Looking to replace 35 year old oil furnace

This isn't for me, but for my parents. They have the original 1978 oil fired Whirlpool furnace in their home. The cost of the oil has been out of hand in recent years, and they are looking for a replacement.

I have an uncle that burns pellets and he keeps trying to push them to put a pellet insert in the living room... "Pellets are so clean" etc... Part of the problem with their house, is the floor plan is not well laid out for heating by a stove. With just a stove running, the living room would be blazing hot and the 1st floor bath would have pipes bursting from the cold. The house is 2 stories, and is approximately 2600 sq ft.

I've been working on that general misconception that a coal heating plant is filthy and dirty, and I think it's working. He is interested in going to look at some coal stoker furnaces, but he wants to get one that has the option of an oil burner for backup. I have been researching here on the forum and looking at manufacturers websites, but would like to get some input from other members.

I attached a few pictures of the current setup.

Thanks!

I would think maybe a pellet stove for tiny supplemental heat. That might save a few bucks a year. A newer oil furnace would likely be more efficient but how long would payback time be? A EFM dual fuel cost a good buck new. Cheaper used and rebuilt. Is there a way to build a coal bin and is there somewhere to dump ashes? They may be at the age where the extra work with coal may be a drawback. Maybe a coal stoker stove for supplemental heat.

The room with the furnace did have a wood bin in it until a few years ago. There is an exterior window just out of view in the picture, just to the left of the oil tank. There is enough room there to build a bin with 4-5 tons capacity and run a chute in the window.

They have 1.5 Acres, plenty of room down back to dump ashes. They are 58/59, and in good health, no issues with dumping in a few shovels of coal or taking out a bucket of ashes. I think they want the dual fuel option in case they end up not being able to tend the coal another 15-20 years down the road.

I saw that Keystoker makes a furnace with an oil burner option. I saw Leisure Line has dual fuel boilers listed but I didn't see that option for the furnaces.

Try www.yukon-eagle.com. They make three different btu sized multifuel furnaces,wood-coal-oil,wood-coal-gas,and some add on furnaces that burn wood and coal.If I was replacing my oil burner(which I'm Not),I would like one of these for my house.The oil or gas option are true dual fuel,throw some wood in the box,turn up the thermostat and the oil(or gas) burner will start the fire for you,then turn the thermo back a little to cut the oil burner off and load it like you would a normal wood furnace.With the coal grate option it will burn anthracite nut also.If the electric goes off and your ducts are sized properly it will heat your house by gravity/convection.One furnace,three fuels,no power?no problem! They use these things in Minnesota so bitter cold is the norm for them.My Pioneer is doing a fine job and my oil burner helps a little in weather like this.I believe Harmon makes a similar furnace but I understand they don't like to sell parts to residential customers.

LDPosse wrote:.................. I saw Leisure Line has dual fuel boilers listed but I didn't see that option for the furnaces.

Scroll down past the boilers and you will find the AK 110 or AK 220 dual fuel furnaces.

Better yet, call them and take a trip over to the factory to see them in person.


You will not find any service any where else that will compare to the LL staff.




Rick


edit for spelling

I have had good results with the Keystoker A-120-150 furnace with the oil burner add-on. That would be my suggestion.

Rick 386 wrote:Scroll down past the boilers and you will find the AK 110 or AK 220 dual fuel furnaces.

Better yet, call them and take a trip over to the factory to see them in person.

You will not find any service any where else that will compare to the LL staff.

Rick

I gave Leisure Line a ring today, they said that the "warm air furnace" is coal only, but suggested installing a dual fuel boiler with a heat exchanger. The guy on the phone was very helpful and spent some time discussing various options.