Want to convert. I want to visit & need delivery in Norwalk

Hello Everyone,

I am looking to buy a 1400 - 1900 sq ft ranch, 3 br, 2bath, 2 car garage w/ or w/out basement in Norwalk CT.

I've had gas all my life, so comparing the price of oil (I'd say 70% of homes have oil, 30% have gas in town.) w/ Hearth.com's fuel calculator was a shock when I saw the price of oil.

If I end up with an oil heated home, I want to use an alternative stove as my primary heat and use the oil as a supplement. My options are Stoker Coal, Pellet, or Wood (w/ eco bricks or something similar, I don't have a lot of time to hunt for wood). My preference is for coal based off cost and ~possibly~ ease of use.

Anyway, I've read and watched a ton on the internet. Here are my problems:

- I can't find a local coal stove dealer.

- The only coal dealer I've found who will deliver this far south into CT is http://btpellet.com It makes me a little worried that this is the only coal dealer that can supply me if I go full in on this coal thing. I've called a lot of people on this list (http://www.fuelstart.com/06854-BiomassEnergyLog-prices-200-miles.aspx#) without much luck.

- I've never ~seen~ a coal stove in person let alone a hand fed. With no coal stove dealers local, it'd be great if someone was willing to let a stranger in their home to check out their setup and hear how loud a stoker is and how much of a problem ash is. :p

- I need to decide if a radiant stoker stove in a decently central located living room would suit my needs or I'd need a the stoker in the basement with venting to the 1st flr. (I don't want to put a stove in the basement and then require me going up/down stairs (bad knees), and then I have to worry about connecting the stoker to my central air vents.)

- I also keep hearing conflicting stories about ash dust everywhere, and it scares me to put a stove in my living room cause the Fiancee will kill me if it's dirty, let alone if the noise is too much for the stoker....this also plays into the equation of putting the stove in the living room or the basement.

- I think I'm more of a stoker guy for the crappy work hours I have and the fiancee wanting as little maintenance to keep the stove going as possible.....but efficiency-wise is a stoker more efficient? Even with electricity being used to feed coal into the stove and possibly the electricity to power a power vent (if that suits my new home well)? (I'm not as worried about power outages)

Thanks very much for the info in advance as well as the things I've read here in the past. Happy burning!

Have you talked to Blasklee? Middletown?

A landscaper with dump can pick up in New Britain house oil.

What about renting a uhaul? Or getting 22 ton right from nepa?

I haven't tried them. Do they have a website? Do you have their number?

A 24ft truck might work, since I couldn't get an 18 wheeler to transport 22 tons (no C class license, and no room to store 22 tons)

I guess I'd rent a car one way out to PA, then camp out for a night and drive back with the truck.....would have to work the numbers on that to see if it was worth it.

ValterBorges wrote:Have you talked to Blasklee? Middletown?

A landscaper with dump can pick up in New Britain house oil.

What about renting a uhaul? Or getting 22 ton right from nepa?

Relax, take a couple deep breaths.....you don't need to think about a TT load for some time. You have plenty of 'education' to complete before you actually know anything about coal and burning it. Look at the Keystoker, Leisure Line radiant units. Check out Patriot Coal.Net for both types of stokers. If you like to read, just use the search tool on the upper right and ask any questions you want. Listen, Grasshopper, and observe. If you think you have it all figured out, be advised: YOU DO NOT!
We are here to help, but the ultimate decision is yours.

ValterBorges wrote:A landscaper with dump can pick up in New Britain house oil.

I don't think Al @ Household Fuel is selling bulk anymore, I heard he is planning to pack it in soon.

Is coal a dying fuel persae? Seems like there are less and less dealers, especially in my area. Pellets are the new hotness.

Yes tell everyone stay away from dirty coal.

Nice , 60 miles away. Thanks so much!

Bster13 wrote:Nice , 60 miles away. Thanks so much!

http://www.readinganthracite.com/dealer-directory/
http://www.blaschakcoal.com/residential ... er-locator

You can go to Mass and feel and touch a patriot coal stove, which you can put in the basement it comes with hooper and other nice features.
http://www.patriotcoal.net/home/products/

coaledsweat wrote:

ValterBorges wrote:A landscaper with dump can pick up in New Britain house oil.

I don't think Al @ Household Fuel is selling bulk anymore, I heard he is planning to pack it in soon.

I want one of those sillos ill fill it up

Thanks for the dealer locater stuff, I inquired via email.

Anyone care to comment on

- The noise of a stoker in the living room.
- The "ash problem" real or made up?
- If a radiant stove will cut it for the specs of my house or will my living room be 95F and the bedrooms be 60F?

Thanks again!

Fly ash all around: Hand fired v. Stoker
Was ready to buy a stoker stove
need to move air

Search is your friend

Thanks very much. I've been reading a bunch on hearth.com and http://www.videointerchange.com/coal_stoves.shtml. I'll keep quiet for awhile now. :p

Bster13 wrote:I'll keep quiet for awhile now. :p

Nonsense! If you don't ask questions you won't learn!