Anthracite Furnace

Jirwin · Post by **Jirwin** » Sun. Oct. 12, 2014 4:43 pm

I am pondering an anthracite furnace, just don't know what to get. 2000 sq ft Cape Cod with an addition/great room that has a vaulted ceiling and a Hitzer 50-93 in it. Unfinished basement with wife's stamp room/office. All bedrooms on main floor keep warm with Hitzer except daughters bedroom and possibly kitchen when it is real cold (walls and layout don't allow for heat to travel without cooking the rest of the house out). Currently have oil heating and don't really plan on filling the tank up.

I have a chimney to vent through for the new coal furnace, and it has been inspected, so I am good to go with the coal furnace in basement. There is plenty of room to add it and excellent access to the existing ductwork.

I have read a ton on the furnaces and just don't know. I like the boiler idea, but, don't want to burn coal in the warm weather to heat my water (just bought a pretty efficient electric water heater). Any suggestions and advice is much appreciated.

davidmcbeth3 · Post by **davidmcbeth3** » Sun. Oct. 12, 2014 4:55 pm

Who inspected the chimney? A general house inspector? May wish a chimney guy in to double check ...

Rick 386 · Post by **Rick 386** » Sun. Oct. 12, 2014 5:01 pm

There are 2 options available to you.

First is to install a stoker with a heat jacket to tie into your existing ductwork.

The second is to get a boiler. Use a water to air heat exchanger in the ductwork and plumb in your domestic hot water while you are using coal. In the off season continue to use your new water heater.
However it is best to use a coal boiler year round.

Rick

Jirwin · Post by **Jirwin** » Sun. Oct. 12, 2014 5:54 pm

davidmcbeth3 wrote:Who inspected the chimney? A general house inspector? May wish a chimney guy in to double check ...

General house inspector! LOL? Real chimney guy of course.

Jirwin · Post by **Jirwin** » Sun. Oct. 12, 2014 5:57 pm

Rick 386 wrote:There are 2 options available to you.

First is to install a stoker with a heat jacket to tie into your existing ductwork.

The second is to get a boiler. Use a water to air heat exchanger in the ductwork and plumb in your domestic hot water while you are using coal. In the off season continue to use your new water heater.
However it is best to use a coal boiler year round.

Rick

Got that all, just wanting to be swayed one way or another I guess with excellent conversation and opinions.

Rick 386 · Post by **Rick 386** » Mon. Oct. 13, 2014 9:36 am

Well if you want my opinion...............................

I'd go with the boiler with water to air heat exchanger.

Of course this comes from someone who owns an AA 260 running it 24/7/365 for heat and domestic hot water. I love having plenty of hot water no matter what.

Rick

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Mon. Oct. 13, 2014 9:44 am

I am with Rick, however any stoker hot air unit would be very good. I'm a 24/7, 365 guy also, so we are prejudiced to start with. I am seeing adds for a hot water coil setup for 1750 advertised to install in radiant units and am wondering where the logic is in spending 2K on just a hot water add on when you can have a boiler and free hot water and sooooooooo much more. Look over smitty's posts on going from hot air to a stoker boiler....or anyone else that took the long road to a short answer. If the budget is the greatest concern, loo at craigslist in several ares around you and up to 500 miles away, it might easily pay for the trip to travel a little....AFTER you do your homework.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Mon. Oct. 13, 2014 12:11 pm

Sounds like a small load if the Hitzer can do as you say.

I'm a seasonal boiler guy w/ the hot water coil in the duct/plenum. No complaints here.

Furnaces all run from hoppers, but some boilers do run direct from bin storage...and you say you have a lot of room.
Coal handling can be made easier through thoughtful planning.