Actually, the anthracite is noted for its cleanliness compared to
standard coal. In fact, one of the selling points the dealers in the
area (NH) are using is how you can rub it in your hands and not get
all sooty like clump coal. This is in rice form smaller than pellets
so it won't clog up supposedly.

There also seems to be no issue getting the anthracite because I have
seen it selling in numerous places for about $275 per ton. I believe
that is 40 lb bags and I "hear" (which does not mean much) that these
types of systems are supposed to use about a bag or so a day in the
winter.

Winter in New England can be about 150 days so I am estimating about 4
tons for a total of $1,100 for winter heat compared to the almost
$3,600 I am going to pay for the 1,000 gallons of oil @ $3.60 or
more. Cost comparitively I am going to save about $2,000 + at least
in fuel.

What I don't know is whether or not I can just throw the ash in the
trash. Do systems like this break down a lot compared to my oil
boiler that has only had a service call once in the past 10 years. Do
I have to sweep the chimney yearly or something compared to only doing
it every few years with the oil. How about tune ups.

I know the sales guy is going to tell me how it is the best thing
since sliced bread, but what I don't want to do is overlook all the
hidden costs just to come out in the end to save about $500 a year.
Yes, to save $2000 a winter is great and well worth tying up the
storage space and lugging a bag over to the hopper once a day for just
a few hundred is not.

Does anyone have any experience with a unit like this?