Running on Empty...Coal

Well, getting that time of the year, I am almost out of coal, not bad, 4.66 tons since Oct. 15. I went and got 25 bags and see how long it will last. Maybe have to get some more before April 1.

I am down to a bag or less a day, as long as the temps are above 30 degrees and the sun is out. Supposed to up into the 40's by the end of the week.

I was out in Jan. Last year and went and got 2 more pallets (2 x 1.2 ton) after that, and went thru 6.6 tons.

Not far behind you. Guessing have about 400lbs left out of ~2tons, and really just idling the boiler in this weather.

Added a lot of insulation last fall - sunny day, quiet winds, temps hovering in the 30's = almost no call for heat.

I have close to 2 tons left. the coal trol saved me tons this year. bought 5.5 only source of heat for 2200 sf plus basement

WNY,
Sounds like you go through a lot of coal. How many sq.ft. do you heat?
I filled my coal bin to its capacity of 5 tons this past summer. That should do me for two hard winters. With the mild winter we have had, I have used 1.7 tons so far and will probably end up using just about 2 tons total by the end of the heating season (late March to early April). I heat about 1200 sq. ft. A little more than half of that is living space kept warm, the rest is upstairs kept quite cool for sleeping. I started burning coal in very early October this year when we had a cold snap. That is a month earlier than I started last heating season.

I pay $250 per ton delivered. That is $220. for coal and $30. for delivery, because I am 70 miles away from my coal dealer. Total coal bill for the year therefore is $500. I also burn a little keros. for early fall and late and spring heat, for maybe another $100.00 or so. Total annual heating bill is $600. to $650. per year, and that is at a comfortable level.

The heating fuel calculator indicates that burning wood should be cheaper. However for years that I had to pay for my wood, I was spending very nearly the same for heat. My coal stove must be more efficient than the wood stove was. I also no longer have to wake up to a cold house in the morning. Gotta love that coal

Actually down a bit from last year.

Its a 2500sq. ft old 1890 Victorian. The LL HYfire stove is in the basement, with my own custom heat jacket, it does a good job for the first floor, The keystoker is in the attached garage piped to the 2nd floor. That is why I am going to a boiler for next season to get more even heat throughout. I have done everything I can to harness the heat, the house is insulated, changed out 23 windows to double pane (low E/Argon), weatherstripping, etc...So, it just the nature of the old house.

But we are comfortable (68-70) and I burn about a ton a month (approx.) $230/ton, that is Way cheaper than nat. gas.!! It would be around $350-500/month with the old convection (60-70's) furnace. PLus they had 2 other floor smaller furnaces (30K each) I removed.

THanks.

I too am running on empty... or I would be but after I did my inventory in late Jan I went and got another 25 bags for just in case. At that time I had 20 bags left of my original purchase of 125 (2.5T) bags left but 30 or so heating days to go and March is typically our coldest month. I sure didn't want to have to be dealing with getting coal in the middle of a cold spell or Northeaster as my closest dealer is 70 miles. I figure if I don't use it, it’s not going anywhere and the worst thing that could happen is that in a couple of years I may get diamonds out of it. When all is said and done I'll have ended up burning more coal over last year because I started a month earlier and will probably burn a month later. The extended burn time is thanks to Forum for teaching me how to idle the stove more efficiently. All and all it’s been a good heating season so far. Thanks Forum. Lisa

10 more bags on Wed. I shut the one burner off in the Hyfire.....about 1 bag every couple days!! ALmost there. Trying to make until April.

3 ton nut,heating about 2000 sq. 200 yr old farm house--back sect closed off--We went & got 8 40 lb bags of blaschak,may or may not use it all--this little cold snap is interesting--mid 40's today low teens tonight--crap,this is like living in NY--if you're not happy w/ the weather,stick around for a couple hours,it will change--I've got some real P.O'd robins down by the barn

I'm about a ton & a 1/4 ahead of last year..........

I'm out , going to run the oil till warms up. We had couple inches last night.

Im down to about a ton of coal right now ... although tomorrow im picking up a ton and a half of pea coal I found on craigslist for cheap :punk:

Got a little over 3.5 ton in the bin now. I usually order up 4 ton after I get my fed. tax return and that will last until tax time next season. Can't say as i'm happy with the load I got this time. Seems to be larger and a ton of fines. Just have to deal with it I guess.

Still have two feet of coal in the bin about 4 tons and and a ton of bagged.
I burned less than 8 ton this year it has been a mild winter.
Heating 5000 sf
BDD

I'm just back from collecting 5 tons of Pa's finest. Looks like I'm almost set for the next year. And 6 % ash also. Also picked up a boiler. Sometimes the coal gods smile

Ahhh....the coal man commeth today! 4.66 ton in about 40 mins into my new bin, just the perfect size and easier to fill!
Will tune up the keystoker this weekend and light it up!!!