Shopping for Wood/Coal Furnace

[HillStreet]

UPDATE FROM OP: I looked at quite a few stoves yesterday and really see a lot of types. I do like the Pacific Energy Summit model as it seems to burn pretty clean and have a good fire box, not bad at all.

Then I looked at an Energy King furnace that can burn both wood and coal. The changeover between fuels requires a shutdown and grate switch ($300 about) but otherwise looks OK. This offers possibility to burn coal or wood depending on temperatures.

Next I learned of a DS Metal stove that is manufactured by Amish craftsmen in Pennsylvania. I spoke with a guy on the phone that was very knowledgeable and helpful. He is sending me some brochures and info. By the way, their furnace line has an efficiency rating of 85.1%, excellent for a wood stove. These stoves are the Kozy King, Energy Max, and HeatRite, among others.

Now remember, I do not want fancy because it is in the basement. It occurs to me that as long as I am rigging for a new stove, I do want it to be large enough for the house and basement, and I do want to filter the system. Might just as well eliminate the propane company as much as possible.

 

[HillStreet]

Dave,

Today I went to the hardware store and bought a filter and some metal lath to make such a filter in the hood. I'll work on it during the blizzard that comes in tomorrow.

 

[HillStreet]

Comparing coal and wood is like comparing apples and oranges . They burn completely different as wood likes it's air on top and coal needs air from the bottom only . In order to design a stove to burn both compromises must be made , resulting in a less efficient stove or furnace . It is best to find a unit that is designed to burn the fuel you want to use . I used a wood and coal boiler for many years and now have a coal boiler that is hands down more efficient and easier operate . It can operate for 24 hrs. with about 15 minutes of my labor once per day , which includes filling hopper and dumping ashes . Mine is a leisure line boiler, but they make furnaces , and stoves also, as do other companies . You may want to check them out as you may find something that will work well for you, and yes filters will help a great deal as mentioned above .

Thanks HEC,

I priced coal at the hardware store yesterday and it is $399 per ton for anthracite nut coal. The store says that it will be readily available in the future. The DS stove and furnaces are reportedly good at burning both fuels very well but I have not seen one other than on the web.

So, you burn coal exclusively, and it seems to work for you. Tell me, what size are you heating, and how much coal are you using? I thought with both fuels I might be able to switch over to meet low and high demands.

 

[HillStreet]

Look on Craiglist in Pittsburg Penn. there is a wood/coal furnace for sale or there was.

Thanks, I went to CL and saw many for sale. Lots of old stuff used but a few new too.

 

[HillStreet]

You might also take a look at the Max Caddy or Caddy. In addition to wood they have gas, electric and oil options. It also has a water heating option. The Max Caddy has a multiple speed fan which helps efficiency and maintaining temperature in a narrower range.

I have an old RSF wood furnace and am considering a Max Caddy because it will likely use 1/3 less wood.

Ours is a wood/electric forced air furnace . We much much prefer to wood because of the more constant heat (as opposed to the on/off of the electric). We only use the electric very occasionally to take the chill off in early autumn or late spring.

Yeah, sure enough saving wood, or any fuel, is key as long as you get an efficient burn that heats the house. I will look into a caddy.

 

[HillStreet]

Harman is a recognized leader in lump coal and stoker coal furnaces and stoves.
In fact they make a PC-45 stove that will burn grain, wood pellets and unofficially stoker coal.

Hmmm, did not know Harman made coal stoves. I know they are pricy, or that is my impression anyway. May go to a local guy tomorrow morning before the snow starts.

 

[HillStreet]

I'm using a CharMaster Chalet. It is actually too small for our house (very high-ceilinged great room), but keeps up pretty well in spite of that. I have it ducted in with our heat pump system.

- Jay

Thanks Jay,

I will google that stove but never heard the name before. Ga and TN is much warmer than Maine-- getting down to -14F tonight and expect wind tomorrow to 70 reportedly.

 

[HillStreet]

Road hunter,

That is an impressive stove, will look at it closer.

 

[BAP]

You can put in a boiler for your radiant heat. When radiant heat is set up to be fed by a boiler, all they do is use a temp control valve and a separate circulator pump for the radiant tubing. I have part of my house on baseboard and the newer part is radiant and they set it up to feed from the boiler. If you use a boiler, you get rid of a lot of the dust circulating in the house. Better yet, put in an outside boiler and get rid of all the dust and smoke in the house.

 

[Rustyiron]

I have been researching wood/coal furnaces on line, now going shopping for one. My present wood stove is not keeping up. House is 1500 feet, one story with full basement. The basement floor is insulated because of the radiant tubing fed by the propane boiler.
I have a hood over the stove with an 8 inch duct up to the center of the house with an in-line fan in the duct. Issues are DUST everywhere (very fine dust that collects on flat surfaces but concerned it will stain walls eventually). Also, I have to burn hot because it leaves large clinkers if I don't. I did replace the OEM baffles year but that did not help. It is a Summers Heat stove from Lowes, rated for 2000 feet.
Anyway, I was wondering what your experience is with wood/coal stoves. I will not buy a hot water boiler because I am limited to 120 degrees F on the water for the tubing. Thanks

If I were to quit firewood and switch to coal, this is what I'd get; Energy Efficient Coal Stoker Boiler
As for your concerns about 120* water temp limit, I've never seen a radiant system that used water above that temp. My radiant system was designed for 112 deg water. It is mixed down to that temp with a simple mixing valve that tempers the 200* water from my wood boiler with (cold) water that is returning from the radiant.