New to Coal, Want a Coal Boiler in Shed Outside

I am very new to this forum. I live in Oxford, New Jersey real close to the PA border. I am curently heating my very old house with propane in a forced hot air furnace. it is way to expensive. My house is about 1500 square feet. For A while I was considering suplementing with wood but after running into this forum I am dieing to burn coal. My only problem is that I only really have one option for a set up. I would have to instal a coal boiler outside in a shed and pipe it into my existing duct work with a liquid to air heat exchanger. My first question is if this is worth doing? Am I going to lose btus and effecientcy with a heat transfer like this? Also does any one know if towns typicaly have problems with residents instaling boilers outside in a shed and piping them inside? I want to burn anthracite so there would not be much smoke.. Also does anyone have a recomendation on a fairly priced, hand fired boiler that would be good for this? Thank you all very much. I have learned so much about burning coal in the last few days on this forum. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Have you thought about a stoker fed instead of hand fed boiler? If you have a hand fed boiler in a outbuilding you wouldn't be able to leave home for extended periods without risk of the fire going out and possible freezing pipes if there's no backup heat in the outbuilding. Members on this forum have boilers with stokers that draw coal directly from the coal bin and can run for extended periods without any tending. Some even have automated ash removal. Hand fed boilers work just fine for a lot of people but I just think a stoker is the best especially in an outbuilding.

If I were going to install a boiler in an out building I would do it similar to what this member did(see link below)and as he put it "So basically it runs by itself and I monitor it".
Here is the link, scroll down to see photos. Also see photos on the second page.
AHS S130 Installation by Maccoon
The overall idea of getting a coal boiler is a good one.

Why would you want it outside? YOu can get a stoker stove or stoker furnace and put it in the basement and hook it up in parallel with your existing furnace. Boilers are more expensive than stoker type stoves.

Post in the boiler section, you'll get a better response.

I'll move it there.

I prefer having the appliance in the basement myself, it keeps all the heat in the home and me. Done right, it will work great and save you a ton of money while you stay warmer either way.

Thanks for all the input guys. The reason I want to put it outside is because I have no ware to put it in the basement. My basement is fully finished. My only option for a coal burner in the basement would be to put a nice looking stove in the family room. The whole basement is dry walled even the ceilings (I would love to take a sledge hammer to all this dry wall that is hiding me from all my utilities). I was wondering if I put one in the family room, would the heat rise up to the second floor if I put a couple of vents in the ceiling ? I will still have my propane furnace. I just don't want it to run as often.

The number one reason I wanted a hand fired one instead of a auto one in the outbuilding is: I can only afford a hand fired one. The second reason is that this is only for suplemental heat. I just want to put a dent in the heating bill. I also like to be self sufficient. I would like to work a little bit for my heat. I do not mind going outside. I am out there all the time with my dog anyway. As far as the freezing pipe issue goes, I figured I could put an electric heater in there as a back up. If I know it is going to be down for an extended period of time I will drain the system and shut down the electric heater.

On one hand you say you want a boiler so you can pipe the heat inside, on the other you say you only want to knock the crap out of your fuel bill and not spend much money. A boiler is way more money than a stove. If it's put outside now you have the added expense of a building, insulate that building, underground piping, a heat exchanger, a chimney, the heat loss. An electric heater? That would cost more to run than keeping the coal going 24/7. I'd recommend a a good looking coal stoker in the cellar, maybe a direct vent. Maybe run the coal in the chimney and power vent the hot air furnace.

I have a friend that says "Get into it, or get out of it". If you're going to do an outdoor boiler, plan on it totally heating your house, and domestic hot water (DHW) too.

Freddy I think you might be right. I am starting to realize myself that the boiler outside might not be such a good idea with all the added expenses. You bring up a very good idea in powerventing the furnace and using the chimney for coal. I did not know that you could powervent a furnace, particularly mine. My furnace is a goodman 80% effic. propane. I think the exaust is a 4 inch metal line. I know that the newer 95% effic. ones are vented through a small pvc, but I do not have one of these. I will def. have to do some research on powerventing the furnace. Any input anyone has on this topic would be great. If I knew how to move this post to the venting section I would. I need to learn how to use this forum better... Thanks for the input.

Here's a website for powerventers: http://www.fieldcontrols.com/

Here's a video of their newest idea... looks good: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=jb6o3sxxN0U

You've got a bunch of research & dreaming to do. If you go with a stove in the house, do you want an automatic stove (stoker)? Stokers use electricity and make some sound. Some are quieter than others. The hopper get's filled and ashes emptied as needed. The temperature control is automatic as is the coal feeding and the ash shaking. Or do you want to go with a hand fed? They use no electricity, although some have a fan to push the hot air, they are silent. They do require more work and attention more often. Most of the hand feds, after the learning curve, after the frustration, after the swearing, most will go 12 hours between needs and seem very easy to use. The frustration slows to a crawl, the swearing ends, and you find it a warm, comfy, attractive spot that draws the family to it.

Thank you for the links. I do have alot of dreaming and research left to do. I am going to try to take my time with this, however my propane bill is so high that I almost want to get this started as soon as possible. I know we are in the middle of the winter and if I decide to get one now, I probably wont be able to get the stove of my choice. On the other hand, I could start saving money and enjoying my stove this winter.Does anyone have any recomendations for what brand stove to go with if I choose a hand fired one?

Wood goes outside, coal goes inside, oil goes in the car.

But for a fellow prospective coal burner, we will make an exception to the rule !

If you do end up burning coal, Ritter Lumber in Belvidere sells coal and should deliver. The owner is a great gentleman to work with, and at last check there was no charge for delivery as long as you got at least 2 tons. I would still be getting my coal there except that I found a place that is 20 minutes closer each way, as I'm too far for delivery (25+ miles from Belvidere).

Chris

Ritter? That name rings a bell. I think I may have talked to someone from this company. I beleive I called a Ritter in belvidere that is an Alaska stove dealer. I bet it is this same company that you speak of.