Heating Help

Freewatt questions

I posted this in the "Defective Generator" thread but, in case it gets lost there, decided to start a new dedicated thread so anyone with Freewatt experience will see it.  The Freewatt hydronic package looks attractive. However, there are some aspects that bear further inquiry:

* What mod/con is it, which HX is used and how has overall reliability/performance been?  How compatible is it with various pumping/control strategies?

* A "typical" engine run time is stated as 4,000 hours
per year.  What time-between-overhaul has the single-cylinder Honda
engine been exhibiting?  What's the overhaul cost when required?

* There doesn't seem to be a combustion air input pipe
for the Honda engine.  That implies it runs off room air.  If one must
degrade a home's thermal envelope to provide ambient air communication
with the outdoors for a basement / mechanical room, what's the point of
the sealed combustion mod/con or trying to squeeze out every bit of
efficiency using this system?

Interesting concept, but I wonder whether it's cost-effective when all
these factors are considered.  Any Wallies have experience with Freewatt
and able to answer the questions?  Thanks in advance.








Reply
Edit

for the numbers

to work out I think you would need a constant use for the thermal energy it produces. Yes you may have a DHW load year around, but not enough heat load, to use the thermal energy produced causes the numbers to slip.

I don't know about noise, longevity of "combustion" air. I don't hear or see a lot of these running in actual conditions? Looks like the list doesn't either.

hr