27 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. 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 Bosch trained, MESys 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.

What maintenance will my Bosch/MESys system require?

Your system will require annual cleaning and maintenance from your heating contractor.  You will need to empty the ash bin, two to three times a year depending upon pellet volume burned.  This is an easy task and the ash is a good fertilizer for your garden/lawn.

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

We have a large shipment of boilers and other equipment in our warehouse; large, immediate demand has put us out of burners until the first week in October.  At that time, burners and boilers will be readily available in large quantities. Boiler and bin installations can begin now (September) and installation of burners can resume in very early October.


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

Over 125 heating contractors have been trained and certified for regions throughout the State of Maine. 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.

Does the boiler heat domestic hot water as well?

Yes, you can include a 32 gallon indirect hot water tank with the 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?

There is only one system currently in the US; it is installed in Les Otten's home. It is available for viewing, and Les would be happy to discuss it with you...he's enjoying long showers. The first shipment of boilers is expected in late June for installation to begin in July.

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 will be delivered in bulk, not in bags, and will be fed directly into the burner under the computer direction of the system. You won’t have to touch the pellets.

Pellets are home delivery are now available.

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

You can buy them whereever you like. MESys will be doing 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.

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.

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 will initially be installing units only within 25 miles of our distribution centers. Between now and the heating season, fuel distribution centers are being established in the Bethel/Rumford,/Norway/South Paris area, the Lewiston/Auburn area, greater Portland, greater Bangor, and the Camden/Rockport/Rockland area. As more units are installed, we’ll be extending the geographic region for installation beyond these regions and into other New England states.