Wood boiler for heating a house: choose a simple, cheap and economical one

Before we look at our rating of the best solid fuel boilers of 2022, I would like to answer a number of important questions that will help many novice users decide on a purchase. First, you need to decide what to choose: a single-circuit boiler paired with a boiler or column, or a double-circuit analogue, equipped with an additional heat exchanger for organizing hot water supply. Due to the fact that our list contains an overwhelming number of affordable and budget-friendly models, we focused on single-circuit solutions (mainly) for several reasons: they are cheaper; in the event of a breakdown, the entire house will not be left without heat; the boiler and boiler provide quick access to heat and hot water. On the other hand, dual-circuit models provide space saving, as they combine two types of equipment.

In turn, according to the principle of operation, all solid fuel solutions for the home can be divided into several categories:

1. Pyrolysis - in such equipment the fuel smolders and does not burn, as is the case with analogues, as a result of which only gases are released, which, in turn, are saturated with heat. It is important that the firewood and processed products have high humidity for pyrolysis;
2. Classical - in such systems, heat is released during the flaming combustion of solid materials, and to maintain the temperature it is necessary to regularly replenish reserves with coal, firewood and processing waste, including stumps;
3. Long burning - in such devices heat is generated slowly, which is due to the name of the equipment. The main advantage is the burning time of firewood, up to several days.

Good solid fuel boilers for a private home

This category contains mainly single-circuit boilers in the entry-level price category. It’s worth noting right away that using a column in combination with such equipment requires a more complex piping than in the case of using a boiler. Speaking about dual-circuit solutions at the same price, it is worth saying that they are a priori difficult to find - in our opinion, only a few truly reliable models deserve attention. Most often, when operating them in the heating circuit, heating stops if you decide to use it for DHW. As a result, you still have to spend additional money on purchasing a storage tank.

Teplodar Cooper Praktik 14

The top 10 solid fuel boilers open with the budget classic model Teplodar Kupper Praktik 14 for areas up to 112 square meters. This is single-circuit equipment, as you understand, so for hot water supply you will have to think about buying a boiler or a water heater. As for the technical characteristics of the specified equipment, it should be noted a simple floor installation, a power of 14 kW, as well as a large chimney of 11.5 centimeters. Actually, the design is durable, made of reliable materials using leading technologies. Among the disadvantages, we can only note the fact that the thermostat to control this equipment must be purchased separately.

Pros:

• good design;
• easy installation;
• optimal consumption;
• wide chimney.

Minuses:

• The thermostat must be purchased separately.

Vesuvius Elbrus-10

If you are looking for a boiler with an open combustion chamber, you may want to pay attention to the Vesuvius Elbrus-10 model, whose power is 10 kW. Non-volatile technology has an open combustion chamber and convenient mechanical control. It is worth noting the convenient floor installation and maximum pressure of 3 bar. However, for the specified service area, this is enough. Moreover, the structure weighs only 107 kilograms and has a fairly large chimney with a diameter of 120 millimeters. For work you can use coal, firewood and sawdust. Among many analogues with the same characteristics, the equipment has a favorable price-quality ratio. Excellent for serving the private sector.

Pros:

• modest dimensions;
• stable work;
• good assembly;
• affordable price;
• a lot of positive feedback.

Minuses:

• few reviews.

Karakan 16TPEV3

This year, one of the best double-circuit solid-state boilers in terms of price/quality ratio is the Karakan 16TPEV3 model with a built-in hot water circuit, as you understand. That is, everything for hot water supply is already there. At the same time, the manufacturer offers functional heating equipment to service 160 square meters at an affordable price. The equipment received a high-quality expansion tank with effective natural circulation of water. It is also possible forcibly in a membrane tank. It is worth noting that the 16TPEV3 version differs from the classic modification (16TPEV) in having a larger firebox and increased productivity. In addition, the manufacturer took care of the presence of a hob. As a result, users were able to load large firewood into the firebox, up to 55 centimeters.

Pros:

• 3 mm steel body;
• hob;
• quality of construction;
• double-circuit principle;
• affordable price.

Minuses:

• pressure 3 ATM.

Lemax Forward-16

Don't let the name fool you, as the power of this model is 17 kW. At the same time, a good budget solid fuel boiler of the classic type with floor installation is attractive due to its simple mechanical control and energy-independent operation. It is worth reminding or telling for those who do not know that the “Forward” series was originally developed as an economical solution for residential premises, including cottages. And the manufacturer managed to cope with the task. Moreover, the equipment is distinguished by the presence of a shock-resistant and wear-resistant housing. Judging by the reviews, it guarantees tensile strength, and the heat exchanger is made of special steel 4 millimeters thick. This indicates a long service life of the equipment. In addition, an inhibitory composition and heat-resistant coating are used in production. In the firebox, the fuel is distributed very evenly, and its internal part is not afraid of corrosion.

Pros:

• corrosion protection;
• large firebox;
• optimal power;
• steel thickness;
• lifetime.

Minuses:

• few configurations.

Teplodar Cooper Pro-22 2.0

The best solid fuel boiler of 2022 for the home in terms of price/quality ratio is the Teplodar Kupper Pro-22 version 2.0 model. This equipment works up to 12 hours on just one load of coal. At the same time, the equipment can work with firewood, pellets, various brackets, including wood and peat. This boiler operates at a heating pressure of up to 3 atmospheres, which is the optimal indicator for this class. Note that the firebox capacity reaches 51 liters. We also note the convenient loading of fuel due to a well-designed tray. Based on customer reviews, it can be understood that the manufacturer created the equipment for our operating conditions; there is no doubt about the reliability of the invention.

Pros:

• 12 hours from one bookmark;
• for different fuels;
• reliable model;
• convenient loading tray.

Minuses:

• not found.

No. 7. ZOTA "Yenisei 18"

A classic single-circuit heating boiler that runs on briquettes, coal and wood. Belongs to the budget line of ZOTA boilers. Contents of delivery:

• directly the boiler with already installed grates;
• thermometer;
• user manual (passport);
• poker.

A special feature of the boiler is the ability to supply secondary air to the fuel chamber. When the damper on the combustion door is opened, air enters the upper part of the combustion chamber, as a result of which active ignition and combustion of fuel occurs (relevant, for example, for wet firewood).

Solid fuel boiler Zota Enisey

pros

1. Possibility of installing a mechanical draft regulator.
2. It is permissible to use electricity as an auxiliary fuel if you connect a heating element.
3. The presence of a hob consisting of one cast iron ring and a plug.
4. The optimal combination of price and quality.
5. Deep firebox and angled fire door for easy loading.
6. Effective circulation of coolant in a jacket encircling the entire boiler circuit.
7. Withstands high operating pressure without deformation.

Minuses

1. There is no damper for the chimney included.
2. The hob operates efficiently only in active fuel combustion mode.
3. Continuous operation for no more than 8 hours; therefore, additional fuel loading is necessary 2-3 times a day.
4. High fuel consumption.
5. The efficiency is lower than that of boilers from other manufacturers.

Characteristics

Technical specifications

Fuel consumption

The best long-burning solid fuel boilers

This category contains more expensive long-burning models, which differ from the above-mentioned classical and pyrolysis units in the duration of heat retention from 30 hours to 5 days. Obviously, over time, the savings justify the costs. However, not every user initially has the budget to make a decision in favor of such technology. Taking this circumstance into account, we focused on more affordable single-circuit units for the home, which are at least cheaper to repair, and generally have a more acceptable price/quality ratio than their double-circuit counterparts.

ZOTA Topol-16VK

Let's start with a popular product from ZOTA. Our rating of solid fuel boilers is supplemented by the Topol-16VK model. We are talking about single-circuit equipment with a thermal power of 16 kW, which can be understood by the name of the model. At the same time, users respond positively to the efficiency factor, which is not surprising. The efficiency indicator is 75%. The strengths of heating equipment include simple floor installation. You can use coal, briquettes, or firewood as a power source. In this case, you can count on a maximum coolant temperature of around 95 degrees. The coolant pressure in the circuit can reach 3 Bar.

Pros:

• easy installation;
• high efficiency;
• Maximum temperature;
• loyal price.

Minuses:

• not the most famous company.

Teplodar Cooper Expert-22

Speaking about inexpensive but good single-circuit solid fuel boilers, it is difficult to ignore the Teplodar Kupper Expert-22 model. The device is powered by electricity, designed to serve an area of ​​up to 176 square meters. Well suited for large houses and cottages. The power of the power plant reaches 22 kW. It is worth adding that the design of the equipment provides for the installation of a gas or pellet burner. However, they are not included in the package. The combustion chamber is made to last. The width of the chimney is 15 centimeters, which is the optimal indicator.

Pros:

• good assembly;
• boiler power;
• lifetime;
• reliable manufacturer.

Minuses:

• The gas burner must be purchased separately.

Heiztechnik Q HIT 11

Still haven’t decided which solid fuel boiler to choose for servicing a large home? In this case, we suggest paying attention to the Heiztechnik Q HIT PLUS 11 model with a power of 4 to 11 kW. The manufacturer offers many different configurations to satisfy the needs of different categories of customers. I am glad that the efficiency level is 82 percent. You can use different materials as fuel, including firewood and briquettes. Users fell in love with this model due to the fact that it combines ease of combustion control, as well as build quality, which can be understood even by its stylish design. There should be no problems with cleaning the heat exchanger.

Pros:

• efficiency;
• stylish design;
• good assembly;
• comfortable control.

Minuses:

• low power.

Zota Bulat Turbo 20

Another reliable heating boiler for a private home, capable of operating up to 30 hours on one load. At the same time, the model of the Zota Bulat Turbo 20 series can operate on different fuels, including briquettes, firewood and even coal. Simple control of the model is carried out due to high-quality automation designed to control the circulation pump. The design includes a high-quality air blower, which also indicates high efficiency and long service life. It is also worth noting a good chimney combustion chamber, the diameter of which is 15 centimeters. The power of this equipment reaches 20,000 W, which is enough to service up to 160 square meters.

Pros:

• high power;
• the combustion chamber;
• for different fuels;
• burning duration.

Minuses:

• not found.

Teplodar Kupper MEGA 20

The best solid-state long-burning boiler of 2022 is the Teplodar Kupper MEGA 20 model, the burning time of which reaches 36 hours. The features of the equipment include ease of use: it is enough to remove the damper to switch the boiler from upper to lower combustion mode. The volume of the firebox reaches 80 liters, which is an excellent indicator. If necessary, you can purchase an additional heating element, a simple control panel and a draft regulator. The power of the solid fuel boiler is enough to service up to 160 square meters with an equipment power of 20,000 W. The diameter of the chimney pipe is 150 millimeters.

Pros:

• firebox volume;
• build quality;
• burning time from one filling;
• quality of construction;
• manufacturer experience.

Minuses:

• No.

Calculation of wood boiler power

Important! Even the best long-burning boiler, despite its high efficiency, will not be able to properly heat a residential building if, when choosing it, the required power is incorrectly determined. With a ceiling height of no more than 2.7 m, since it is the volume of air that has to be heated, the power is calculated based on the dependence that 1 sq.m. is required for heating. it is necessary to expend 100 W of thermal energy.

The above calculation option allows you to calculate the power very approximately. To more accurately determine this value and adjust the corrections, the total heat losses of the building and the climatic characteristics of the region are taken into account.

How to choose a good solid fuel boiler for your home?

Actually, this list is unlikely to be enough to solve all sorts of questions from different users who visited our resource. Considering this and the fact that many potential buyers of heating equipment do not know how to choose a solid fuel boiler for their needs, we suggest you look at the aspects you should know:

1. Installation method . Based on the type of installation, such equipment is divided into wall-mounted and floor-standing boilers. The first ones need to be mounted on the wall (relevant if there is little space), while the second ones are easy to install, but take up more space. There are also parapet ones, but this installation is applicable exclusively to gas models.
2. Heating area . This is a key characteristic that can always be found in the description. But it should be understood that the designation of a particular model does not indicate that the indicated value is applicable to certain climatic conditions, which must be clarified with the manufacturer, speaking about specific operating conditions.
3. Fuel bunker . Solid fuel boilers cannot do without such a design unit. We are essentially talking about a large container, the size of which determines how large the firewood can be placed inside. It is worth adding that modern models often support setting a number of parameters, including a full daily operating cycle. It is also possible to install automation in the bunker, which provides for minimal control by the user.
4. The combustion chamber . If you don’t know the difference between boilers with open and closed combustion chambers, try to pay more attention to this issue. We will only reveal the key features. Open or chimney boilers require the absorption of air from the room to operate. The combustion products are discharged outside through the chimney. This argues for an affordable price, but also certain difficulties. For example, you need to make sure there is good ventilation in advance. It is advisable to think about having a humidifier to restore a favorable climate in the house. Closed or turbocharged models are completely isolated from the internal space, so they use air from outside.
5. Protection systems . Modern equipment has many sensors and technologies that argue for a high level of safety, and their presence cannot be ignored. It is important that the equipment maintains a protection system against water overheating and fire extinguishing. When choosing a boiler with an open chamber, it is worth paying attention to the presence of draft protection to ensure constant control over the proper quality of exhaust of combustion products to the street. If the equipment operates on the basis of electricity (controlled), then it is advisable to ensure that there is protection against power failure. Otherwise, the equipment may break due to power surges.

Features of heating with wood

The best wood-burning boilers for heating a private home have a number of advantages common to all models of equipment of this type:

• If we talk about standard units that burn wood, they are characterized by a relatively low cost. Long-burning solid fuel boilers will be more expensive, but they also have a number of unique advantages that offset the purchase costs.
• Energy independence. Most models will continue to heat rooms even after a power outage. Only a few automation systems will cease to function, which can be fully replaced by humans.
• Easy to install and operate. In addition, a wood-burning boiler that provides water heating for a private home is easy to maintain.
• Environmentally friendly use. Wood is a natural material, and the smoke generated during its combustion does not contain toxic substances and compounds, with the exception of carbon dioxide. However, the latter is harmful to the human body if all safety measures are completely ignored.

It should immediately be noted that any flammable household waste, but only solid type, can be loaded into a wood-burning boiler for heating a house:

• Massiveness . Cast iron and steel are used in production, which, in fact, causes the increased weight of the equipment.
• Fuel consumption . Wood is not the most efficient energy carrier, since the combustion process releases a relatively small amount of heat.
• The need for work control . Firewood burns out quickly, so it is necessary to constantly monitor its availability, adding a new portion once every 2 to 4 hours.
• Uneven heating of the thermal energy carrier.

You should also understand that for solid fuel boilers you will need to organize the storage of firewood (in this case), and, of course, its procurement. By the way, for storage it is not only necessary to allocate enough space, but also to create the right conditions, for example, low humidity levels.

Which solid fuel boiler is best to buy in 2022?

The range of top heating equipment manufacturers includes many models with open and closed combustion chambers, operating on different principles (pyrolysis, long-term combustion, classic) with one or two heat exchangers. In general, without a responsible approach to studying this issue, it is difficult not only to choose, but also to understand which model is needed at all. If you understand these questions, analyze the market. We hope we have at least partially helped you decide which solid fuel boiler to buy. Finally, let’s summarize our personal opinion:

1. The best single-circuit solid fuel boiler is Vesuvius Elbrus-10;
2. A good double-circuit boiler is Karakan 16TPEV3;
3. Stylish and powerful boiler – Heiztechnik Q HIT 11;
4. The best solid fuel long-burning model is NMK Magnum KDG 15 TE.

Share your opinions and recommendations for other readers.

No. 9. "Lemax Forward-20"

Another single-circuit solid fuel heating boiler with floor-mounted installation and top loading. Forward-20 is non-volatile and mechanically controlled, but has several important differences.

"Lemax Forward-20"

pros

1. The steel combustion chamber looks strict and stylish thanks to the combination of black and gray colors.
2. A 4 mm thick cast heat exchanger made of boiler steel is connected to the walls of the water jacket with metal channels to increase the strength of the structure.
3. The walls of the heat exchanger are protected from corrosion by a special inhibitory coating.
4. Cast iron grates are strong and very durable.
5. You can connect a manual draft regulator.
6. Easy maintenance, cleaning through the grate.
7. Quiet operation.
8. Affordable price.
9. 3 year warranty.

Minuses

1. Smoke in the room when the fire door is opened.
2. The need to use protective gloves when opening a very hot boiler door.
3. There is no pressure gauge or heating element. You can connect a circulation pump, but then the heating system will become energy-dependent.
4. Antifreeze is not recommended.
5. It is prohibited to burn household waste, pellets, flammable liquids, including waste oil.
6. The need for frequent refilling of fuel.

Characteristics

Technical specifications

Fuel combustion time:

• coal 4.5 hours
• wood 7 hours

The maximum log length is 58 cm.

The Russian-made solid fuel boiler “Forward-20” is suitable for heating premises with a total area of ​​no more than 200 square meters. These can be residential cottages, country houses, public buildings, warehouses, etc.

Prices for solid fuel boiler "Lemax Forward-20"

"Lemax Forward-20"

No. 5. "Siberia-Gefest KVO 20 TE"

A non-volatile boiler from the Novosibirsk Metalworking Company (NMK) for country houses and cottages with an area of ​​up to two hundred square meters. Works on briquettes, firewood and coal (convenient top filling through a cone).

"Siberia-Gefest KVO 20 TE"

pros

1. Stylish design.
2. Economical.
3. The protective polymer coating is resistant to mechanical stress and prevents corrosion.
4. Compatible with all possible chimneys.
5. Convenient loading of coal from above.
6. Spacious combustion chamber, you can load logs up to 60 cm long.
7. The presence of a bimetallic thermometer built into the housing.
8. Possibility of installing a 4 kW 220 V heating element with a built-in thermostat.
9. Durable cast iron grate.
10. Screw and poker included.
11. 3 year warranty.
12. It is possible to use a non-freezing coolant that does not contain ethylene glycol.
13. The boiler can be installed on a wooden floor with a heat-resistant brick base.

Minuses

1. It is recommended to trust installation, adjustment, and maintenance of the boiler and electrical equipment only to licensed specialists.
2. A safety valve (0.25 MPa) is required for the riser of a closed heating system.
3. The temperature regime of the circulating water must be observed, otherwise the boiler may boil or excessive soot will settle on the surfaces of the combustion chamber.
4. The water hardness for the heating system should not exceed 0.7 mEq/kg.
5. It is not recommended to open and close the loading hatch without protective gloves.
6. It is advisable to remove ash from the box several times a day.
7. The heating element unit is not covered by the warranty.

Cleaning the boiler and chimney when using coke or anthracite once a month. When using coal - once a week.

Prices for the NMK Sibir-Gefest KVO 20 TE boiler

NMK "Sibir-Gefest KVO 20 TE"

Characteristics

Technical specifications

No. 4. Viadrus Hercules U22 D-4

A classic single-circuit four-section combination boiler with a cast iron heat exchanger. The steel shell of the boiler is protected with comaxit paint. The fuel used is regular firewood, wood/charcoal briquettes and coal, anthracite, as well as pellets, shavings and chips, pellets, waste oil and natural gas. Fuel loading is frontal; logs with a diameter of up to 22 cm pass through the large door.

Hercules U22 D-4

pros

1. The set includes a double thermomanometer device.
2. It is allowed to burn wet wood (up to 25%).
3. Availability of water-cooled grate.
4. Durable heat exchanger made of Czech gray cast iron.
5. Low requirements for smoke draft.
6. Easy to use.
7. Warranty 24 months from the date of commissioning.

Minuses

1. Cooling circuit, two-way safety and safety valves, thermostatic valve, burner are not included in the delivery set.
2. Noise level up to 65 dB.
3. Loading short logs - no more than 27 cm long.

Characteristics

Technical specifications

Fuel consumption

Prices for combination boiler Viadrus Hercules U22 D-4 23.3 kW

Combination boiler Viadrus Hercules U22 D-4 23.3 kW single-circuit