Installing a solid fuel boiler now will no longer mean smoke, soot and soot throughout the house. Now such systems have undergone many changes and are worthy of your attention. Why? Let's figure it out together.
This heating device is made mainly of cast iron or heat-resistant steel. Energy is released through the combustion of solid fuel. The materials used are wood, coal, and peat. Modern designs of solid fuel boilers are completely different from the first examples of such boilers. Thanks to the enlarged combustion chamber, it became possible to add a large amount of fuel at once. With today's boilers, you can ensure even 12-hour operation of the equipment without your supervision.
The firewood loading pattern can be vertical or frontal, depending on the design. There are systems with automatic loading. Other similar boilers can be non-volatile, in which the circulation of liquid occurs due to the slope of the pipes, and energy-dependent. The latter will be more economical; in them, water moves through the system under pressure, due to the operation of a special pump. True, in this case, the operation of the equipment depends on the voltage in the network, and the circuit is no longer completely autonomous.
Photo of a solid fuel boiler with automatic loading
Such equipment has a lot of advantages, although it is not without minor disadvantages. Let's look at them all in order. The main advantage is that you can install a solid fuel boiler yourself. Also, unlike gas wiring, you don’t have to run around to different services, wait in queues, obtain the appropriate permits, etc. The next significant advantage is cost-effectiveness.
Compared to a gas solid fuel system, it is 4 times cheaper, and with diesel fuel equipment it is 8 times cheaper. And what can we say about electric boilers, heating a house with them will cost as much as 17 times more than with solid fuel ones.
In the photo - a boiler with a solid fuel system
In addition, such equipment has a long service life, for example, for cast iron boilers it reaches 50 years. Steel units, however, can last you only 20 years, but this is also a lot. Modern devices are equipped with an electronic system, which greatly simplifies control. And don’t forget about maintainability. The operating scheme of such boilers assumes operation without the participation of gas or electricity, so another of their advantages includes partial or complete autonomy.
Now let's talk a little about the cons. Firstly, you will have to put firewood, coal and other fuel into the firebox yourself. It's not difficult, but it will take a little time and effort. Secondly, you will have to constantly monitor the condition of the boiler and, if necessary, clean it of ash formed on the walls and grate.
Correct connection of solid fuel boilers is, of course, necessary, but in order for the equipment to function properly and serve for a long time, it needs proper care. Very often, there are remains of combustion products in the firebox, for example, ash, soot. All this significantly reduces power. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly (at least once a week) clean these deposits from the walls of the firebox. The grate also needs cleaning. To remove unwanted ash, you just need to stir the coals using a special lever. By the way, this simple device will allow for emergency coal discharge if necessary.
Photo of connecting a solid fuel boiler
For proper functioning, you also need to monitor the draft in the chimney and the circulation of liquid throughout the system. For this purpose, the chimney is cleaned once a year. It is very important to properly insulate all its areas located in unheated rooms. Otherwise, condensation will form in them, which will not allow combustion products to escape freely. And to improve the circulation of fluid in the system, you should install a pump. It is placed directly in front of the entrance to the boiler when the water returns to it. This will not only have the best effect on thermal characteristics, but will also allow you to save a little. The liquid will move faster and return to the boiler hot, which means less energy will be spent on its next heating.
Boiler installation diagram and procedure
Please note that installation is a very important matter, and any mistake will result in at least incorrect functioning of the system. But if you are not afraid to take risks, let’s turn to our step-by-step instructions.
How to install a solid fuel boiler - step by step diagram
Step 1: Select a location
Such equipment should be placed in a separate room. Basements or ground floors are most often used as a boiler room. Hot coals from the firebox can fall onto the floor, so the base under the boiler must be perfectly level and non-flammable. A concrete slab is perfect. Be sure to ensure that the body is in a strictly vertical position. Its distortions are unacceptable.
You also need to maintain the following distances. There should be more than half a meter between the back surface of the heating unit and the wall. And from the front side of the boiler to other objects and surfaces, a distance of at least 125 cm is maintained. The ceiling height cannot be less than 250 cm, and the volume of the room in which the heating equipment is located must be more than 15 cubic meters. Treat the floor and walls of the boiler room with special fire-fighting agents and take care of a good exhaust system.
Step 2: Preparing components
The circuit consists of a radiator, a pipe, a circulation pump, an expansion tank and the heating unit itself. The kit also includes a heat accumulator, air and safety valves, a pressure gauge and a thermostat. Be sure to check the serviceability of all elements when purchasing and give preference only to reliable manufacturers.
Step 3: Hardware Installation
We display the unit in the boiler room, adhering to all the above requirements. Pay special attention to the position of the body; it should be positioned strictly horizontally. Therefore, check the prepared area again with a level to see if it is level enough. Then we connect all electric heaters, if any are included in the package. In principle, there is nothing complicated about this, since there is a special place in the boiler itself where the heating element will be located, and next to this element there is a thermostat.
Step 4: Install Piping and Electronics
Connection diagrams for solid fuel boilers assume the presence of pipes. It is best to connect them through shut-off valves. The joints are additionally sealed with flax fibers or special plumbing tape. If we are talking about volatile units, then they, accordingly, should be connected to the network. Don't forget about grounding. Next, we install all the devices responsible for the safe operation of the equipment. This is a thermostat, valves, pressure gauge, draft sensor.
Step 5: Installation of the chimney
Today it is not at all necessary to lay a chimney out of brick; you can assemble it from special plastic elements. Wherein The diameter of the components is selected depending on the power of the equipment. Therefore, be sure to follow the recommendations given in the operating instructions for the selected boiler. Moreover, this stage is especially important, because the key to high-quality operation of a thermal unit is good traction.
Step 6: Filling the Outline
First, we fill the heating circuit with water so that the pressure is slightly higher than the working pressure, and carefully inspect the entire system, especially the joints. This way you will identify all leaks, if any. Then we carefully check whether the internal elements of the firebox are positioned correctly. These include the ignition valve, grates, fireclay stones and plugs.
Step 7: Connection
If the entire circuit is in order, no leaks are detected, then you need to relieve the pressure to operating pressure, adjust the position of the dampers and begin directly operating the heating device. To do this, add and light the fuel, and after 10 minutes close the damper. As soon as the temperature reaches 80 degrees, set the thermostat to the desired level. All that remains is to add firewood in time and enjoy the comfortable microclimate.
The wiring diagram for a solid fuel boiler refers to the entire set of necessary devices and elements that together form a single heating system for the house. It includes the boiler itself, heating devices (radiators, heated towel rails, heated floors), control and automation devices, shut-off and control valves, pipelines, etc. Choosing the optimal connection diagram and following the basic rules when installing the boiler are the key to reliable and safe operation of the heating device throughout its entire service life.
When installing any boiler TT piping circuit yourself, a number of mandatory requirements must be met.
Mini boiler room with solid fuel floor boiler
Installation requirements:
- The operating temperature and pressure of the heat-carrying liquid at the outlet of the boiler should not exceed the values established for them, for which the use of special automatic protective devices and emergency connection circuits is provided.
- The temperature difference between the coolant at the boiler outlet and inlet should not exceed 20 degrees. This is necessary to prevent the formation of condensing moisture inside its housing, which especially important for steel boilers.
- It is advisable to include automatic devices in the boiler piping scheme that allow you to regulate its power and maintain the optimal temperature of the coolant. You also need to include devices to increase its efficiency and versatility (storage tanks for hot water, etc.).
It should be noted that compliance with these requirements is much more convenient to implement in forced circulation circuits, which is why they are most widespread among owners of home boiler rooms.
In this article:
Basic strapping patterns
Depending on the number of boiler circuits, the type of heating system and the need to connect additional devices, the piping circuit of a solid fuel boiler can have many options.
Let's look at the most common methods of connecting TT boilers.
To an open type system with natural circulation
This scheme considered the easiest to implement, since it contains a minimum number of connected devices. Its main advantage is its complete independence from the availability of power in the house.
Disadvantage: it is impossible to regulate the temperature of the coolant at the outlet of the boiler and the entry of oxygen into the coolant from the open expansion tank. This can cause accelerated corrosion of the inner surface of metal heating pipes and steel boilers.
Piping diagram for an open system with natural circulation
It requires special installation rules:
- the heating boiler must be located at least 0.5 m below the installation level of heating radiators (to create stable natural coolant circulation);
- the pipes must be located at a slope in the direction of coolant circulation and have a sufficiently large diameter to reduce their hydraulic resistance;
- the open type expansion tank should be located at the highest point of the system;
- In the heating system, it is desirable to use a minimum number of shut-off valves and control devices that reduce the flow area of pipelines.
About the natural heating system.
Towards a closed system with natural circulation
This scheme uses a closed-type membrane tank, which is usually installed on the return line of the heating system. Its capacity must be at least 10% of the total volume of coolant used in the heating system.
Piping the boiler to a closed system with natural circulation
With this scheme for connecting the boiler at the outlet of its supply pipe must be present an air vent and a pressure relief valve, which is connected by a drain hose to the sewer.
These devices can be installed separately or included in the so-called TT boiler safety group, which is a separate device.
It includes:
- pressure gauge for visual control;
- safety valve for pressure relief;
- air bleed valve to bleed air from the system.
In some models of solid fuel boilers, these safety elements are already built into the boiler body.
To a forced circulation system
Here for forced circulation of heat-carrying fluid through the pipelines of the heating system. The pump is usually installed on the return coolant supply line between the boiler inlet pipe and the membrane tank.
The operation of the pump is controlled by a temperature sensor mounted on the return line.
Connecting the boiler to a forced circulation system
The use of pumps for forced circulation significantly increases the efficiency of the system through the use of various temperature control equipment. However, for its operation it is necessary to connect to a household power supply, which increases energy consumption and makes the system energy dependent on an uninterrupted power supply.
Collector connection method
The collector method of connecting a solid fuel boiler is used in forced circulation systems and involves the inclusion of special devices in the piping circuit - collectors, also called combs.
They are sections of larger diameter pipes with one inlet and several outlets, connected to the inlet and outlet of the boiler.
Piping the boiler heat exchanger with the manifold system
Advantage of the scheme:
- possibility of separate connection of each heating device. This allows you to supply them with coolant of the same temperature and pressure, as well as more efficiently control their operation.
Flaw:
- high consumption of pipes and the complexity of their installation during installation of the system.
This is a special type of piping using the so-called hydraulic arrow, which is a large diameter pipe installed vertically, connected to the inlet and outlet of the boiler.
Heating devices can be connected to the inputs and outputs of the hydraulic arrow at different heights.
This method of connecting heating devices allows you to select the optimal coolant temperature at the inlet and outlet for each of them.
To a system with an indirect hot water boiler
Piping a solid fuel boiler according to this scheme can be used in systems with any type of coolant circulation.
Connection to a system with a DHW boiler
The output supply line of the boiler is connected in parallel to heating radiators and a heat exchanger (coil), built into a separate thermally insulated container (boiler), in which water is heated for the DHW system. This expands the functionality of the TT boiler, allowing it to additionally provide hot water to the home during its operation.
An automatic valve can be installed at the entrance to the DHW heat exchanger, shutting off the supply of coolant to it when the water in the boiler is heated as necessary.
To a system with a heat accumulator
This connection diagram can be used in systems with any type of coolant circulation.
During the tying process, two circulation circuits are formed:
- between the boiler and the heat accumulator (TA);
- between the heating unit and the main heating system.
Connecting a solid fuel boiler with a heat accumulator
During operation of the boiler, the hot coolant enters the TA, which is a separate storage tank with a thermally insulated body. The heat exchanger gradually accumulates the heat generated by the boiler and, if necessary, transfers it to the heating system for heating devices.
After the boiler stops (fuel combustion stops), the hot coolant stored in the heat exchanger continues to flow into the system for some time, depending on the internal volume of the heat exchanger.
This connection scheme can significantly increase the boiler efficiency and reduce fuel consumption, and is also an effective means of protecting the boiler and all system elements from overheating.
Connecting emergency systems
Elements of emergency systems in the wiring diagram are used for the following purposes:
- protection against increasing the maximum operating pressure in the system;
- protection against exceeding the maximum permissible output temperature of the coolant, overheating of the boiler and heating system elements;
- preventing the formation of condensation in the boiler due to a large temperature difference of the coolant at the inlet and outlet of the device.
Safety valve
Protection of the boiler and system elements when the operating pressure of the heat-carrying liquid is exceeded is provided by a safety valve installed on the supply line at the outlet of the boiler. Such a valve can be part of a boiler safety group, which is built into the boiler itself or connected separately.
How does a safety valve work?
A drain hose is connected to the pressure relief port of the valve. When the valve is activated, excess heat-carrying liquid from the system is drained into the sewer through a hose.
Emergency heat exchanger
An emergency heat exchanger is needed to protect the boiler and system elements from overheating.
Equipment overheating can occur in two cases:
- when the power generated by the boiler exceeds that required for heat consumers;
- when the circulation pump stops working due to its breakdown or power outage.
The heat exchanger consists of a cooling module and a thermal valve with a remote thermal sensor set to a certain temperature. They can be installed inside the boiler itself or separately on the coolant supply line to the heating system.
How does a heat exchanger work?
When the permissible temperature is exceeded, the thermal valve is activated by a signal from the thermal sensor.
It supplies cold water from the water supply line to the cooling module, in which excess heat is removed from the coolant. From the cooling module, the water that has removed the heat goes into the sewer system.
Additional circuit
Protection of the boiler from overheating in systems with forced circulation can also be ensured using an additional circuit with natural circulation, to which a storage tank for hot water is connected.
Boiler piping with an additional circuit
During normal operation of the system, the pressure created by the circulation pump in the main circuit closes the additional circuit using a check valve, preventing the heat-carrying fluid from circulating in it.
When the pump is turned off for any reason, the forced circulation of the coolant in the main circuit stops and natural circulation begins in the additional circuit. Due to this, the heat-carrying liquid in the system is cooled to the required temperature.
Thermostatic mixer
Maintaining the minimum required temperature at the boiler inlet to prevent the formation of condensation in it is ensured by a thermostatic mixer.
The device is installed on the return pipeline and connected to the supply line using a jumper (bypass).
Installation of a thermostatic mixer
When the temperature of the coolant in the return line is low, the thermal mixer opens and mixes hot liquid into it. After reaching the desired temperature, the thermal mixer closes and stops supplying hot coolant through the bypass to the return.
This scheme can be used in systems with any type of circulation.
Can it be made from improvised materials?
What is the advantage of double-circuit solid fuel heating boilers over similar devices with a single circuit. How can you use an additional circuit to increase the power of the boiler? available via the link.
It often happens that in a private house there is no possibility of connecting to central communications due to the great distance from them. This problem is especially relevant for new cottage villages that are actively populated, but communications are planned to be completed in the next couple of years. If you find yourself in such a situation and want to live in your own home this coming winter, the best solution for you is to install an autonomous heating system with your own boiler room.
In most cases, cottage owners prefer solid fuel boiler models that burn wood, coal, and pellets. Solid fuel is familiar, effectively copes with its task and is inexpensive.
In this article we will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of different connection schemes for boiler equipment operating on solid fuel, and we will tell you how to properly install the boiler so that the building’s heating system functions smoothly, efficiently and safely.
The procedure for installing a solid fuel boiler in a private house
The installation procedure traditionally includes 3 stages, including:
There are several strapping options, below we will talk about them in detail.
One of the most important stages that should be taken as seriously as possible is the arrangement of the boiler room (furnace room) - the room in which the boiler is supposed to be installed. The boiler room must be equipped in accordance with all fire safety requirements, including:
Also, in order to ensure fire safety, it is necessary to leave as much free space around the boiler as possible and not install it close to the wall.
Boiler piping diagrams
Owners of private houses who install their own heating system, as a rule, choose the simplest piping scheme. This option involves connecting boiler equipment to the heating system on both sides - to the supply pipeline and to the return pipeline - through a pair of pipes.
This wiring scheme is good because it is completely autonomous in relation to the power grid. Even in the event of power outages, the system will function properly.
The main and very significant drawback is that it is not possible to regulate the temperature of the coolant at the outlet of the heating equipment, which can ultimately lead to such adverse consequences as the appearance of rust on the surface of the pipes and boiler.
This connection option is quite popular due to the fact that even a non-specialist can do it. At the same time, there are more complex piping schemes that require the possibility of adjusting the temperature of the coolant, which should not fall below 60 °C, and, at the same time, boiling is also extremely undesirable. Compliance with this condition allows us to eliminate the following adverse events:
- a regularly occurring large temperature difference in the heat exchanger, which contributes to a reduction in the service life of the equipment and its maintenance-free operation;
- condensate formed on the inner surface of the combustion chamber.
The latter is especially important, since condensate is nothing more than weak solutions of low concentration acids that can corrode the walls of the boiler.
Basic strapping scheme
When choosing a method for connecting a solid fuel boiler to the heating system, special attention should be paid to the installation of the mixing unit, as well as the safety group. The latter is the first element of the system encountered on the path of the heated coolant. The security group includes:
- a pressure gauge that monitors the pressure in the system;
- safety valve - discharge of excess coolant and steam;
- an air vent that eliminates the occurrence of air jams;
Such equipment is presented in the “Related Products” section of our online store under the name “Security Group”. Its main purpose is to ensure trouble-free operation of the heating system. The pressure gauge, air vent and valve are mounted on a single manifold made of stainless steel. It allows you to reduce the pressure in the system automatically.
We advise you to read our article Types of safety automation for gas boilers on our Zen channel.
Installation of the mixing unit
After installing the safety group, you can begin installing the mixing unit - a return jumper connecting the supply circuit of the heating system with the return circuit. During operation of the system, the liquid, bypassing the heating devices, gives off heat and returns to the boiler for heating.
If this circuit operates correctly, when the coolant temperature drops below 60 °C, the jumper will open automatically, a small volume of hot water will enter the return circuit and the temperature will return to the desired value.
Solid fuel boilers "Kupper" are universal heating equipment capable of operating in open and closed systems, where forced or natural coolant circulation is provided. Such a boiler can act either as an independent source of heat energy, or as an additional one - as part of an existing heating circuit, in tandem with another boiler running on gas, electricity or liquid fuel.
An additional advantage of purchasing a Kupper boiler from the Teplodar company is that a thermometer for temperature control is included with the heating equipment.
Connecting a solid fuel boiler with a heat accumulator
If the boiler does not have the option of automatic fuel supply, you will have to monitor the amount of fuel in the firebox yourself and periodically load a new portion into the flame. The more actively the boiler is heated, the more intensively the heating system works. This is not very convenient, because a lot of time is spent on the above manipulations to maintain the desired temperature in the room.
This inconvenience can be partially overcome by a buffer tank - a kind of heat accumulator, which is a tank of water, which is heated from the supply circuit of the heating system. The list of advantages of installing it is:
- the ability to reduce the elevated coolant temperature at the peak of boiler operation;
- heat transfer to the cooled coolant when the temperature of the liquid in the system decreases.
It takes quite a long time for such a heat accumulator to cool down. When choosing a buffer tank, assume that for a house with an area of 150 m2 or more you will need a tank with a volume of at least 1 m3.
Additional mixing unit
An additional mixing unit is mounted in the area between the buffer tank and the heating radiators. This element of the system connects the return and supply circuits and allows you to avoid strong temperature differences when the coolant almost begins to boil at the peak of the boiler operation.
By the way, for solid fuel boilers “Kupper” with an automatic pellet burner, an additional mixing unit is not needed and when installing them, you can safely limit yourself to the most primitive piping scheme.
In the Kupper OVK 10 model, an automatic pellet burner (APG) is installed in place of the ash door of the boiler, and the container into which pellets are loaded and the built-in control panel are installed on the boiler itself, which saves space in the room. Before starting the work process, the operating parameters of the heating system are set on the remote control. Using an automatic remote control, you can control the ignition, combustion process and maintain a balanced temperature of the coolant without the participation of additional mixing units that complicate installation. Another advantage of this model is that the ash is partially removed under the influence of a built-in high-power fan.
This boiler is suitable for installation in rooms up to 100 m² and can be used in a residential building, country house, garage, and other places. The equipment can be easily integrated into different types of heating systems. A nice bonus is the presence of a stove with a hob.
Emergency circuit connection diagram
One of the obvious and most common problems that occurs in heating systems with solid fuel boilers is overheating of the coolant. It is extremely undesirable to allow hot water to be converted into steam and to cool it down to the required levels in a timely manner.
There are three simple and effective methods of cooling the coolant:
- In addition to the main one, an additional heat exchanger is installed in the firebox. The first will work to heat the coolant, the second will provide cooling of the liquid. The inlet pipe is connected to the water supply, and the opposite pipe is connected to the sewerage system. If you urgently need to cool the coolant, simply unscrew the valve on the pipe and cold water will flow into the second heat exchanger.
- During the process of arranging the system, one heat exchanger is mounted inside another, which ensures a rapid decrease in the temperature of the working fluid if necessary.
- Two pipes are connected to the heat exchanger pipes, the first is connected to the water supply system, and the second to the sewerage system. Next, a valve is installed to supply cold water to the system. Excess coolant is discharged into the sewer.
All three methods are equally effective and achieve the same results.
Additional connection diagrams for a solid fuel heating boiler
We recommend that you pay attention to such an important circumstance that directly affects the choice of piping scheme for solid fuel boilers, such as interruptions in the electrical network that occur from time to time. This is fraught with a sudden boiling of the coolant with all the ensuing consequences. This problem can be solved by installing a bypass, which will isolate the circulation pump from the heating circuit.
Bypass (emergency path) is a backup pipeline through which coolant can be supplied bypassing some section of the main pipe or in parallel. One end of it is connected to the inlet pipe, the other to the outlet pipe. A bypass is often used to install additional devices on it, for example, shut-off valves, with the help of which, if necessary, they block the water flow in the main line, redirecting it to the spare one. To completely shut off the system, the outlet pipe is equipped with a tap. Shut-off valves can also be mounted on the bypass, on the inlet pipe.
Combination boilers
Recently, combination boilers, which provide continuous heating of the coolant regardless of external circumstances, are gaining increasing popularity. The system can be supplemented with another boiler, gas or electric. The connection diagram for an electric boiler to a solid fuel boiler is carried out in a parallel way. Equipment with insertion into the supply and return circuits is added to the piping. Shut-off valves must be installed at the junction of two connections. In the case of an automated system, a 3-way valve with a thermal head is used.
The assortment of our online store includes boiler models that can be used in similar schemes, for example, “Kupper Praktik 20”. This equipment is designed to heat rooms with an area of 130-200 m2 and can operate on both coal and wood. Thanks to its compact size, it takes up little space. Another option, “Kupper Praktik 8”, is intended for small rooms from 40 to 80 m2. Thanks to the presence of a heating element block, the coolant temperature is maintained for some time after the fuel has burned out.
Installing a solid fuel boiler (SF) can significantly reduce home heating costs. With the right approach, you can save not only during operation, but also at the stage of installation work, doing it yourself.
The basic requirements and subtleties of installing boiler equipment will be discussed in this publication.
Boiler room: convenience or necessity?
in a private house does not require special permits and can be carried out manually, but you should be prepared to arrange a combustion chamber: separate, well-ventilated, in compliance with all fire safety rules. Now about everything in more detail.Important! Based on SNiP 42-01-2002. A separate boiler room is required for heating equipment with a capacity of more than 60 kW. With lower power, the equipment can be installed in the kitchen of the house. In this case, the volume of the room must be at least 15 m3, and the ceiling height must be at least 2.5 m.
Despite some financial investments, most homeowners . It's all about the possible release of carbon monoxide and dirt from the use of solid fuel.
Important! If you plan to use a solid fuel boiler system with a power from 60 to 150 kW, then installation can be carried out in any separate room of the house (and on any floor), with a volume of at least 15 m 3. If the power of the boiler unit exceeds 150 kW, then installation should be carried out in an extension or a separate room on the first (or basement) floor. The volume of the boiler room is at least 15m3.
There are a few general requirements to pay attention to. The combustion chamber must:
- have a window for ventilation. The glazing area is standardized: 0.03m2 / 1m3 of room volume.
- be equipped with a smoke exhaust system;
- be equipped with a ventilation, sewerage and water supply system;
Foundation
It is necessary to say a few words about the base on which TT equipment is installed.
- For boiler units with a power of up to 50 kW, a screed can be used as a base.
- For equipment with a power of more than 50 kW, a separate concrete foundation is required, not connected to the foundation of the house.
- The foundation must protrude at least 250 mm beyond the boiler installation.
Advice: If a wooden house does not have a separate foundation for a boiler installation, then it can be made from fire-resistant bricks, on which a sheet of asbestos and metal is laid. The base must be larger than the boiler TT (minimum) by 150 mm. from each side. In front of the loading door, the metal must extend at least 200 mm beyond the heating installation.
The problem is associated with the large weight of powerful heating units and the vibration loads that boilers equipped with a screw conveyor for fuel supply exert on the TT support.
Important! To ensure the required fire resistance (45 min.), combustion chambers must be made of non-combustible materials.
Ventilation
The key to proper fuel combustion in heating equipment is high-quality and reliable natural combustion, which is calculated based on the power of the boiler installation and the dimensions of the combustion room. In most cases, for boiler equipment with a power of up to 35 kW, it is enough to organize:
- inlet with a grille, cross-section 300/300 mm in the lower part of the wall opposite from the boiler)
- exhaust vent with grille, cross-section 400/400 mm at a height of no more than 30 cm from the ceiling.
Important! A supply and exhaust ventilation system in a boiler room is necessary: during the combustion of fuel, a vacuum is created, which is compensated by the supply air. An exhaust hood is needed to remove combustion products that have entered the furnace room.
Let's digress a little, because we want to inform you that we have compiled a rating of solid fuel boilers by model. You can learn more from the following materials:
Chimney
Any boiler equipment in which thermal energy is produced by burning fuel must be equipped with a smoke exhaust. As a rule, a smoke shaft is laid at the design stage of the building. If a stationary chimney is not provided in the furnace room, then it should be installed independently. Most often, stainless steel sandwich modules are used for this, which are double-walled, insulated sections of the chimney that are easily assembled into a single structure.
The figure shows three options for arranging a chimney for a TT boiler installation.
Basic requirements for the chimney:
- The cross-section of the smoke exhaust pipe must be constant throughout its entire length. For household models this is 150 - 200 mm 2.
- Bends and slopes of the chimney are not allowed. In case of emergency, a displacement of no more than 1 m is allowed with a site slope of no more than 30°.
- The joints of sections (sandwich modules) should not pass inside the ceiling.
- The height of the chimney must ensure a vacuum in the boiler of at least 10 Pa.
Important: Modern roofing materials provide a high fire resistance limit. To prevent fires, it is recommended to equip chimneys with a spark arrester.
Stages of installation work
Issues related to the boiler room were discussed above: organizing the installation site of the TT boiler, ventilation and smoke removal systems. So, how to install a solid fuel boiler in your home?
- Place the boiler on the prepared base so that the flue gas pipe is opposite the smoke exhaust duct.
- Secure the unit to the foundation using a level.
- Connect the CT heat generator to the smoke exhaust system.
- Install a fan and automation on the boiler unit.
Remove the original packaging and assemble the equipment according to the documentation.
Advice: Do not install or connect automation and attachments until the boiler unit is completely installed on the foundation.
The connection diagram for a solid fuel boiler to a gravity-type heating system is as follows: “supply” and “return” are connected directly to the boiler unit. At the “supply”, a safety group is installed, consisting of a pressure gauge, a blast valve and an air vent. The expansion tank is mounted at the highest point of the heating system. The main advantage of this scheme is energy independence.
Connecting a solid fuel boiler to a closed heating system with forced circulation requires the presence of a three-way valve, which will prevent low-temperature coolant from entering the boiler installation.
One of the options for this scheme may include an indirect heating boiler to create a domestic hot water system for the cottage. A popular solution in a scheme with a TT boiler is the use of a heat accumulator. This scheme can be implemented in conjunction with an indirect heating boiler and a “warm floor” circuit.
As a conclusion: Based on SNiP, after connecting to communications and piping the boiler unit, it is necessary to carry out hydraulic tests under a pressure of 1.3 kg/cm 2. Only after inspecting the system for leaks and inspecting the boiler can a test run of the equipment and adjustment of the thermostat be carried out.
Installing a solid fuel boiler in a private home does not require special knowledge or specific work, but we strongly recommend entrusting this work to professionals. The durability of the equipment and the microclimate in your home depend on proper installation.
The installation of a heating system in a private house begins with the installation of a boiler. Many suburban communities do not have a natural gas pipeline. Instructions on how to properly connect a solid fuel boiler will alleviate this problem.
Necessary conditions for the correct connection of a solid fuel boiler to the heating system
- A separate room for the boiler room is selected. The area is about 7m2. A boiler room in a separate building is ideal. Loading fuel into the boiler room can be made easier. It is enough to install a so-called chute in the area of the receiving bunker on the outside where, for example, coal will be unloaded. Having unloaded the fuel into the receiving hopper, the coal is poured down the slope into the boiler room on its own.
- It is preferable to place the heating boiler below the 0 floor level. This boiler installation option ensures ideal circulation of coolant in the heating system without the use of a circulation pump.
- The base for the boiler must be made of a concrete pad with an even top layer. The thickness of the concrete screed is 10 cm. The area of the base under the boiler should be 20 cm larger than the dimensions of the connected boiler. On the furnace side 40-50 cm.
- According to SNiP standards and fire safety requirements, the distance between the boiler and the wall is 50 cm. From the side of the combustion opening, firebox, to the opposite wall the distance is at least 1.3 m.
- The installed heating boiler should not have gaps between the base and the body.
- The boiler must be connected to the heating system with a steel pipe at least 1 meter long at the inlet and outlet of the pipeline. It is incorrect to connect the boiler to the heating system with copper and polymer pipes.
Below is a diagram of the correct connection of a solid fuel boiler.
There are many connection methods. Let's consider one of the simple and reliable connection methods.
A safety group is installed from the boiler on the direct pipeline. After the safety group, a tee for the bypass is installed. Next, the supply is connected to the heating system wiring. Having given up its heat in the heating system, the coolant returns to the boiler through the return pipe. To avoid the main disease in the operation of solid fuel boilers, condensation, which negatively affects the integrity of the boiler, a thermostatic three-way valve is installed, connected to the return line on the bypass, set to a temperature of 50-60°C. When heated, the coolant circulates through a small circuit through a three-way valve. A temperature of 55°C prevents the formation of condensation on the inner walls of the boiler. A circulation pump is installed after the three-way thermostatic valve. As soon as the return temperature reaches 55°C, the three-way valve opens and the heated coolant flows into the heating circuit to the radiators.
Connecting a solid fuel boiler paired with a gas boiler, diagrams and features
The connection diagram for a solid fuel boiler in parallel with a gas boiler differs from the installation of two solid fuel boilers. The requirements for the boiler room, where the main condition is air exchange, also differ:
- The area of a boiler room with a gas boiler, as recommended by fire authorities and the gas service, is calculated as follows: 1 kW of power - 0.2 m 3 with a ceiling height of 2.5 m, but not less than 15 m 3.
- A boiler room with a gas boiler must be equipped with a window with a window, the size of which is 0.03 m2 per 1 m3 of room volume.
- The entrance door of the boiler room must open only to the street. The door width is at least 80cm.
Gas boilers are available in two versions. Floor and wall. The requirements for installing a floor-standing gas boiler are the same as for a solid fuel boiler. The length of the pipe connecting the chimney and the boiler is no more than 25 cm. If the boiler is coaxial, the pipe for removing combustion products is installed at an angle of -3°. In another option, a gas boiler requires a separate pipe made of ceramic or lined with stainless steel with a hatch to remove combustion products, and a tee with a tap to remove condensate is installed in the lower part of the pipe.
A gas and solid fuel boiler are connected in parallel to the heating system in several ways. The schemes are different, it is not necessary to know them all, it is enough to understand the features that must be taken into account when using this combination of boilers in relation to your premises:
- Use the heat exchanger effectively. It will separate the open and closed heating circuits. Connect the boiler to one of the circuits, and connect the second boiler to the second circuit. A solid fuel boiler, capable of raising the coolant temperature to 115°C, heats the secondary closed circuit to which the gas boiler is connected. The gas boiler is adjusted to a temperature of about 50-60°C. The main load will be taken on by the solid fuel boiler. As the fuel burns out, the gas boiler will automatically turn on, heating the secondary circuit of the heat exchanger. The secondary circuit is equipped with a diaphragm expander. A closed expansion tank protects radiators from excess pressure. With this configuration of a connected solid fuel boiler, it is possible to install an open expansion tank directly in the boiler room under the ceiling.
- The use of a hydraulic arrow for parallel connection of boilers is used mainly in houses with a large area. The operating principle of this system is as follows. The heating solid fuel boiler is installed first with a circulation pump, for example, 25/60 installed on the return pipe. An MD solenoid valve is mounted on the pipe between the boiler and the pump, which regulates the boiler circulation. Mandatory installation of a configured safety valve on the supply pipe. Shut-off valves are not installed on the supply side. The gas boiler is installed second. Through a tee, the boiler is connected through the supply pipe to the pipe from the solid fuel boiler and then connected to the hydraulic needle. Shut-off valves are not installed on the switch. On the second boiler, a pre-set safety valve is installed on the supply. A closed expansion tank is installed from the hydraulic needle on the return pipeline to the tee. Then, through a tee on the pipe, it is connected first to a gas boiler with the installation of a circulation pump of lower power than that of the first boiler. A valve without a servo drive is installed after the pump. Next, a solid fuel boiler is connected from the tee on the return pipeline. The use of a manifold after a hydraulic switch allows you to assemble several heating circuits with pump groups on each of them. Collectors make it possible to configure each circuit individually according to the loads on heating devices.
- Another method of parallel connection of boilers is when a solid fuel heating unit is installed first, a gas heating unit is installed second, and between them a check valve is installed on the supply pipeline, operating in the direction from the first heating unit. A bypass is installed in front of the check valve, connected to a three-way thermostatic valve set to a temperature of 55°C. Between the thermostatic valve and the boiler, a circulation pump of greater power than in a gas pump is installed on the return pipeline. The gas boiler is connected through a tee on the supply pipeline with a solid fuel boiler and then the supply pipeline goes to the radiators. The return pipeline from the radiators is first connected through a tee to the gas boiler. After the tee, it is necessary to install a spring check valve at the boiler. When both boilers are operating simultaneously, you need to adjust the temperature regime on the boilers. The gas boiler is adjusted to a temperature of 45°C. The solid fuel boiler is adjusted to a temperature of 75-80°C. Solid fuel will have priority. As the fuel burns and the temperature in the first boiler drops, the gas boiler will turn on automatically and maintain the set temperature in the house.
- Use of buffer capacity. The heat accumulator is a large steel thermally insulated container, the task of which is to retain the heated coolant from the boiler. The maximum load occurs during fuel combustion in a solid fuel boiler. For efficient operation of the heating system, the heat accumulator performs one of the main tasks. But there are big disadvantages in this scheme. It takes from 2 to 4 hours to heat the radiators to the desired temperature. This is where the gas boiler plays its main role. Let's look at the installation diagram. The solid fuel boiler is tied in the traditional way. A safety group is installed on the supply pipeline in front of the bypass. Then a bypass is installed through the tee. Next, the supply pipeline is connected to the storage tank. The bypass is connected to the return pipe through a thermostatic three-way valve set at 55°C. Then, a circulation pump is installed, running towards the boiler, and then the pipeline is connected to the boiler. A working circuit is created, and the coolant in the heat accumulator begins to gradually heat up. From the storage tank, the supply pipeline goes to the heating devices. A three-way valve is installed on it, going to the bypass. From the other outlet of the three-way valve, a circulation pump is mounted on the supply pipe.
After the pump, a check petal valve is installed, operating towards the radiators. Next, the supply from the gas boiler with the supply from the battery is connected through a tee. After completing this work, the direct pipeline is connected to the heating system distribution. From the heating system, the return pipeline is connected through a tee to the gas boiler with the obligatory installation of a spring check valve operating towards the gas boiler. A closed expansion tank is inserted in front of the tee to protect the heating system. After the tee, through which the gas boiler is connected via the return, the return pipeline goes to the heat accumulator and is connected to the bypass from the supply pipeline also through the tee. After connecting to the bypass line, the return pipeline is connected to the storage tank. This scheme allows you to quickly heat the heating system. Further operation of the system is designed to prioritize the operation of the solid fuel boiler.
Combined operation of a solid fuel boiler paired with an electric one
The connection diagram for a solid fuel boiler in parallel with an electric one is described in detail and in detail in the video:
Coordinated operation of solid fuel, gas and electric heating boilers
If desired, you can use a fairly simple connection diagram to combine the operation of 3 or more different types of heating boilers in addition to solid fuel, which still remains the most acceptable and economical in terms of consumption of heating resources.
