Wanting to install a Coal Stoker Furnace.......need advice

Hi Guys,
I have a home that is set up for a forced air heating system. I am planning on putting in a coal furnace. I need some questions answered to help me get this done.

What do you guys recommend for a coal furnace? I have a 2400 sqft home and live in Montana where it gets -30 in the winter.

Do they make forced air coal furnaces anymore? Or do I have to put in a coal boiler? If so how does it connect to my duct work?

I need some ideas on a hopper?

Thanks and any information or guidance is well appreciated.
Bob (rjbeery@hotmail.com)

Bob,

First, do you have a good local supplier for coal? and what type of coal?

If you have an existing forced air unit, the boiler with a heat exchanger in your duct work may be the best option.

But find out on the coal first. There are folks here that use Bituminous in boilers that could be able to help you out.

BK

you'll have to use either subbituminous PRB coal or lignite, either one is a fine choice provided you have the right equiptment to burn it. there are a few very small manufacturors of indoor stoker furnaces/boilers in that area, i will see if i can find them and post links for you.

I would go with a boiler if you have forced air. The main reason being that all it would require is a water to air heat exchanger right above your air handlers blower and one more thrmostat. This is the set up I have using bituminous coal. I have the boiler out in my garage which also keeps all the mess outside the house.
Then you could keep the current heat you have now as a backup.

Give Michael a call at Pease Feed and Coal (http://www.peasefeedandcoal.com) 307-754-3757. They deal in coal stoker furnaces and boilers out in your neck of the woods that burn the local stuff you have.

Chris

The boiler makes the most sense, and you get the domestic hot water bonus.

Besides heat a boiler will give you domestic hot water. If you install your coal boiler outside your home do NOT buy a unit with a domestic hot water coil in it. You want what's called an "indirect fire" hot water heater in your home. It has the boiler water to potable water heat exchanger in it.

When you find out what stoves, boilers and furnaces are available to burn your local coal, please let us know, take photos etc.

There are several forum members who live in the midwest wanting to burn the local Bituminous coal. There are very few options available to burn Bituminous coal, and no stoker units in current production for home heating.

Please share what you find out.

Greg L

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What I've found out is that we have Bituminous stoker coal in this area. Most of it comes from Wyoming (which is a harder coal) and North Dakota which is a (softer coal).

The stoker coal comes in small golf ball sized pieces and is coated with diesel fuel.

So the next question is, If I go with a Boiler can you guys give me some names of some boiler manufacturers and contact information?

Thanks Bob

Hello rjberry, If you want a hand feed boiler AHS and Harman both make a good hand load boiler that would burn Bituminous coal. You would have to learn the burning characteristics of the local coal, but it would burn it.

But there are no stoker boilers, furnaces or stoves made in the east to burn bituminous coal, They all burn Anthracite coal. this is because anthracite coal is so clean burning and consistant in burn characteristics that a stoker can be made to burn it.

Bituminous coal is quite inconsistant in how it burns, and is often very sooty, dirty, and can clog a stoker mechanism and the heat exchanger in the boiler with soot. So knowing the burn characteristics of your local coal is very important.

I'd give a call to Pease Feed and Coal that Chris a few messages above suggested. They are a local company to you that apparently sells a stoker boiler and furnace to burn your local bituminous coal.

Let us know what you find out from Pease.

Greg L

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