35 Frequently Asked Questions

The Boiler/Burner

Is the Bosch/MESys unit a new design?

Well, yes, in some ways. The MESys/Bosch product uses a tried and true Bosch boiler that’s been used for years in residences in Europe and the United States. It has received a state-of-the-art pellet burner made by Janfire AB of Sweden. The boiler/burner combination match well and have been extensively tested in Sweden and Germany. In fact, two residential sized Bosch/MESys boilers effectively heated a 2300 square meter manufacturing facility in Amal, Sweden, from November 2007, to April 2008.

How long should I expect a Bosch/MESys system to last?

The warranty for this product is five years for the boiler and two years for the burner, however, you should expect the boiler to last indefinitely, it is a carefully crafted German product known for its durability. You should also expect the burner to last for many years with ordinary annual servicing. It is robustly constructed and has few wear parts. The burner has an electric starter element and a fire sensor that should be replaced on a two year cycle with regular maintenance.

Who will install and maintain my Bosch/MESys system?

Your system will be installed by a MESys trained and certified, plumbing and heating contractor from your region. That contractor will also service and maintain your system.  A number of such installers are listed under <Certified Contractors> on our website. MESys has trained over 150 contractors from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Northwest Territory, Canada.

What maintenance will my Bosch/MESys system require?

Your system will require annual cleaning and maintenance from your heating contractor and/or you.  You will need to empty the ash bin, at intervals determined by the characteristics and volume of the pellets burned; with high quality premium pellets uncontaminated with non-combustible inorganics like silica, you should have to empty your ash bin once every two and a half to three tons of pellets burned.  This is an easy task and the ash is a good fertilizer for your garden/lawn. The core of the boiler should be brushed free of ash periodically; the frequency will depend upon the ash content of the pellets you burn.  MESys purchases only pellets which manufacturers' test show to have ash contents of 1%, or less to reduce the need for cleaning.

When do you hope to start installing systems in individual homes?

We are currently shipping 4- and 6-section boilers, burners, augers, and bin of both steel and fabric.  Contractors can purchase all necessary equipment from MESys now, October 2008.

 

When can I get an official estimate for a system in my home?

Over 150 heating contractors have been trained and certified for regions throughout the State of Maine and the Northeast. Those contractors have been given the contact information of people who have reserved systems.  If you've reserved a system and haven't heard from an installer, please contact Rhonda at 207.824.6749. Those who've made deposits on systems have received first attention.

If you are a new customer, we suggest you call one of the contractors on the <certified contractors> page to arrange for a site visit and estimate.

Does the boiler heat domestic hot water as well?

Yes, you can include an indirect hot water tank with the system. A 32-gallon tanks is customarily used with this system; it holds 180 degree water, which gives you ready access to plenty of domestic hot water. This very hot water is mixed with cold water to the desired temperature for distribution to domestic hot water supply points.

Is there a battery back-up available for use when the power goes out?

It would be a simple matter to keep the boiler going during a power outage with a simple back battery unit for a computer system, however, there would be no way to circulate that heated water to your house, as the pumps required for circulation require substantially more power than a simple back-up would provide.

Who will I call if I need repair or maintenance to my Bosch/MESys system?

The installing contractor will be your "go to" person for repair and maintenance needs, just as is the case with oil burners. Maine Energy Systems' technical support will stand behind your local contractor as the need arises, and Bosch will stand behind the MESys support staff. 

What are the technical specifications of the burner/boiler system?

Technical specifications for this system have been prepared in English by Bosch Thermotechnologies, North America. They are published on the website.

Is there anyone in Maine or New Hampshire who currently has one of your pellet heating systems that I can call for a reference?

Yes, there are a number of systems in active use in the Northeastern US and in Canada. Systems are available for viewing in the MESys Building at 8 Airport Road in Bethel, Maine, during normal business hours, and in private homes in the Bethel area by appointment.

Pellet Supply

How will I get pellets for my Bosch/MESys system?

Pellets are delivered pnuemetically by Maine Energy System to a storage bin at your home. That bin can be in the basement or outdoors, depending on your needs and preferences. The pellets are delivered in bulk, not in bags, and are fed directly into the burner under the  direction of the burner's microprocess control system. You won’t have to touch the pellets.

Pellets for home delivery are currently available.

Am I required to purchase pellets from MESys, or can I get pellets from other sources?

You can buy pellets whereever you like. MESys makes bulk deliveries, which you'll likely find useful. The JanfireNH burner on the Bosch/MESys system has computer controls which allow it to be set to give optimum efficiency based on the characteristics of the pellets being burned; so, you'll get the most efficiency from your system if you adjust your system to the characteristics of the pellets you choose.

It is recommended that you use premium pellets, and that you use a brand which has been tested with the Bosch equipment.  MESys, and its licensees, distribute such pellets.

How many pellets will I need?

Well, that depends upon a lot of things. Use the cost calculator's pellet/oil equivalents function to estimate the volume of pellets you'll need for your house based upon your current oil consumption patterns.

If you know how many gallons of oil you typically burn in a year, divide that number by 120, the approximate number of gallons with the same heat equivalence of a ton of pellets.  So, for example, a house that burns 960 gallons of oil a year, will consume roughly 8 tons of pellets year.

How much volume does a ton of pellets occupy?

At about 40 lbs/cubic foot, one ton of pellets occupies 50 cubic feet. A bin 4’ x 4’ x 6’ would hold nearly a ton. MESys will provide a 4 ton bin that is a 7’ cube and can arrange for large capacity outdoor storage if homeowners prefer. The “average” Maine house will use between 7 and 8 tons of pellets during the “average” Maine year

How far can the pellet storage location be from boiler?

There is no theoretical limit, it simply means more augers or longer augers. I've seen augers 3 meters long, and much longer ones are possible. Flexible augers are often used to get the pellets into the house from outdoor storage bins or silos.

We recently configured a 75' flexible auger in our warehouse and ran a boiler using pellets it delivered.  It worked fine for the weeks we had it installed.

How stable is the pellet supply?

We have pellet agreements with two different providers and tentative agreements with two others. One large pellet producer has asked to partner with us. There'll be plenty of pellets for our customers.

What do you expect pellets to cost this next heating season?

Bulk pellets delivered to your residence within 25 miles of our distribution sites will be available during the 2008-2009 heating season as listed below:

  • 2 - 2.9 tons, $275/ton
  • 3-4.9 tons, $260/ton
  • 5-8.9 tons, $250/ton
  • 9 tons and up $240/ton

(Prices subject to change without notice)

If we are asked to deliver pellets beyond that 25 mile radius, there will be a fuel surcharge/ton for that delivery.

Where do the pellet you're distributing come from?

We are going to distribute pellets made by Energex of Lac Megantic, Quebec, and pellets made by MaineWoods Pellets of Athens, Maine.  The Lac Megantic mill has been producing pellets for more than two decades from sawdust, and the Athens mill is a new state-of-the-art facility with a close relationship with a local feedstock provider. We are happy to be distributing pellets made by Maine pellet producers as well and are in conversations with other region pellet producers. We are intent on ensuring that pellet prices remain affordable, stable, and predictable.

We have off-take agreements with three other pellet mills as well, so our supply is plentiful.

Will my wet basement create a problem with my pellets?
Pellets must be kept dry.  If your basement is occasionally wet, ask the installer to insure careful sealing of the seams on the storage bin when it is installed, or install an outdoor silo for pellet storage.  If pellets become wet, they are ruined, and they can dry into a cement-like aggregate.

Chimney

Do I need a chimney flue to install a MESys system?

Ideally, yes, and that flue must be lined as it must be for any new boiler in Maine. It is possible to vent the MESys system with a power vent through the house wall, but a chimney is a better installation.

The MESys system can be vented separately into a common flue with an oil burner, but only one of the appliances can be physically vented into the chimney at any given moment, and the devices must have electrical and physical isolation devices in place.

I know my chimney doesn't have a tile or steel lining, will bank financing include lining the chimney as part of the purchase and installation of a MESys system?

Yes, the bank financing package will cover all costs associated with purchase and installation of the Bosch/MESys boiler system.

MESys region

In what geographic regions will Bosch/MESys units be available?

Since fuel distribution is the key to the success of this fuel transformation initiative, we prefer to install units near our distribution centers. However, lots of people have found the MESys systems desirable, so our distribution region now extends as far west and north was Yellowknife, Northwest Territory and as far south as Connecticut. 

It is critical that installations outside our geographic region be done by duly licensed heating contractors who have been to MESys training to become familiar with the installation and operation of the Janfire NH burner. It is also best if bulk delivery of pellets is available for those installations.