Newbie Saying Hi

Whistlenut/Rob: you both bring up a good point regarding the creosote issue. I've heard that adding some sort of water storage tank will ensure hotter, more complete burns and lessen that issue. I'm assuming an 80 gal superstore DHW tank would make a decent heat sink, even if it means hotter temps than typically required for DHW, maybe keeping the hotwater setting low and adding a buffer tank inline with the hotwater "out" line could make this scheme doable?

What about a strategy that uses the oil burner more in the warmer spring/fall days when there's more frequent on-off cycles of short duration and saving the wood/coal boiler for the colder days/weeks to get the more intense burns? That seems like it would nearly eliminate the idling issue and require less dumping of excess heat. It would require more oil usage, but the lion's share would still be replaced by the alternative energy boiler. Longer return on investment, but much better maintenance-wise. Thoughts?

Rob, thanks for providing that forest management link; I'd heard at least 10 acres was needed but 15-20 makes more sense having read through that. I don't have nearly that much, but the property abuts 50 acres of town/state land with lots of blow-downs, I may need to check that out some more and see what permissions are required. I figured wood wouldn't provide most of the btu's, just wanted the flexibility to burn it if for whatever reason coal prices jumped (due to cost of coal itself or cost of transport several hundred miles from PA). Please keep the comments coming, they're very much appreciated.

Welcome! Gosh, already an encyclopedia of information.... you've come to the right place!

I noticed that you have never burned coal before, soooooo you are in for a treat if wood is all you know! You will learn as you burn, but today is not a BIG BTU requirement. Remember a few things: Deep fire bed; air from beneath the fire; shaker grates; and adequate sized ash pan; a barometric damper; a clean-out "T"; smoke and CO2 detectors....tested weekly......And IF YOU WANT TO ELIMINATE THE LEARNING CURVE....CHOOSE A STOKER BOILER!

I thought that would jog your senses on this hot day.....and NO, you can't run a hand fed on days like today unless it were in a garage or out building. There is day 2....more later.....

11B2P, you are ahead of the game already by getting knowledge first then a coal appliance.We all are getting older and think of that when purchasing a stove also,the kids will be moving along and its only you cutting and splitting and stacking. Save the wood for a fireplace or a power outage(quick and easy heat). Stoker boiler will be the best to tie into your existing boiler,Many members here to help with that also.
If I only found this forum a few months earlier, I'd have a stoker in my basement.

Here is a wonderful solution to the wood issue: Work it up, and before you stack it, SELL IT and buy coal. My brother does about 25 cords a year.......and burns none of it. He loves the work....cutting, splitting, burning the brush....even the smell of fresh cut Oak, Apple and Cherry.....That solves your quest to learn and burn! 5K will get you 24 tons at your house....that is equivalent to about 4500 gallons of oil...or $15,700 at $3.50 a gallon. I can tell you you won't burn more than 6 tons in a house constructed as yours is......hmmmmmm....that is a 4 year supply of coal or about $1250 a year. You mentioned 800 gallons of oil...times $3.50 or $2800.00. If you sold 6 cords a year at 200/cord, you'd be burning for 'ZERO'. NO Creosote, no 'Hook and Ladder' visits,........no 6500 messages back and forth to the forum....AND you will warmer that you ever have been in any winter.

If you need a great hand fed, just ask. I know of 5 right now. Davey Crocket was worried about power loss, so he has an old one...not used in 100 years.....and while you are enjoying your new community, just read the history of the town and those nearby about the buildings 'lost' to fires. I understand things are different today, BUT I know of no homes burned down due to any coal appliance accidents. Fly ash will plug them up, but it WON'T support combustion.

11B2P wrote:Moving to south central NH (east Cheshire Co.) next month.

Just curious, what town are you moving to?

We have a small group of experienced coal burners in the Keene (Cheshire Co.) and north of Keene area. We buy coal by the truckload and split it.

In our group we have members with coal furnaces and stoves. Some of us also burn cord wood and/or pellets in the spring and fall, and most of us also use oil although in cases like mine I fill the oil tank about every 5 to 9 years.

If you would rather not give the town just PM it to me.

Also there is a heating cost calculator with current New Hampshire fuel costs located at: http://nhclimateaudit.org/calculators.php

Whistlenut/Freddy/Dennis/dll, thanks for your input. I've been out of the loop a bit.. been busy days yesterday and today. The new home is in Rindge, I don't mind saying that although it does feel somehow awkward on a public forum; years of OPSEC awareness I suppose.

We haven't moved in yet, but I'll be taking the family up to visit the Crawford Notch area this weekend. First big camping trip of the season and we're definitely looking forward to it! Wish us luck with the weather (and the state bird ) Looking forward to chatting more when I return. Happy Friday!

I agree with Rob R on forgetting about burning wood. Back in the day we burn coal, then switch to grain/pellet stove, to wood boiler. Sell the wood and save your back