Switching to Coal...

mrhackett78 · Post by **mrhackett78** » Wed. Jan. 01, 2014 4:31 pm

Ok, so I am a newbie at this, but we are considering switching to coal heat. We have a Warm Morning 400 in the basement that is in good condition- just not hooked up to anything.

My questions are, where would be the best location(s) in the house to hook it up to/from? and about how long would a ton of coal last us? (living in central connecticut based weather, a few months (3-4) of real cold).

Also, if anyone in the area knows how to hook it up- I have a copy of the manual but never done such a hook up before, so help would be appreciated!

stovehospital · Post by **stovehospital** » Wed. Jan. 01, 2014 4:52 pm

The warm morning is actually an outgrowth of the Us Army barracks heater #4. It is probably best in the cellar.
I use antique stoves and I heat with just over two tons per winter plus some propane. I have to burn some propane so I don't get hit with something called "the minimum usage charge". I got hit last June. I live in RI so we are pretty similar for winter heating.
Just a few suggestions.
1. Coal is something that has to be learned. It takes 3-4 weeks to get it right.
2. Don't get anything the uses electricity. That defeats the purpose.
3. Talk to the guys on the forum and listen. They have a ton of experience.

mrhackett78 · Post by **mrhackett78** » Wed. Jan. 01, 2014 5:33 pm

What do you mean by minimum usage charge? And thank you for the quick reply

jjs777_fzr · Post by **jjs777_fzr** » Wed. Jan. 01, 2014 6:25 pm

You mentioned switching to coal - but switching from what ?

Best location ? I would not advise a basement installation unless you intend to use your basement as a conditioned living space.
If its just a basement - then why heat it ? If you have standard concrete or stone foundation - it will suck the heat out.
Now that I said that - there are folks that have basement installed coal stoves etc and after they cut holes here and there through floorboards and have fans going in different directions...they are happy.
I have one running in my basement because I simply like going to the basement - away from the 4 kids (and wife...shhhhh) after I get done outside doing chores and just warming up to a nice coal fire.

How to hook it up ? Coal stoves are a solid fuel appliance. This means it needs its own flu and typically would require some black pipe (stove pipe) and then Class A which is applicable for through combustible walls and ceilings. If you attempt the install yourself - be careful and observe all manufacturer warnings.

I believe a warm morning would be a decent stove to start with - based on looks and design.

There's a few videos of wm's on youtube - maybe worth checking them out.

I hear they burn bit coal as well as anthracite coal.

example vids when searching yt

Ed.A · Post by **Ed.A** » Wed. Jan. 01, 2014 6:35 pm

mrhackett78 wrote:What do you mean by minimum usage charge? And thank you for the quick reply

Propane dealers charge you for not using "their" tank. If you "own" your tank then that does not apply.

I got a call back in Oct....or I should say my Wife did,( I haven't used my Modine since I got the '94 Stoker and I really kinda forgot about) so they explained that we owed them $85 for not using Propane.
My Wife: " Really? $85 for not using something."
Dealer : "Yes , it's in the fine print on the backside near the bottom of your bill."
Wife: Hrmm, I see. How about you just come and get your tank and we'll call it even".
Dealer: Well you see you owe
Wife : Have a nice day. Click.

They picked up the tank a day later and we've not heard from them since.

mrhackett78 · Post by **mrhackett78** » Wed. Jan. 01, 2014 7:18 pm

Switching from oil heat... the house is an old house that originally was coal stove heated but was converted to oil about 40 years ago

Post by **dcrane** » Wed. Jan. 01, 2014 8:07 pm

i think the WM 400 is the big'en That particular WM might be out of place in most living rooms. Ive only ever used the slimmer WM (works on the same principles but the 400 has some additional features side doors and drafts, etc). The firebrick is the toughy with it.... care for it like its your pet (because replacing it is VERY hard)! If that baby is all set up in the basement then Id fire it up right where it is! some pics please when you can just so I know it is the big one?

Post by **Lightning** » Thu. Jan. 02, 2014 11:12 am

Ed.A wrote:Wife: Hrmm, I see. How about you just come and get your tank and we'll call it even".
Dealer: Well you see you owe
Wife : Have a nice day. Click.

Epic! Sounds like a similar conversation I had with the propane company. I owed around $300 when they came for the tank. Driver showed up, went something like this.

Driver: Hi, I'm here to pick up the tank..
Me: (with smile) Oh, ok.. That's fine.
Driver: Well, actually if you can pay me the balance on the bill I can leave it here.
Me: Nope, you people have robbed me long enough. Get it the hell outta my yard. Thank you, have a nice day.

Ed.A · Post by **Ed.A** » Sat. Jan. 04, 2014 8:58 am

Lightning wrote:
Ed.A wrote:Wife: Hrmm, I see. How about you just come and get your tank and we'll call it even".
Dealer: Well you see you owe
Wife : Have a nice day. Click.
Epic! Sounds like a similar conversation I had with the propane company. I owed around $300 when they came for the tank. Driver showed up, went something like this.

Driver: Hi, I'm here to pick up the tank..
Me: (with smile) Oh, ok.. That's fine.
Driver: Well, actually if you can pay me the balance on the bill I can leave it here.
Me: Nope, you people have robbed me long enough. Get it the hell outta my yard. Thank you, have a nice day.

Nice.

stovehospital · Post by **stovehospital** » Thu. Feb. 05, 2015 6:35 am

"Minimum usage charge". We have a propane tank because we do have a propane furnace. If we use less than a tankful per year, we get hit with a minimum usage charge of $175. It is in mini-micro-small print on the back of the bill. I thought it was ant tracks.
Nice folks those propane people

Formulabruce · Post by **Formulabruce** » Sun. Feb. 08, 2015 12:52 am

Propane>> The more you use, the LESS it costs you
Natural gas>> The more you use, the MORE it costs you...., and I do mean MORE per therm... not just more because you used more..
Small usage propane has its drawbacks, but it beats natural gas for Heating ( even with a 95% efficient condensate furnace)

Post by **coaledsweat** » Sun. Feb. 08, 2015 7:31 am

Mrhackett78, where exactly in CT are you?

joeq · Post by **joeq** » Sun. Feb. 08, 2015 3:41 pm

What's up Mr. H? Have you got your WM up and running? Or has the propane people talked you into something you just "can't refuse"?

scalabro · Post by **scalabro** » Sun. Feb. 08, 2015 4:12 pm

Speaking of propane....I purchased two new 120 gallon tanks from my dealer pretty cheap. Now I shop the price. Funny thing is, the dealer ALWAYS gives me the best price now that I own them, lol!

Grommet64 · Post by **Grommet64** » Thu. Dec. 07, 2023 1:00 pm

Good afternoon All,
I recently purchased a Warm Morning 400 and am in search of a manual for it? Any suggestions or resources would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and Merry Christmas.

Rick