Combination Furnance

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gil
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Post by gil » Fri. Jan. 23, 2009 2:51 pm

Hi. I am just starting lto look into a coal furnance. I have three initial questions.
1. Is there such a thing as a combination LP and rice coal furnance? Trying to figure out if I can leave the LP for a back-up system.
2. Can I connect a hot water heater with a furnance or is it better to leave my existing HW the way it is.
3. Good dealers in the north virginia area?

Details..
I live about 50 miles west of Washington DC. I currently have a LP furnance, hot air, and a 50 gallon hot water tank fed by LP. My two floor house is 10 years old, 2500 square ft. I just finished the basement (heated) that adds on another 900 square ft.
The house also has central air.

thanks

 
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WNY
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Post by WNY » Fri. Jan. 23, 2009 3:11 pm

Do you have or can you get Hard Anthracite Coal in your area?

Most are Oil/Coal combo's Wood/Coal, etc... They may not make and LP/Coal stove.

You can probably just get a stand alone coal stoker furnance and tie it into your existing ductwork, and just leave your LP furnace the way it is. That's what many of us do with a supplemental coal burning stove. You would need a separate chimney for either one.

look in the Best of..."Pics of Your stove" section for ideas of how people have some of their stoves hooked up into existing systems. Pictures of Your Stove

You can also add a DHW (Domestic Hot Water) coil to ANY coal burning stove to circulate thru your existing tank and heat it up that way. (http://www.hilkoil.com)

 
gil
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Post by gil » Fri. Jan. 23, 2009 3:23 pm

Thanks Dave,

I had finished off my basement and the WH, sump and furnance room only has space for one furnance. Hind-sight is a great thing. So if there is no such thing as a combination LP/coal furnance - my only option is to replace the LP with the coal.

As to anthracite coal..I am checking for dealers but I live 45 minutes from WV, 45 minutes from PA, 4 hours from Pittsburgh, 3.5 hours from Phila - I would think I could find anthracite coal around this area.

gil


 
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WNY
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Post by WNY » Fri. Jan. 23, 2009 4:10 pm

Problem with only one heat source of Coal, you have to tend every day or two depending. Fill the hopper and take out the ashes. That is why many of us leave our existing setup for backup, if we go away for a few days, the other furnace can come on if needed..

Others will probably chime in here.....but I don't remember seeing any LP/Coal combo type setups.

 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Fri. Jan. 23, 2009 4:27 pm

The Helpdesk is for forum problems. I am moving this to the main forum, you should get a better response there.

LikeWNY posted, I have never seen a gas/coal combo. Your best bet is a stoker furnace ducted into your gas unit and use it for backup/time away. A lot cheaper, more reliability and can automatically switch over to gas should the coal unit fail. Dual fuel units can not switch over automatically due to liabilities. Two separate furnaces can, with no trouble at all.

 
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beatle78
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Post by beatle78 » Fri. Jan. 23, 2009 5:36 pm

post pics of the basement and utility room. You could put the coal furnace/stove in the finished portion and run the pipes through to the utility room. 8-)


 
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blue_chopper
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Post by blue_chopper » Fri. Jan. 23, 2009 9:27 pm

Hey I think I have the only one know to man

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Engineman3319
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Post by Engineman3319 » Tue. Jan. 27, 2009 6:17 pm

Gil,

Research the Yukon Eagle furnace. They do have a wood/coal/ oil and wood/coal/ propane furnace.
They are at http://www.yukon-eagle.com. I have been researching them for the same reasons you are. Good Luck

 
gil
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Post by gil » Thu. Jan. 29, 2009 3:05 pm

Thanks everyone.
I did get a brouchure form Yukkon - they do have a LP/ coal combination.
Also I can set-up the coal unit in the living space and be able to connect to the main ducts.

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