DF520 problems/coal usage

I'm new to the forum. 1.Are there any nagging problems with the DF520 I should know about before buying a new unit? I belong to the Yahoo group that specializes in Waste Vegetable Oil for heating oil boilers. I must get 25 posts a day about special nozzles, special temps., pre-heaters et al. DF520s are not cantankerous like these WVO units are they? 2. What sort of coal consumption would I expect with a modern 3000 sq. ft. house in coastal Maine? Thanks!

A stoker, any stoker, is nothing like a veggie oil burner. Believe me. I operated a tobacco barn prototype for 3 years. If the oil quality was good, it ran flawlessly. But, we took in all sorts of veggie and motor oils and we got "the bottom of the barrel". It was down much of the time.

Coal heat, any brand, will work well for you.

One ton of coal equals about 180 gallons of fuel oil, for comparison purposes.

genrail1 wrote:1.Are there any nagging problems with the DF520 I should know about before buying a new unit?
2. What sort of coal consumption would I expect with a modern 3000 sq. ft. house in coastal Maine?

1. The most nagging problem is dealing with the fact that it will be there long after you are gone.
2. I would guess about 8 tons max if it is well insulated and has good windows, DHW might be in there too.

Coal,

Many thanks!

Does that 3,000 sq feet include the basement? I have 1,500 feet living space and 1,500 feet of basement that I work in. I'm planning on 4.5 - 5 ton of coal to heat me. I'm in central Maine.

You'll know for sure how much coal after the first year It's so hard to say due to all the variables, I planned on using 6 -7 tons and I burned through 8, this year I am going to probably buy 10 tons so I have a cushion, any leftovers won't go bad.

Freddy wrote:Does that 3,000 sq feet include the basement? I have 1,500 feet living space and 1,500 feet of basement that I work in. I'm planning on 4.5 - 5 ton of coal to heat me. I'm in central Maine.

I have the same size house 3.140 I burned 5 tons so far with out heating hot water your winter's are alot harder then mine are so I would say 8 to 10 tons with heating hot water maybe 6 to 8 with out always buy more then what you think you will use you never know how winter will turn out the coal won't go bad if you plan to run all summer long for hot water you might need a few more tons