Massachusetts residents check in here!

Hello, I'm DeeDee in Fitchburg. I installed an efm DF520 that fired up on Jan. 10, 2009. The boiler also supplies hot water to a forced air furnace (that was converted from forced hot air) and my DHW. I own a 3700 sq. foot Victorian heat hog and have been there for 7 years now. When I moved in, oil was $1.12 a gallon and I used between 2000-2500 gallons a winter (yup, need to scrape together the money to insulate the exterior walls), so when oil jumped, I researched alternatives, too, and chose coal. Between Jan. 10 and Nov. 30 2009, I used 15 ton. I had estimated that heat alone would be the equivalent of 12 ton a year, so with DHW on top of that, 15-16 ton makes sense. Yes, it's more work for me, and hauling 15 ton of bagged rice into my basement is a serious chore, but I am not getting gouged on oil prices now and Unitil no longer gets money from me for using natural gas (bonus!). This year, I switched to burning Blaschak so that I could save time NOT screening each bag of coal and I'm happy with that so far, but I think I need to adjust my feed/air rate because I am seeing more unburnt coal now. Hopefully, if I can save money on heating the house, I'll have the money to improve its insulation. I'm pleased that this forum was started for MA residents - it's good to know I have neighbors!

Hello all you guys burning coal her in Mass..
My name is Bob and I come from Rehoboth. Been burning coal in a used Tarm boiler that I bought used in 2008.. It burns nut coal and I have used no oil this year and so far I have burned 2.5 tons of coal.. I think it is great to be using good old American coal and not sending my hard earned dollars out of the country.! Get my coal from Eastern Ice Co. This year I paid $290.00 a ton delivered.. They have two stores, one in Fall River and the other in Brockton.. Would be good to get together and get some kind of brake on the coal though.!!

I guess I've been absent from the forum for a while, annother Ray from central Ma (Oakham) I split the trailer with Mr Precision, well actually he was kind enough to let me buy in since he did all the work even arranged for a forklift which made loading real easy. Small world but he lives about 20 miles away but less than a mile from my folks. This is my second season, got an Alaska handfired last October. If it wasn't for this forum I would still be trying to ligh my first batch!
Wen't through a bit more coal this winter than I calculated, about 4T of nut and just switched back to pea for the spring. After burning 800-900 gallons of fuel oil every winter only did a partial fill of 150g and still hae 1/2 tank left. Added benifit= set up clothesline in the basement so very seldom run the dryer anymore, the cost of running the 6 fans is still a savings from the cost of running the dryer.

Congratulations Steve on being the state moderator, they picked a great guy!

Ray

[quote="mr1precision"]
If your from Mass please check in tell us about yourself, what part of Mass your from, what kind of stove you have, what size you burn, hobbies and expertise you might have. There are not many people from Ma that heat with Anthracite so we need to stick together and help each other out. If we can establish a list here it will make it easier to find members to ask for advice or locate someone that wants to split a load of coal.

Gerry here in Bellingham, MA. LL Pioneer on it's 2nd year. Love it.

I'm a Electrical Engineer (Consultant/Manger) on long term (permanent) disability. My hobby include Computers, Gardening (including indoor), Bonsai, Photography and many others. Far more than my body (or anybody's would allow)

Despite being unable to feel my right side and some right side motor control issues (severe stroke from a birth defect many years ago) I installed a Stainless Chimney up the side of the house (with required roof clearance), cut through the basement wall, installed a ceramic pad for the stove, moved the stove from outside up to the main floor, down to the basement family room and did the complete install. My town inspector was happy anyway.

My big issue is coal suppliers. I've been using 40lb bags (bought three pallets this year). To my surprise, I just opened the last pallet a few couple weeks ago and it was 50lb bags. Sounds like no big deal but the 40lb bags (Reading) had a handy carry handle. The 50lb bags do not and the slippery plastic is harder to handle than the bags with a carry handle.

I've been torn about bulk rice coal. Is it worth building a shed that can hold 4 or so tons with easy access. Also, there is only one supplier of bulk that services my area, out of North Providence, RI. About $45 cheaper per ton. A coal storage shed would cost enough to take a long time to pay for itself! The 40lb bags are just so easy to handle as well.

If I lived in Eastern PA like my son, it would be a no brainer, bulk rice coal is $200+ cheaper per ton than here in Eastern MA!

My major coal stove issue now if figuring out how to duct air from the family room down a 72' ranch. I just don't have the head room for decent ducts (soil plumbing in the way) thus must use a small diameter high velocity ducts. So far I haven't found a proper fan as a main duct blower, just "booster fans". My local inspector insists of fire dampers at any floor penetration even though my furnace hot air system doesn't require such and ducts run such that they connect conditioned space in basement and main floor! But without the inspector's blessings, my fire insurance burns up with the house.

I was pretty active in the "generator" discussions, my EE background helped me a lot there.

gerry

Welcome Gerry! You came to the right place.

Gerry what are you paying per ton baggedfor rice

Paying $360/ton 40lb bags with handles.

Hi Gerry -

Have you tried running the distribution fan on your furnace to circulate the heated air from your family room?

If you can find a few people to split a truckload, you should be able to do better on $/ton. I'm a little closer to PA, but the bulk truckload I got last fall was under $165/ton delivered. For storing/handling bulk coal I have found agricultural gravity wagons to be handy.

Mike

Pacowy wrote:Hi Gerry -

Have you tried running the distribution fan on your furnace to circulate the heated air from your family room?

If you can find a few people to split a truckload, you should be able to do better on $/ton. I'm a little closer to PA, but the bulk truckload I got last fall was under $165/ton delivered. For storing/handling bulk coal I have found agricultural gravity wagons to be handy.

Mike

Hi Mike,

Yes, coal is MUCH cheaper the less distance is trucked. My son in Eastern PA can get it for $105/ton. I've searched bulk delivery prices in my area and can find it $60/ton less than bagged. That would take years to offset the costs of a storage shed. I also have a problem with a delivery truck hitting overhead wires crossing the driveway when dumping.

re circulating air, is far too much heat loss in the main distribution and the return air on my main furnace is picked up at floor level, the coolest air in the house!

A separate distribution system is needed to just two rooms at the far end of the house. I can pick up warm air via grills in the suspended ceiling in the family room (warmest air). However, the only place to run ducts has major interference issues with soil plumbing, thus it must have a small diameter. Finding a high velocity fan capable of being the primary air mover seems my only problem.

gerry

HI STEVE, MY NAME IS DAVE
I USE 3 TONS PER YEAR NUT SIZE ANTHRACITE SOME YEARS 4 TONS
I AM LOOKING FOR A DELEVERY IN HOPKINTON MA FOR 3 TONS IN AUGUST 2010
MY PRESENT DEALER HAS A MIX OF NUT AND STOVE COAL NOT SO GOOD IN MY NEW STOVE.
DO YOU HAVE A DEALER NAME AND NUMBER ???

MY DEALER IS MiD WAY COAL.
THANKS
kavika@comcast.net

These guys http://www.robbinsgarden.com/rgc.html are ok for smaller deliveries. I might be pulling the trigger on another truckload 22.5 tons this spring (kimmels). Ive had good luck burning it I just dont like the woven plastic bags that it comes in but I took care of that problem. Let me know if you are interested in buying some in this next load. Last year we paid $245 for 1.25tons delivered to my place.
PS i dont get a dime for it but you do have to get it home from my house. No rush though...
Thanks,
Steve

I am not sure if this is still active site for stove people.
I own a retail stove shop in Mansfield Ma. We sell the Harman brand. I have alot of good knowledge on the coal, pellet and wood stove the manufacture. I would love to talk about anything with stoves. Please send me any questions you may have. We also sell anthracite coal by the bag if anyone needs some.

kirley wrote:I am not sure if this is still active site for stove people.
I own a retail stove shop in Mansfield Ma. We sell the Harman brand. I have alot of good knowledge on the coal, pellet and wood stove the manufacture. I would love to talk about anything with stoves. Please send me any questions you may have. We also sell anthracite coal by the bag if anyone needs some.

I know there are folks that live down towards the Cape that burn coal. What brand do you carry?

John here in danvers,ma
I got my feet wet with a penn coal stove earlier this year - amazed by the heat output compared to wood.
I have nearly 5 cords I split this year for the wood stove in the sunroom/dining room and I've been installing a selkirk class a stack for the basement where I will hook up the 'other' coal stove I picked up earlier this year - a Chubby Sr.
Nearest coal to me is a nursery just a few miles away - at $325/ton bagged - wish it was cheaper. And for that price I have to pick up as delivery is extra.

jjs777_fzr wrote:John here in danvers,ma
I got my feet wet with a penn coal stove earlier this year - amazed by the heat output compared to wood.
I have nearly 5 cords I split this year for the wood stove in the sunroom/dining room and I've been installing a selkirk class a stack for the basement where I will hook up the 'other' coal stove I picked up earlier this year - a Chubby Sr.
Nearest coal to me is a nursery just a few miles away - at $325/ton bagged - wish it was cheaper. And for that price I have to pick up as delivery is extra.

Welcome john!
Maybe some day you'll split a load of coal (22.5 tons) with someone near you or better yet buy a load of bulk.
You'll really be saving then!
Keep in touch,
Steve