Getting Close

Getting close to the end of my first season heating with coal. Started November and part of December with wood in my old Weso stove. Strictly coal until now. I figured I carried close to 4 ton down the old farm house basement steps, one 40 pound bag at a time. Also fed the coal monster at my 8000 sq ft shop (a Keystoker Koker) 3 bags daily. When you count bags, Ohio winters are long. When you count savings, thank the Good Lord for coal. I'm interested in your conversations about buying rice coal in bulk. Do you have hoppers or bins to put it in? Seems to me that bags cost dollars. I'm paying 330 for a pallet or 60-40 pound bags. Is bulk a possibility for Ohio? Anyways it's been a great savings for my first year. Between my business and my house I spent 3800 in coal. Normally it is 3600 for the house in propane and 6400 for gas at the shop (commercial rate for this). I guess I put it to the "man" this year. Thanks to all who write to this forum. I have learned a lot. An old man once told me, the day you stop learning is the day your not living.
PS...thanks you Chris. I got my boiler working great.

Bulk would probalby be cheaper, but you would have to check the delivery to OH, you might be able to find someone with a 10-20 ton dump willing to travel, but it might be more $$$ in the long run with the price of deisel fuel. Check around your area, someone may be able get you bulk in a smaller amounts (3-4 ton) or find some other people that might go in together to get a large bulk shipment.

Many of us have build various bins, rooms, sheds, etc...to store it...
Coal Bin Pics
COAL BIN Pics

Boilerman,

Where in Ohio are you located?
I am just norht of Mansfield and am hoping to have my first stoker before next year. I too have wondered about bulk rice, maybe we should try to get some sort of co-op thing going. Just a thought.

Eric