Jumping on the wagon!!!

First off, I'd like to say what an awesome place you guys have here. I've been lurking on this site for a few days now gathering as much info as I can, and all I can say is WOW! There is sooo much info here!

Anyways, I currently heat my home with oil, and unless I don't want to eat this winter, I HAVE to jump on the wagon, get back to basics, and get myself a coal stove...
My wife of 3 weeks, does not want the stove on the main floor. To be honest, I really don't have a place to put one right now, except for the basement. I am going to a few shops tomorrow morning to get some prices, and was wondering if you guys had any advice for me?
My main living area(two story) is 2200sqft, and the basement is another 1100sqft. I plan on installing some electric baseboard heat on the second floor, so any heat coming up from the basement, would be a bonus. I plan on installing some registers in the floor, on the first floor. I do not have any ventwork in the house, as the heat is hot water/radiator. Also, despite the advice to hook into my chimney, I need a stove that is either a DV, or PV, and prefferably a stoker.
I cannot hook into my existing chimney right now, as the oil furnace/boiler is there, and because we are unsure how well the coal stoe in the basement will work....

Sorry if I sound completely novice, but I kinda am...

Thanks in advance for your help!!!!

Tim

Welcome Tim,
It's great that you want to jump on the wagon...if you have read alot on this forum you must know the wagons are all FULL.
Alot of people here have a stove on order and will be lucky to get it before Xmas.

From reading about people on a waiting list for a stove I would advise you not to order a stove and get on a waiting list.
instead call around and see if a stove dealer has any instock .
some times the dealer orders a stove for someone and the people back out because they got tired of waiting and you can pick it up.

It's not gonna be easy but keep calling, be prepared to travel a good distance to pickit up.

I see you are NE PA
I don't know if this stove place is near you but try gardens to grow.
They sell stoves, talk to Tom, He is a good guy and will be straght with you.
here is the link to the site:
http://gardenstogrow.com/


Good Luck

Tim, your best solution is to use your existing hot water system with a coal boiler. You can leave the oil furnace in the system for backup if you wish. Trying to move hot air around a house without ductwork is difficult and definately substandard to a hydronic heating system. With the hydronic system you have the heat flowing throughout the whole house evenly and not too hot in some areas and too cold in others. Your domestic hot water can be drawn from a coil in your boiler as well. You already have the house plumbed for hot water heating, which is the hard part. You won't regret going with a boiler.

Terry

Ahh...Thanks for the advice.

I know the wagon is FULL, I figured I can at least chase it, and hope for an opening!!!

I also am okay with used stoves as well...

I was thinking about a boiler, but I also did not want the added cost(just assuming here) of one, as I may be moving in 5 years or less...I really don't want to heat the upstairs, just the main floor. I saw a "heat jacket" for another stove. Are these available for most stoves??? I would think that getting one, and installing some ducts to heat the main floor would work.....Any thoughts on this?


Thanks again!

Tim

well, I'll give you my thoughts on this.
IF you are going to move in 5 years don't cut holes for hot air circulation upstairs.
buy a stove that you can take with you when you leave because on this forum coal heating is a positive thing but talk to other people and you will find that coal is a big negative to have in your house if you are trying to sell it.

if you put in a direct vent stove, do it so it can be removed and no one can tell it was ever there.

keep in mind that I am from long island so how people feel about heating with coal could be very differant where you are.

I'd also read a few threads about power venting a coal appliance. Most of us don't recommend it as the PV will have to run 24/7 through the heating season & you will lose you fire with a power failure. Block masonry chimneys aren't much more expensive than PV'ing & a much better solution.

Yeah, I was only going to put the holes in the floor of the first floor. I think I can do it in a way that can be changed back, if needed. I was looking into the Hyfire II with a heat jacket. From there, I was going to run a duct the distance of my home, with a few vents.

Well........2 more hours until the first place opens.......haha!

Well, the deed has been done...

I ordered my new Hyfire II, with heat jacket today.....Now, the fun begins!

I have to say that Karen from Valley Stove and Fireplace was EXTREMELY helpful. She answered all of my questions, and made me feel very comfortable with my purchase.
To be honest, I knew this morning that I would go there, and order one. From what I've read on here, and from others that I know personally, I made the right choice for my situation.

Starting the coal bin and duct work this week!!!!!


Tim

Congrats!! You made a smart choice. Your pocketbook will thank you this winter.

Best wishes for a warm winter!

Hunlock wrote:I ordered my new Hyfire II, with heat jacket today.....Now, the fun begins!

Congrats! Did they say when it should arrive?

Devil505 wrote:Congrats! Did they say when it should arrive?

ditto! I hope you get it in time for this winter!!!

Those LL stoves seem pretty slick AND they come standard with coaltrol controls

Thanks everyone!

I'm "stoked"!....Sorry, I could not refuse....lol

Devil505 wrote:

Hunlock wrote:I ordered my new Hyfire II, with heat jacket today.....Now, the fun begins!

Congrats! Did they say when it should arrive?

End of December...maybe.

No worries though, as I have a tank full of oil which I have no intention on wasting. Plus, I need some time to build a bin, figure out my ductwork, and install the hotwater heater...Yup, prety pricey day here....lol


Thanks again guys!

Tim

Welcome to coal! I think you'll like the heat & your checkbook will enjoy it too.