So I currently heat my house(1000sqft ranch with a full basement) with a Keystoker coal stove in the basement. We have electric baseboard that we use when the coal stove is not going. I usually go through 3 tons of coal a year and that's keeping the house at 72 on average. The coal stove is great and I can go 1-3 days between cleaning the ash pan and reloading the hopper depending on how its adjusted. My one complaint is that it's difficult to regulate the coal stove to the temperature swings. Either the house ends up being too hot and we're opening windows or I have to click on the heaters so I don't have to turn the coal stove up. I'm considering putting in a Fisher grandpa bear in place of the coal stove. It would be easier to get going and easier to regulate the temperature I believe. Especially during the shoulder season when you wanna just take the chill off. I have bilco door access to the basement and a wood shed behind the house, so bringing wood into the basement would not be an issue. My house holds heat pretty well so I believe even with the stove burning down throughout the day it will still be pretty comfortable by the time I get home. I'm curious to see how much wood I would burn compared to the coal stove. I'm curious to hear your opinions on the matter. Am I crazy and should just leave the coal stove in there? Put the Fisher in and save $750/year in coal and save on the electric bill? I have thick skin let me have it!
The fisher will put out a ton of heat but you will have to feed it much more often. I use a stove similar to a fisher except it has a baffle. Burn 5 cord a year in the basement of my cape style home in southern nh. It heats my home well but it’s a fair amount of work and I loose a fair amount to the concrete foundation. I would rather have the stove in the living area but it’s not in the cards right now.
Keep in mind, you can select the wood for the temperature. Maple on mild days and higher BTU is saved for the very cold.
Well, since this is a FIREWOOD forum, this might be a bit biased, however, I would go with the wood. You might have some temp swings, but wood can be bought or earned. You have a lot more flexibility for your sources and you can chose the difference in BTU's depending on the weather. Its very satisfying to gather your own wood if you go that route (some would say addictive) and the smell is a nice plus. It can be a lot of work, but there's something about seeing a stack drying knowing that if you have a power outage, you can still have heat and its right there in the back yard. This is just my opinion though.
Sounds like you've answered your own question. Never have burned coal here. Keep in mind the work involved with putting up wood. Can the coal stove burn wood too?
buZZsaw BRAD The coal stove cannot burn wood. The fire pot is only 8"x8". The negative about the coal stove is the power goes out...the stove goes out. Sinngetreu I know all about gathering and collecting fire wood. I heat my shop with wood and sell firewood. I currently have approx. 50 face cord cut split and seasoned.
I think a wood stove is in your near future! Do you think Santa can fit one down your current chimney? If so make sure the coal stove is out!
My girlfriend say's I have a problem! I've got 3 different wood sheds I rotate between. I just built this one behind my shop. It will hold 16 face cord. Plus another 4 cord on the pallets under the over hang.
What about adding a small wood stove on the main level for those days when you need just a little more?
It sounds like a decision may already have been made! I've burned wood and have burned coal but would always choose wood first.
Dude, take it from us...you NEED a wood stove! Never seen a coal burner with such a nice wood shed full of wood!
Coal is 25,000,000 BTU per ton Wood is approx 22,000,000 per cord 3 ton of coal is approx 3.4 cord of wood. Your fuel cost will increase by $100/year switching to wood . The only way you'll eventually recoup the price of the wood stove is if you lower your fuel cost on the wood by scrounging or cutting on your own property. You MIGHT save a few dollars IF your wood stove can be run in such a manner as to not overheat and save some fuel through regulating the temp swings better. Your ancillary electric heat bill could go up or down as well. I think I might only switch if I could source wood for a LOT less than coal. And that would include the probability of coal price increases. edit: I supposed one should also entertain and consider the cost of (proper) coal ash disposal
What I like about burning wood is if something were to happen and I can’t get oil or coal I can walk into my backyard and find fuel to keep my house from freezing without depending on others.
