Is the AllGreen Reclaim really a boiler, meaning it boils water and works under pressure?
No. The Reclaim is a "hot water" boiler. It heats water to only 180? F., well below the boiling point, so no steam is produced. And depending how the boiler is installed, it works at no pressure (open system) or very low pressure (closed system). As a safety feature, each system has a relief valve that opens if the internal system pressure rises to 30 psi, which it won't do in normal operation. As a further precaution, each boiler is safety tested to an internal pressure 75 psi before it leaves the factory.
Is the Reclaim boiler ASME rated?
No. As a "hot water" boiler, the Reclaim does not produce steam or operate at high-pressure. Internal pressures stay well below the 30 psi threshold above which boilers become "pressure vessels" and must be certified to ASME standards. That said, the Reclaim boiler is designed to ASME standards, assembled by ASME qualified welders, and manufactured in plant certified to ISO 4001-2000. It meets TUV and all other European standards for hot water boilers.
Is AllGreen's Reclaim boiler an indoor or outdoor model?
AllGreen Reclaim pellet boilers are INDOOR appliances. They should be installed in your basement, furnace room, garage, or other protected location.
Do Reclaim boilers meet UL (Underwriter's Laboratory) and Canadian (CSA) safety standards?
Yes. OMNI-Test Laboratories has certified the Reclaim line meets ANSI/UL-391-1995 (U.S.) standards for solid-fuel and combination-fuel central and supplementary furnaces and CSA B366.1-M91 (Canada) standards for solid fuel-fired central heating appliances.
Before buying a boiler that claims this safety certification, be sure to ask the manufacturer for their test report number. AllGreen's report number from OMNI-Labs is ____________________
Does the Reclaim boiler meet EPA emission standards?
Yes. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency particulate emission guidelines do not apply to INDOOR pellet boilers, we have tested the Reclaim line to the same rigorous standards as Outdoor Wood Boilers. The Reclaim emissions fall substantially below those allowed in the guidelines and meet all current state regulations.
What are some of the ways I can use a Reclaim boiler?
The Reclaim boiler produces hot water for:
- hydronic radiant heating (in-floor or baseboard)
- forced air heating (using a water-to-air heat exchanger that fits into existing ductwork)
- domestic hot water (in conjunction with your existing water heater)
- heating a swimming pool or greenhouse
- melting snow on your walks and driveways.
What is the combustion efficiency?
While 100% combustion efficiency is impossible to achieve, the Reclaim boiler comes very close. Pellets are burned at temperatures approaching 2000º F, assuring maximum gasification of the fuel. There's little particulate matter left to create smoke, creosote or ash.
What is the thermal efficiency?
Reclaim is one of the most energy-efficient hydronic boilers on the market. It delivers 90+% of the energy contained in the fuel to the home heating system.
Can I heat more than one building with a single furnace?
Yes. A single Ancestry boiler can provide heat and hot water for multiple buildings using insulated pipes or PEX tubing home. It can also heat a greenhouse, barn, or swimming pool and even provide snow-melt for your walks and driveway. Keep in mind that each application adds to the demand on the furnace, so it is important to plan ahead and install a unit with sufficient capacity to handle the full load.
What size boiler do I need?
Correct sizing of the boiler is very important for efficient operation. An undersized unit will not keep up with the demand for heat on very cold days, and an oversized unit may not operate efficiently, possibly resulting in smoke or creosote. Many factors must be considered in determining the size of the boiler you need, including local winter temperatures, size and insulation rating of your home, additional applications or requirements for heat, and so on. Your installation contractor should conduct an energy study to determine the furnace output required to meet your heating needs.
Will AllGreen Technologies design my hydronic heating system?
AllGreen can provide you with information about hydronic heating and how to install our products, but we do not provide design services. We have dealers who are qualified to do this work and who are familiar with your local building codes and regulations. They can visit your home, physically inspect the site, and design a solution that exactly meets your needs. We will be happy to help you locate a dealer or contractor in your local area.
What fuel do you recommend?
Pellet mills produce two grades of fuel - Premium and Standard. The only different between the two is ash content. Standard grade fuel is usually up to 3 percent ash content, while premium grade is less than 1 percent. This difference is a result of the pellet contents. Standard pellets are derived from materials that produce more residual ash, such as tree bark or agricultural residues. Premium pellets are usually produced from hardwood or softwood sawdust containing no tree bark. Premium pellets make up 95 percent of current pellet product on the market and can be burned in all appliances. Standard pellets should only be burned in appliances designed to burn the higher ash content pellets.
Your Reclaim boiler can burn either premium or standard grade wood pellets.
The Reclaim series can also burn other types of fuel including ag-pellets, grass-pellets, corn, wheat, or coal. However, before using an alternative fuel, contact AllGreen to ensure it is compatible.
How long will a full load of pellets last?
The internal pellet storage bin on the Reclaim boiler can store up to 300 pounds of pellets. Under normal conditions, this is sufficient for about 3 days of operation. However, under severe cold conditions, the bin may require daily reloads. The best solution is an external pellet bin and augur that automatically refills the internal bin. An external bin holds up to 6000 pounds of pellets, enough for half a heating season.
Does the boiler have burn back protection to keep stored pellets from igniting?
Yes. The Reclaim boiler has 3 safety backup systems. First, a double step augur provides a physical separation between the burn box and the pellet storage bin. Second, during idle times the control system periodically activates the augur to push a small amount of pellets out of the augur into the burn box - this reduces the risk of a smolder burn back through the augur. Third, should a smolder burn occur, the control system will detect it and dump water into the augur to extinguish the burn.
What is the combustion chamber made of?
The burn box is made of cast iron which is guaranteed to last for many years.
How hot does the boiler get?
Firebox temperatures reach 2000º F during the combustion process, but thanks to our unique design, most outside surfaces are only warm to the touch. However, some boiler surfaces can get very hot so be sure to observe the warning labels on the boiler to avoid injury. The water temperature is approximately 180º F when it leaves the boiler and 140 º F on return. The exhaust temperature is approximately 350º F.
Can I vent the boiler through a side-wall?
No. Side-venting can lead to conditions that adversely affect the operation of the boiler. We recommend a properly-sized vertical flue at least 12 feet tall. Your installation contractor should check for local code requirements and carefully follow the instructions in the AllGreen Owner's Manual.
How big a chimney flue is required?
The Reclaim 100 requires a 6 inch flue. Larger boilers require an 8 inch flue as specified in the owner's manual.
Do I need a hot water storage tank?
A buffer storage tank is optional for the Reclaim boiler. However, many customers find that a storage tank improves system performance and assures availability of hot water. Your installer can advise you.
Do I need a back-up source of heat?
No, but if the Reclaim boiler is the only source of heat, we recommend an external pellet storage bin. That way, if you leave for more than a few days, the boiler will not run out of pellets in the internal storage bin.
What do I get when I buy a Reclaim boiler?
The Reclaim boiler is pre-wired (110v) and pre-plumbed for installation in an open or closed loop heating system. Your installer will provide other parts required to complete the installation including heat exchangers, chimney flue components, and electrical connections.
If I have a problem, how do I get technical support?
Your first point of contact for support is your installer. But if you need additional help, you can call AllGreen Technologies at (866) 602-5329.