Keystoker Furnace Vs. Harman Furnace?

 
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Yanche
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Alternate Heating Systems S-130
Coal Size/Type: Anthracite Pea

Post by Yanche » Tue. Jun. 10, 2008 10:33 pm

Most coal boilers are wet base. Wet base in the context of comparing them to a wet base vs. dry base oil or gas fired boiler. In a dry base oil or gas boiler there is no water in same plane as the flame. The boiler water vessel is above the flame area. Usually just setting on a heavy sheet metal base. In many coal boilers while it's a dry base where the ash is removed, there usually is water surrounding the area where the coal is burning. So in that context it's wet base.

 
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Lumberjack
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Post by Lumberjack » Tue. Jun. 10, 2008 11:07 pm

Some interesting points....

So boilers have no door seals to leak or vent piping either it appears.... :?

Anyone on this board with an older furnace willing to verify this information? Are the air to air exchangers vulnerable?

 
Matthaus
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Post by Matthaus » Wed. Jun. 11, 2008 12:12 am

Thanks Yanche, as usual your grasp of proper terminology is above reproach. :D
Lumberjack wrote:Some interesting points.... So boilers have no door seals to leak or vent piping either it appears.... :?
Anyone on this board with an older furnace willing to verify this information? Are the air to air exchangers vulnerable?
The combustion area is not sealed air tight only "mostly sealed" :lol: , there is a -.02" WC in most coal fired boilers/furnaces as long as the draft is correct (that is the reason for my remark about proper draft). The vent pipe should be under a -.04" WC negative pressure so the same thing there goes for any small leaks. Same thing goes for small leaks into the hot air plenum of a furnace, but the real danger is for a larger size hole burned through from the firebox.

I believe the points of the original remarks of the benefits of boilers is a proven set of facts. nuff said. :roll:


 
HollisME
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Post by HollisME » Wed. Jun. 11, 2008 3:27 pm

Be sure to check the availability of the Harmon. There was a thread on here last week stating they were back ordered till January. I was looking at the Harman too, but went with the Keystoker. The Keystoker's also have a bit of wait on them too. I ordered last week and was informed it would be ready for pickup in 12 weeks
For the record - I ordered the Harman 2500 SF wood/coal furnace yesterday. They are on backorder until December. I did my research on both and given Harmon's reputation as the Cadillac in the industry and their warranty, I went with them. I would recommend a multifuel system and to keep your existing oil furnace as back up, if you have the space for it.

 
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coalkirk
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Coal Size/Type: Lehigh anthracite/rice coal

Post by coalkirk » Wed. Jun. 11, 2008 7:41 pm

Lumberjack wrote:Some interesting points....

So boilers have no door seals to leak or vent piping either it appears.... :?

Anyone on this board with an older furnace willing to verify this information? Are the air to air exchangers vulnerable?
Yes boilers have door seals and vent pipes which can leak, as do furnaces. The problem with forced air furnaces is the air to air heat exchangers corrrode and get holes in them, no matter what the fuel. That's why furnaces last about 25 years and boilers last about 40 on average. I've been a home inspector for 20 years and look at furnaces every day so I can verify this.

 
pspinella
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Post by pspinella » Wed. Jun. 11, 2008 10:32 pm

Thanks for all the input.

We are going to stay with forced hot air instead of a boiler, even with the possibility of it rusting out. Maybe I'll get a few extra CO2 detectors. :)

Unfortuatley, we don't have the room to install the coal furnace next to the existing oil furnace. So, the multi fuel furnace seems to be the only way to go. (we really want to keep the oil as backup.)

The model we are looking at is the Harman Central Heating Wood/Coal/Oil Furnace SF-2600-SS. It's big enough for our square footage and has the oil burner built in.

Keystoker makes one also. coal and oil.

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