Thinking of Buying a Coal/Wood/Oil Furnace;Any Advice?

johnlen3 · Post by **johnlen3** » Mon. May. 05, 2008 4:29 pm

Harman Stove Co. has a model SF-2600-SS. It is a coal/wood/oil furnace.Does anybody have any advice or experience with this? Thanks!

ceccil · Post by **ceccil** » Mon. May. 05, 2008 4:55 pm

I do not own one or have any experience with them but I have read many posts about them. I will not tell you what to do as the decision is yours but many have said to get the multi fueled units you must sacrafice how efficiently the unit works. I myself burn only coal and love it. If you look around this forum some more you will find more info on these units. I'm sure some others from here will give you some very good advice also. If you can't get the right advice on this forum, it doesn't exist!!! Good luck.

johnlen3 · Post by **johnlen3** » Mon. May. 05, 2008 5:09 pm

What do you do when you have to go away during the winter with a coal only stove in order to prevent freezing pipes?

Post by **coaledsweat** » Mon. May. 05, 2008 5:40 pm

johnlen3 wrote:What do you do when you have to go away during the winter with a coal only stove in order to prevent freezing pipes?

Most of us have left the existing heat source, be it oil, gas or propane and added the coal unit to the system. It can easily be automated and gives you 100% backup. The best part is you don't have to spend a lot of extra money for the add on oil option on your coal burner.

ceccil · Post by **ceccil** » Mon. May. 05, 2008 5:50 pm

As coaledsweat said, most have left current system in place. In my case I have removed old gas furnace and run coal alone. I have a newer furnace to install but have not got around to it yet. I thing you shoud provide some more info on your situation so others can give you the best advice. Do you currently have oil, propane, gas, etc. and is your system currently hot water, forced air etc. Give it a day or so and there should be more replies to help you with your decision.

johnlen3 · Post by **johnlen3** » Mon. May. 05, 2008 9:26 pm

My existing system is an oil burner/forced air unit.I have a propane water heater.I live in a a big old Victorian and I need to break from the oil.The house is not insulated and windows are very, very old.We are going to buy some heavy duty drapes to try and stop the drafts;at least until we can put in new windows.We are seriously thinking of buying a combo unit/oil/wood/coal from Harman stoves.The unit is the SF-2600-SS.Thanks again!

Post by **coaledsweat** » Mon. May. 05, 2008 11:02 pm

If its a drafty house, I would go with a boiler. Put a coil in the present systems plenum and plumb your new coal boiler to it. You can run the blower slow and continuous and you won't feel any drafts. It will eliminate heating your hot water with propane too. When the coal goes out, your oil takes over.