Bought House. Switch to Coal Over Fuel Oil?

SMITTY · Post by **SMITTY** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 10:41 pm

$12 - $15 GRAND .....

THANK YOU Jim D. for the boiler ... and THANK YOU GOD for the ability to install it!! I'm luckier than I ever imagined. WOW ...

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 10:42 pm

Easiest would be to pipe the coal boiler to heat the water in the oil boiler and use all the existing circulators and zones as is. That way you could wire it so if the coal boiler would conk out for some reason the oil would automatically cut in to keep your heat on. The only down side to that is you'd be keeping a larger volume of water heated which would use a little more coal. Always good to pipe and valve it so you can isolate each system, if ever necessary.

SMITTY · Post by **SMITTY** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 10:45 pm

That's what I did with mine. The stoker boiler just heats the water in the oil boiler, and everything else just works as it did prior. Everything is already on the boiler, so you save money ... and because you don't have to install any of that extra stuff (flow checks, circs, zone valves, expansion tank, etc) , it's easy. I like easy!

It was a relatively easy install .... if I take my short fuse out of the equation ...

ShawnTRD · Post by **ShawnTRD** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 10:52 pm

What I mean is do you recommend the Keystoker or something else. If Keystoker, KA6 or something else. Auger system? Or if I didn't start with a auger how often will I need to fill a hopper?

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 10:58 pm

Oh. I love my KA6! No problem recommending at all. In the recent bitter cold, I was filling the hopper every 2-3 days. In normal weather every 3-5. I've thought about an auger myself but I have an outside door right next to the boiler and my coal is right outside the door so loading the hopper hasn't been a big deal. Takes 15 minutes if you let it drop near empty.

windyhill4.2 · Post by **windyhill4.2** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 11:01 pm

windyhill4.2 wrote:Shawn,welcome to the forum.Are there any records of the oil usage,that would help to determine the heat load. Some of the experts will be along to give advice based on the info you give so be prepared for more questions.Total cost .. $12-$15K ?? Coal storage under deck looks big enough for you to buy tractor trailer load,which will probably be most cost effective way up there,just need a good auger or conveyer to get it under the deck. Dual fuel ?? lots of pro/con on that subject.Are you away from home for extended periods,the oil back-up could be worth having then,keep the current oil boiler for back-up vs.sell it & purchase a dual fuel unit.Lots of things to consider ,lots of info & opinions will be coming.Coal is certainly a smart choice,glad that you are considering it.

I quoted " Total cost ... $12-$15K ?? as a question .I got that figure reading another thread where that was the figure given for boiler install + I posed this figure as a question hoping some one would give a closer figure but still its this

$12-$15K,i know better for next time .

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 11:05 pm

I think, if you can get the boiler for $5000-$6000 the rest of the install shouldn't be more than the price of the boiler so $10,000ish should do it. Depending on labor costs in the area.

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 11:21 pm

If you do tie the boilers together, make sure you get a bigger expansion tank than is probably on the oil boiler. You'll need a larger one for the larger volume of water now in the system

Flyer5 · Post by **Flyer5** » Fri. Feb. 07, 2014 9:27 pm

Davian wrote:
windyhill4.2 wrote:Just my .000000001 cent,why are we already worrying about resale factors when he just bought the house ??If he plans to sell soon as in flip the house it wouldn't make sense to do anything with the heating system. $4K on temporary coal heat ??, why not go ahead & spend the extra for the boiler & have a permanent system that will outlive the owner while keeping him warm in the house & while showering & do DHW yr round ?? Pay back time will be less for the boiler than to pay back first the stove & accessories & then pay back the boiler too later on. Not to mention the comfort level of the boiler central heating system through out the entire house vs. warm & cooler rooms from a stove sitting in one spot. Go boiler,go boiler ....
A boiler is a 20-30 year investment minimum...if he's not planning on staying there forever, its something to consider. A lot of people don't stay in their home that long or even half that long.

The math is off. Most people pay for the investment in the first 3 yrs. So saying 5yr ROI is pretty fair. So in 30 yrs they should be paid for about 6 times. If you can swing it go with the central heating unit. Powervent the oil and plug the coal boiler into the chimney. I have heard many people say they wished they went with a central unit Boiler / Furnace right in the beginning. I don't recall hearing anyone ever saying I wish I did a stove instead of a boiler or furnace.

ShawnTRD · Post by **ShawnTRD** » Sat. Feb. 08, 2014 12:37 am

Ok so I'm looking into chimney's and I haven't asked a Mason I know yet but I'm thinking a legit chimney will be at less $2000.00. Does that seem about right?

Flyer5 · Post by **Flyer5** » Sat. Feb. 08, 2014 8:43 am

ShawnTRD wrote:Ok so I'm looking into chimney's and I haven't asked a Mason I know yet but I'm thinking a legit chimney will be at less $2000.00. Does that seem about right?

I have heard any where from beer and materials and up. $2000 sounds in the ball park. Depending on the mason that may be cheaper than the beer.

ShawnTRD · Post by **ShawnTRD** » Sat. Feb. 08, 2014 5:33 pm

I sent the mason a message last night. He said it would be 3000 for a 25 ft chimney.