the appropriate mode.
An anti-freeze mode is provided.

A factory-assembled hybrid electric-wood boiler is optimally suited for heating a private home. The consumer is offered a wide range of products of all standard sizes in terms of power, allowing you to choose heating unit taking into account the individual characteristics of the living space.

Modifiable boilers

Almost any solid fuel boiler can be converted to install an electric heating element. The work is performed as follows:

A steel boiler - heating element and thermostat, are inserted directly into the heat exchanger. Installation requires welding work. After installation, the holes are hermetically sealed.
Cast iron boiler - the design of the heat exchanger is slightly different. The body has a water jacket surrounding the combustion chamber. Self-production holes for installing a thermostat and heating element will lead to an increase in the load on cast iron heat exchanger. During work, microcracks appear, which eventually leads to failure of the boiler. For this reason, it is not recommended to convert a cast-iron boiler to install an electric heating element.

Some manufacturers, even at the stage of manufacturing the heat exchanger, provide space for installing an electric heating element in a wood-burning boiler. In the future, you can select the heating element of the required power. The modification is carried out quickly and does not require large material costs.

How to choose a heating boiler for electricity and wood

There are several types of wood and electric boilers, differing in operating principle and design. When choosing, pay attention to the following characteristics:

Operating principle – the most profitable and economical are pyrolysis boilers, working 6-12 hours from one bookmark. During operation, heat is extracted in two ways: during the combustion of wood and afterburning of gases.
A gas generator boiler costs more than classic model, but the costs are recouped by reducing firewood consumption, better efficiency and heating performance.
Number of circuits - single-circuit units are highly efficient and can heat rooms large area. The design provides for connection only to the heating system. Heating of water becomes possible only after modification (indirect heating).
Double-circuit combination boilers simultaneously work to heat the heating medium and hot water supply.
Heat exchanger – there are two types of electric wood boilers. Cast iron units are heavy and inconvenient during installation, but at the same time, they have a long service life and high heat transfer.
Steel boilers are cheaper, sensitive to excessive overheating of the coolant, and cool down quickly after the wood has burned. Most manufacturers focus on the production of steel boilers, since production is cheaper and they are in constant demand among consumers.

Choosing a boiler mixed type, from electricity and firewood, it is important to calculate the required power, select equipment by manufacturer and cost.

How to calculate the power of an electric wood-burning boiler

Household bi-fuel mixed heating boilers, wood-electricity, are offered to the consumer in different power sizes. Performance varies from 8 to 40 kW. (in industrial analogues up to 400 kW).

Accurate calculations, taking into account the characteristics of a residential building, are carried out only after an audit of heat losses. The approximate power of a combined boiler using wood and electricity is calculated using an online calculator or a special formula.

Calculations are performed as follows:

The total heated area of the building is calculated.
The amount of heat required for heating is calculated. Use the formula 1 kW = 10 m².
In calculations, for universal double-circuit boiler, taking into account the heat demand for hot water supply, 15-20% is added to the result obtained.

Heating systems with electric wood boilers are equipped with an electric heating element with a power of up to 6 kW. The heater's performance is sufficient to prevent freezing of the coolant or to fully heat 60 m² of the building.

Manufacturers of combined electric-wood boilers

On the domestic market heating equipment, the consumer is offered boilers from European, Asian and Russian companies. The following brands are in constant demand:

– German boilers, different high quality assembly, long service life and high cost, 3-5 times higher than that Russian manufacturer asks for his products. In the case of Buderus, the price is completely justified. The boiler consumes fuel economically and has sensitive automation that controls the combustion process. A storage boiler is available as an additional option. Productivity up to 350-400 kW.
– the consumer is offered steel boilers with a capacity of up to 18 kW and a built-in electric heating element of 6 kW. Suitable for full heating of rooms with a total area of up to 200 m². As an additional package for the Mister Hit AOTVK boiler, a remote control unit is offered that allows you to control the combustion process using a remote control.
- one of the biggest domestic producers, offering products that meet European standards of quality and reliability. Products are offered in the Master series. Zota boilers have space and a hole for installing a thermostat and an electric heating element. A heating element and sensors are purchased separately and are not included in the basic package. One of the main advantages of the model is the ability to install a heating element at 9 kW, instead of the traditional 6 kW.
– the company offers heating equipment with a power from 8 to 30 kW. The boilers are distinguished by their low cost, minimal equipment, small dimensions and “omnivorousness”. You can choose a Karakan boiler with hob, which is especially convenient when heating a country house.
Cooper OVK - boilers offered by the Teplodar company are presented in two standard sizes with a power of 10 and 18 kW. The models are equipped with a cast iron hob and can operate on any type of solid fuel. If necessary, they are equipped with a pellet and gas burner. Cooper HVAC, this is optimal solution the issue of heating a house with a maximum area of up to 200 m².
Stoker Aqua is a brand promoted in the domestic market by Ermak. There are four standard sizes available, with capacities of 12, 14, 16, 18 kW. Built-in electric heating element with a power of 1.5 - 3 kW. The automatic traction control is installed separately as an additional option. The model has a spacious combustion chamber. The Stoker Aqua series offers boilers exclusively with a steel heat exchanger.

The main advantage of Russian heating boilers running on wood and electricity is their unpretentiousness to fuel quality. In Western analogues, thermal efficiency decreases sharply if the moisture content of the firewood is more than 20%.

Cost of wood-electricity boilers

Prices for combination double boilers vary depending on the country of manufacture, brand recognition and technical parameters equipment. Moreover, even in Russian models, the difference in cost can be 10-15 thousand rubles.

Buderus offer luxury class boilers; purchasing a universal boiler, even of low power, will cost about 150-250 thousand rubles. Domestic boilers are cheaper. Models similar in their characteristics are offered at Russian market for 15-45 thousand rubles, depending on the manufacturer and configuration.

Where and how to install electric-wood boilers

Wood-fired hot water boilers with the transition to electricity are installed in accordance with general rules SNiP and PPB relating to the installation of solid fuel heating equipment. In particular, it states:

Models with built-in heating elements do not require permission to install, provided that the maximum rate of electricity consumption does not exceed 3 kW. The heating element is 6-9 kW, creating an additional load on the electrical network. A separate voltage line is allocated for connection.
Boilers with a capacity of up to 40 kW can be installed anywhere in the house. It is better to place a boiler over 40 kW in a separate room used exclusively for the needs of the boiler room.
The electric wood-burning boiler is connected through separate automatic devices located on the control panel. The electric heating element is not afraid of power surges in the network, but if a remote control controller is used, the voltage is set.
As a boiler room for heating a house using wood and electricity, choose a dry heated room with a total area of at least 8 m². Availability required natural light and supply and exhaust ventilation.
Universal combined boilers powered by wood and electricity are located in such a way that the walls lined with flammable material are at least 50 cm away. Installation is carried out on a fire-resistant base. The chimney, when passing through the floor and roof slabs, is placed in a special box filled with thermal insulation material.

Dual fuel combined solid fuel boilers heating wood-electricity, connected to the water circuit. To replenish the coolant, it is recommended to connect a water treatment and filtration system. Additionally, a safety group is connected that automatically relieves pressure in the system.

Electricity parameters for electric heating elements, with a maximum power of 9 kW, do not require the use of three-phase power. The connection is made to a regular household network of 220 V.

Heating stove for a summer residence

Today, many are trying to escape from civilization, settle somewhere outside the city and enjoy nature. Fresh air, clear skies are good, but modern man he is accustomed to conveniences and wants them to surround him everywhere. When purchasing a country house, many try to immediately find out whether communications have been made to it. It’s good when there is a gas main nearby, then the heating problem solves itself. But what to do if it doesn’t exist at all, how to live in the cold season? Help solve such a problem alternative sources heat. You can take advantage of the benefits that heating with wood and electricity brings to your country house.

In order not to make a mistake and not go broke, you need to know which method is more effective and affordable. To do this, it is enough to simply compare them.

Wood stove heating

If there is no gas, and numerous attempts to bring it to the house have not been successful, you can use wood-burning stove equipment to heat a country house.

The principle of its operation is well known. Since ancient times, people in villages built a central stove, which became an object of attraction for all family members in winter. The stove not only heated, but also helped to prepare delicious and satisfying dishes. Their aroma cannot be confused with anything else. And all because wood ash and blue smoke slightly smoked the products and helped them retain useful components.

Firewood for the stove

The operating principle of the furnace design is simple. Firewood placed inside is ignited and releases heat when burned. It heats the equipment, and this, in turn, warms the air in the room.

Despite its seeming primitiveness, this option has whole line undeniable advantages:

Any wood stove heats up quickly.
With such equipment there is no need to install your own heating system, spend money on purchasing pipes, expensive radiators and circulation pumps.
As a rule, a stove structure is built to last - it is very durable and designed for long service life.
Firewood is a relatively inexpensive source of fuel that is easy to obtain.
There is a large assortment of ready-made stove equipment for sale for every taste and color. Manufacturers are constantly improving the designs of wood stoves. Today they are giving back maximum amount heat and work for a very long time with one load. And this helps to save a lot of money.
IN similar system you can build in a boiler that will function even without electricity.

Cooking and heating furnace

Wood heating of a dacha, of course, has many advantages, but it is also not without its disadvantages:

Any stove installation takes up a lot of space, so you need to think carefully in advance where to put it.
Finished equipment weighs a lot, often it is necessary to build a foundation for it, and this is an additional expense.
When choosing this heating method, you will need to constantly worry about purchasing firewood, making sure that the amount purchased is enough for the entire cold season. The firewood must be dry, so an additional firewood shed will have to be built on the site.
Furnace equipment should be operated strictly according to the instructions; combustion products are toxic, so they are always dangerous to human health.
When installing a wood-burning stove, it is necessary to properly construct the chimney. It is almost impossible to do this on your own, so you will need to involve professional craftsmen, and these are additional expenses.
Any wood-burning stove heats the room unevenly; it cools down quickly if the fire is not maintained.

Heating with electricity

A double-circuit boiler has two spirals in one body

Is it possible to create comfortable conditions for accommodation and organize heating without gas and firewood? Of course - if there is electricity. You don't need to buy special fireplaces for this. They are ineffective, so it would be much more useful to mount central heating, organize the supply of hot water, which will be heated by electricity.

Setting up such a heating system is not difficult. It is enough to invest once and purchase a double-circuit boiler that will immediately heat water for both heating and domestic needs.

Sometimes two boilers are installed in parallel. In the summer, one turns off, the other works and supplies hot water to the bath and kitchen. This is very convenient where people live in country house all year round.

There are many advantages of an electric heating system:

High efficiency and high efficiency. Only such systems are capable of providing 100% results - that is, all the energy expended will turn into heat.
Highly environmentally friendly. When the systems operate, no harmful exhausts, gases, or combustion products are released that could harm human health or the environment.
High efficiency. The installation and installation of the system will not require much money. There is no need to buy and arrange fuel delivery or spend money on Maintenance equipment. You can find it on sale unique systems, equipped with sensors that help monitor and save energy consumption.
Reliable handling. It is easy to program the system and put it into autonomous mode. This can be done not only in general scheme, but also in relation to individual elements. As a result, more comfortable living conditions are created.
Process integrability. Any electrical systems can be installed into existing communication and engineering units. They are often combined with other heating systems, heating, for example, additionally wood burning fireplace. This solution helps to overcome the most main problem suburban housing - frequent power outages.

IN last years Autonomous heating is becoming more and more popular, and not only in private properties, but even in apartment buildings.

This is explained by significant cost savings and ease of use of such a system, as well as the ability to independently make decisions about the beginning and end of the “local heating season”, depending on specific weather conditions. In apartments, certain types of boilers are installed, operating primarily on gas, and sometimes on electricity.

But in the private sector, especially those located outside the city, combined heating boilers that can run on both wood and electricity are well suited, since it is easy to find solid wood fuel and there is almost always plenty of electricity, unlike gas. Moreover, if for some reason the electricity is turned off or the supply is unstable, you can always switch to heating with wood or coal, which is extremely convenient. Procurement of solid fuel must be carried out in advance in order to always be prepared for any prevailing circumstances.

The design of this heating device is thoroughly thought out and works equally efficiently both with electricity and with wood.

In their structure, combination boilers differ from those that operate only on solid fuel. Their main feature is the presence of a heating element installed directly in the coolant tank.

Electric heater - heating element

At the bottom of the apparatus there is a firebox in which wood is burned. Allocable thermal energy heats the coolant, which is then sent to the heating circuit.

The boilers are equipped with devices that automatically turn on the heating element to achieve the set coolant temperature if Notgets enough power during solid fuel combustion. That there is, when the wood burns out, the heat subsides, the temperature drops, at this time the heater turns on and the boiler starts working on electricity. The entire process occurs independently, is regulated automatically, and human participation is not required.

When burning solid fuel, a power equal to 26-33 kW is released, which should be enough to heat a house with an area of 100 — 110 square meters, and then the electric heating element maintains the even required temperature.

Boiler structure

A boiler operating on solid fuel and electricity consists of the following main components and elements:

Body-box of the device
Firebox.
Gas outlet.
Pipe for chimney.
Damper.
Grate.
Ash pit.
Fire door.
Blower door.
Air door.
Lever arm.
Gate lock.
Reflector.
Pressure gauge.
Casing - body.
Front cover.
Screw door.
Traction regulator.
Chain.
Supply pipe.
Return pipe.
Stub.
Regulator.
Grounding bolt.
Sleeve for heat limiter.
Sleeve for temperature sensor.
Sleeve for control sensor.
Drain pipe.
Nameplate with name and serial number of the boiler.
heating element.

The design of combined boilers also provides for maintaining a minimum temperature in the circuit in cases where firewood is loaded into the firebox irregularly. This makes it possible to protect the heating system from freezing. Therefore, you can leave home for a long time without worrying about the pipes freezing.

It is important that the device can operate at low power only to maintain a minimum temperature in the system.

Boiler characteristics

To choose the option that is most suitable for the house in which it will be installed, you should consider all its parameters. They are indicated in the instructions, and you should definitely look at them before purchasing the device. These include the following points:

Boiler power during operation electric, wood-burning or other solid fuel.
Availability of the function of providing water points with heated water (water heating circuit).
Heat exchanger material. A heat exchanger made of cast iron is resistant to corrosion damage, but its main disadvantage is that it does not tolerate temperature changes well. Such frequent exposure can lead to cracking of the part.
If the heat exchanger is made of steel, then corrosion can easily damage it, but it can more easily withstand changes in temperature conditions.
It is imperative to check the presence of a valve, which makes the operation of the boiler safe from the possibility of overheating.
It is important to consider the size of the fuel chamber - this will determine how often you will have to put firewood into it.

The grate installed in the firebox can be made of steel or cast iron, as well as ceramics.

Cast iron grates can withstand high temperatures and are suitable for any type of solid fuel. Another advantage of cast iron is that it retains the heat obtained from coals for a long time.

The boiler can operate on bulk types of solid fuel

Today, steel and ceramic grates are more used. Due to the shape of the holes in ceramic grates, they are well suited for using fuel in the form of granules, chips, sawdust and other combustible materials with a fine fraction. But the disadvantage of honeycomb-shaped holes is the need for more air to enter, i.e. you need to make sure that the vent is open in the right way, otherwise the fire may simply go out.

Important parameters are the dimensions of the boiler and its weight. The possibility of installing it in a home boiler room largely depends on this.

Requirements for the chimney and boiler installation

Combination boilers, according to the rules of their operation, have some features that make them slightly different from simpler designs of heating devices. These nuances need to be known, at least to ensure that the device is safe in everyday use.

The main condition for installation is a properly equipped chimney pipe. It should be arranged in the same way as for a wood stove.
It must have good draft, and this will be ensured by the required height of the pipe head rising above the roof. This distance should be at least half a meter.

A very important condition is the flow of air into the blower chamber. To avoid getting into the room carbon monoxide from unburned fuel, it may be necessary to arrange supply ventilation. It will help burn the fuel to the end and remove all the resulting combustion products into the ventilation pipe.
The chimney pipe must be well insulated to prevent condensation from forming during the cold season from the difference between the hot exhaust air and the cold outside air. Accumulated moisture in the pipe can lead to the formation of ice, blocking the exit of smoke. To prevent this from happening, the chimney must be insulated immediately after installing the boiler.
Such a boiler should be located in a separate room (boiler room) - in this case its operation will be safer.

The boiler is quite large and massive

It is also necessary to remember that the weight of the heating boiler is quite large, and can even be several hundred kilograms. This must be taken into account when installing it, since not every floor can withstand such a load, and it may have to be strengthened. The floor or special foundation must be reinforced concrete, otherwise it may simply sag.

Single-circuit heating boiler using wood and electricity

To install such a boiler, it is better to contact specialists who work in this profile for help. They will be able to advise with knowledge of the matter best model device, and install it without problems, based on safety rules and technology requirements.