My oil boiler is going and I was looking into one of these new anthracite
boiler that have the duel fuel option. There is a company in my area called
complete heat in NH that has these units, but I was wondering if these are
all they are cracked up to be.

I don't mind empying the bin every day or two because I have to empty my
trash can every day. Is there anything beyond the emptying that could make
something like this a real hassle?

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?

On Sep 12, 10:27*am, Jordan wrote:
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?

I lived with coal, have you? Coal is dirty, stinky, sooty stuff. Go
visit someone that has a unit first and see for yourself.

Jordan wrote:
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.

Size has little to do with clogging. Most of it simply involves how much
rock you bought with the coal. Where I grew up anthracite coal was by
far the most common heating fuel. Back then the few suppliers became
more and more dishonest and each time you would get more rock. They use
an old, inexpensive and well known process to separate the coal so there
is no technical excuse. It got so bad that the fire in our stoker would
often go out in the middle of the night and as time went on the ash can
became heavier and heavier. A natural gas utility came to town and
lots of folks happily left trying to burn rock.

A couple friends have various versions of stoker stoves and they say it
is the same thing today so the main issue is finding a supplier who will
sell you just the coal.


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?

Jordan wrote:
Actually, the anthracite is noted for its cleanliness compared to
standard coal. ...

The operative words there are "compared to".

Again, all of your questions revolve around the particular unit of which
you've provided no specifics so nothing specific can be said. Some are
well-designed and built, others not so much.

As for the fuel cost/savings, what is the bagged cost, not the bulk
rate/ton would probably be better for comparison.

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