natural gas switch - how to store efm 520 for long term storage

 
mof1964
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Post by mof1964 » Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 6:38 am

Good Morning All,
This post might not be in the correct category, sorry if it's not.
Last night i found out that our little town is planning to bring natural gas to the end of town where i live. The gas line is end is currently about 1500 ft from my house. We had inquired about it close to 3 years ago and at that time it would have been my resposiblity to pay $41k - yeah crazy - to run that to our home.
Well demand has grown and the gas company and the borough are teaming up now to bring it into our section of town. They did this in other parts and the cost to the homeowner was minimal. Something like $200 and the gas company ran the lines underground to the homeowners. Many jumped on. Just talked to one of the women who owns a single story nice size 2000 sq ft home and she says her gas bill is $46 per month approx.

So with all that being said, if they do bring the gas line down my street, I will hook up to natural gas and eliminate my old oil boiler - original to 1964.
I want to leave the EFM 520 unit i have in the basement hooked up in case there would be an issue. How do store this for long term? Will it rot just sitting there if it's not used for years? maybe it really wouldn't be worth keeping?
i have had this unit since 2008 when oil peaked the winter of 07 /08 -- got from a forum member and i have always taken good care of it.

Thoughts anyone?


 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 7:38 am

We can store it in my basement. I'll even keep it hot for you.

 
mof1964
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Post by mof1964 » Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 7:51 am

Lightning, I will be sure to let you know if I need to store it off site :)

 
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franpipeman
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Post by franpipeman » Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 8:15 am

clean the ashes out, of all areas of the combustion path . shake the fine lever get them out. put a light bulb or other dehumidification method in n the combustion chamber and exhaust area. to help dehumidify it to minimize corrosion, check your water level and make sure it is not leaking water. I would valve off make up water but leave your expansion tank valve open if any Again no leaks including the hot water coil area.I you don't plan on firing it maybe even disconnect from chimney to prevent temperature changes.

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 8:20 am

A big +1 on all that.

 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 8:22 am

Removing the stovepipe is a must. Just a path for moisture to usurp your boiler.

 
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windyhill4.2
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Post by windyhill4.2 » Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 8:39 am

Don't mothball your EFM too hard...

You will need to fire it when temperatures drop down low & the ng line can't supply enough for everyone.

I am not referring to an uncommon occurrence either.


 
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David...
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Post by David... » Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 8:42 am

I can't see how the bill could be $46/month unless the month was September.

David

 
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windyhill4.2
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Post by windyhill4.2 » Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 8:47 am

David... wrote:
Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 8:42 am
I can't see how the bill could be $46/month unless the month was September.

David
Very true.... BUT !!!
Remember how ng works....

1st yr customers pay very low bills...
After the 1st yr..
The sky is the limit,because they have got you captive...

 
mof1964
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Post by mof1964 » Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 9:44 am

well I don't know how it can be $46 either but that's what she told me.
we have the original oil boiler and that is an oil guzzler & why we put the EFM 520 unit in.
I really like the idea of the natural gas since it's been cheaper and the heating units are very efficient.

I am however leery that once everyone moves to natural gas that prices might go up. If it is still cheaper than oil ok.
I plan on having a years worth of coal on hand ( 5 to 6 tons) in case something get crazy and we have to fire the 520 back up.
I also have a chubby in the family room and have had it burning for the past few months and have no plans to put that on the shelf. We love the radiant heat from it.

I see natural gas as a better option than a new oil boiler.

 
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StokerDon
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Post by StokerDon » Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 11:17 am

If you want to keep your options open, keep the EFM connected to the system along with the new gas boiler. That is cheap insurance there, gas prices will go up, no way around that. Don't let the gas boiler installer talk you into disconnecting the EFM.

If it were me, I would run it 365 days per year and heat the domestic water. Also push hot water to whichever boiler is dormant to keep it in good condition.

If the EFM is to be dormant for a long time, there are a few things you should do.
1) remove stove pipe, clean it and store in a dry place.

2) Do a through cleaning of the inside of the boiler including the heat exchanger.

3) Remove the bin auger, pipe and coupler. Flip the drive pawl and check pawl up and wind all the coal out of the pot and auger pipe. Clean all coal and ash out of the pot. Here is a video.


-Don

 
mof1964
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Post by mof1964 » Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 3:17 pm

Don,
Are you suggesting to run the coal boiler 365 just for the hot water? I have run it all year round before, but over the summer we are gone a bit and i have still left it run, but the basement gets hot. I often felt like the ac was working harder to keep house cool while i was heating the basement.

My plan would be to tie the gas boiler and stoker together like i have now.

 
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StokerDon
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Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 4:50 pm

It's better for the longevity of both boilers if the have hot water all the time. You don't have to keep them at 180 degrees in the Summer.

-Don

 
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windyhill4.2
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Post by windyhill4.2 » Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 5:05 pm

If you burn coal 365 days/yr to heat the water,you might as well heat your house too.

If you decide to stop burning coal & bring an explosive fuel into your house,hook the explosive fuel boiler to the EFM to keep the EFM water warm/hot ,then you won't need a lite bulb warming the EFM to ward off condensation.

 
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Sting
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Post by Sting » Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 5:58 pm

sell it - once you transition to a modern heating appliance

you will no longer need to shackle yourself to a solid fuel "contraption" from bygone days
:>)
Kind Regards
Sting


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