Use boiler hot water coil in summer
Getting ready to install a coal boiler in my new house and was debating a summer/vacations backup. It came to mind could I just use an electric boiler to keep the coal one hot when shutdown and still use the built in coil for hot water? Keeping the coal boiler hot all summer would fight off rust real well for sure.
- gaw
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- Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker KA-6
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What would be the cost? Using electricity for that may prove to be quite costly. Best thing for the boiler would be to keep the coal fire going all year. Depending on your coal prices that may not be the most economical choice either.
Not against burning all summer but not dealing with ashes all summer has some value. If we want to take a 2 week vacation gotta keep things from freezing somehow in the winter.
Electric boiler is just as efficient as an electric water heater, 100%. Electric rates are regulated right now we pay about .12/KWH consistently. Propane we will just say the skies the limit without getting political. Buying a backup propane boiler would also prove to be quite expensive as well, about twice as much as electric boiler. In addition there is no annual maintenance in electric boiler, modern modcon's are a sensor nightmare to say the least.
Electric boiler is just as efficient as an electric water heater, 100%. Electric rates are regulated right now we pay about .12/KWH consistently. Propane we will just say the skies the limit without getting political. Buying a backup propane boiler would also prove to be quite expensive as well, about twice as much as electric boiler. In addition there is no annual maintenance in electric boiler, modern modcon's are a sensor nightmare to say the least.
- Rob R.
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Electric boiler is a great way to provide short term heat in the winter. The downside of using it for summer DHW is the amount of heat that the boiler will shed in the basement, and up the chimney if not unhooked. An electric water heater is completely insulated with spray foam...not the case with the Keystoker. If you decide to go this route I would consider insulating the boiler with foil faced foam board or rigid fiberglass, with the seams taped.
- CoalHeat
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Run mine all summer too, about the same on the ash as well.