Hi all,
I'm new to coal and have been doing a lot of online research to try and decide on a heating system for my new camp. The camp will be empty for most of the winter however I would still like to keep it heated at a lower temperature (say 50*F) throughout that time. I travel a lot for work and stoking the stove 2-3 times a week will not usually be a problem. I would try to heat mostly with the coal, but by not living there at this time it wouldn't be possible to heat with coal exclusively. My best estimate would be that it would be a 75:25 to 80:20 ratio of coal operation to oil. I called today and prepay for oil was $5 a gallon and propane was $4 a gallon while coal is $290 a ton. So finally my question. Since I will be relying on my oil more than most people using the combo unit, will the combo unit be worthwhile or should I just go with two seperate boilers, one oil, and one coal? I have heard people say that the efficiency of the oil burners in the combos are not that good since the firebox is so large. Also this is a completely new install and I do need oil there one way or another (or gas) since I will not be able to tend to the stove at all times. Therefore the cost of a tank and associated piping and such will be encountered either way and for the most part the only cost difference will be the oil boiler. Thanks in advance for any help.
Mike
I'm new to coal and have been doing a lot of online research to try and decide on a heating system for my new camp. The camp will be empty for most of the winter however I would still like to keep it heated at a lower temperature (say 50*F) throughout that time. I travel a lot for work and stoking the stove 2-3 times a week will not usually be a problem. I would try to heat mostly with the coal, but by not living there at this time it wouldn't be possible to heat with coal exclusively. My best estimate would be that it would be a 75:25 to 80:20 ratio of coal operation to oil. I called today and prepay for oil was $5 a gallon and propane was $4 a gallon while coal is $290 a ton. So finally my question. Since I will be relying on my oil more than most people using the combo unit, will the combo unit be worthwhile or should I just go with two seperate boilers, one oil, and one coal? I have heard people say that the efficiency of the oil burners in the combos are not that good since the firebox is so large. Also this is a completely new install and I do need oil there one way or another (or gas) since I will not be able to tend to the stove at all times. Therefore the cost of a tank and associated piping and such will be encountered either way and for the most part the only cost difference will be the oil boiler. Thanks in advance for any help.
Mike
