What causes an EFM520 to back burn.
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- Member
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Sun. Dec. 21, 2014 8:21 am
- Location: Mt. Carmel
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Coal Size/Type: Rice
I have installed a switch for the timer on my EFM and several others over the past 30 years without any back burning problems what so ever. I do this not to save coal but rather the unnecessary start up of the motor. I usually turn the timer off in late October and back on around late March or early April. And, my timer is on a one hour cycle for 2 minutes and have never experienced an outfire-----however, I do have a secondary aquastat wired to shut down the stoker in the event that the stoker does go out. And finally, I have had an EFM (self installed) in our previous 2 homes. Three years ago I built our 1400 square feet one story "retirement" home. My insulation is R24 walls and R50 in the ceiling. I have a combination of under floor radiant, cast iron baseboard, and copper fin baseboard (all on separate zones of course). I run the stoker year round (even with a jacket and insulation there is no humidity in my basement during the summer) and burn around 4 1/2- 5 tons a year. My neighbor who has a similar sized ranch home told me I was nuts to install a coal boiler. He has propane and his bill for January was near $400 and he also ran his mini-split AC/Heat pump. I told him that is just a little less than what I pay fore the entire year!!!!!!!!!!