Pellet Stove vs Coal Stove

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m8man

Moderator
Howdy all,

Any advice would be appreciated.

I was thinking about buying a stove and hooking it to my existing ductwork (forced air furnace system). I can't seem to find any that would do that.

Here is what I have now, I have LP gas heating a ranch type home(1700 sq ft on the main level) with a finished basement. In the basement I have a LP fireplace that I turn on to take the chill out. What I was thinking about was to put a stove on the main living floor of my ranch home (in the center) with a blower type motor to move the hot air around. I think they must come with a blower set up also.

I've researched these two types a bit and it seems like Harman is a good brand and we are home quite a bit and usually only leave during the day for work/school. Are they safe to have running while you're at work?

I don't think you need a chimney just some direct power venting maybe. At this rate, instead of filling my propane tank again, I might be able to put something in for a few grand.

if anyone has one please let me know what your thoughts are.

chris
 
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Woodtic

Active member
I'm not sure how much room you have near your LP furnace? They sell a wood burning furnace that would go next to the LP furnace. You can run either furnace on the same duct work. Running the stack could be a challenge. The pellet stoves are slick and very safe. You can also buy pellets in bulk up your way.
 
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Bradzoo

Active member
I believe in michigan you have to have a separate chimney for an add on furnace, I have a wood/coal add on with a separate chimney that is hooked into my duct work with a thermostat controled blower that I've been running for about 14 years and I really like it, my sqft is about the same but my basement is a walkout, when it gets really cold both furnace's run but natural gas bill is way lower than running without it. I just burn wood in mine

Bradzoo
 
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anonomoose

New member
I am not sure, but I think that the flue gases are too hot to run a forced exhaust type unit. Add on furnaces are everywhere these days.

In my younger years, I ran a barrel stove in the basement, and opened the rear of the furnace and stepped the blower switch to run as when the A/C is going. It did a decent job of circulating the heat in the basement to the whole house. When the temps got below zero, I stoked it up and the furnace would shut down and not run. The energy department got suspicious and sent a couple guys around to see if I was by-passing the meter. They saw the pile of wood and asked if I was "using that" and I said, yep....they got back into the truck and went away.

It works, was cheap if you could get the wood cheap enough and the thing I liked about it most was that if you were outside, you have a central point to go and warm up when you came in. Nothing quite like it. Of course safety is important and you always have to be sure the kids stay away from it, to prevent being burned.
 
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Woodtic

Active member
Yes,you must run a second stack with the add on. The other option is to add a 220v elect duct coil to your furnace. They are very cheep to buy and install. If you need to upgrade your elect panel,it may not be worth it.
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
Keep in mind, his furnace is an LP High efficiency unit which is power vented, no chimney, as such, for him to put in an "add-on" wood unit, he would have to have a chimney constructed. I don't know if one can connect a pellet stove as an ''add-on" utilizing the existing duct work or not, but I do know one thing for certain, a Barrel Stove is an absolute NO GO.-Mezz
 
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polarisrider1

New member
Pellets are safer to use, but you become at the mercy of pellet prices and fluctuations. Note: Call your insurance company and add the unit you buy to the policy. Yes your premiums will go up. But if house burns down and you don't have it on the policy the Insurance will be not so nice in a fire claim, as a matter of fact they will forget your name.
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
PR1, I agree, pellets are a safer product, and as I am sure you're aware price fluctuations will happen with pellets, coal, body wood etc.... Ironically, he did call me to ask for some advise & believe me, I would never forget my customers name LOL! Who were we talking about again? Oh yeah, Mr. G, personally, I wood go the pellet stove route & put up ceiling fans up to help circulate the warm air through out the house.-Mezz
 
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m8man

Moderator
I'm in luck I have multiple ceiling fans but just no balls to go out and get one when it's this damn cold. This winter is actually getting to me. I use to love snow but this cold crap gotta go.

m8man
 
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Woodtic

Active member
I think the pellet stove is the way to go. I picture your house being in town. Storing and staging the amount of wood you would need to get through the winter, could also pose a problem! The good news is,I sent Mezz a pm. Your bud may get a new customer.
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
Woodtic said:
I think the pellet stove is the way to go. I picture your house being in town. Storing and staging the amount of wood you would need to get through the winter, could also pose a problem! The good news is,I sent Mezz a pm. Your bud may get a new customer.
Click to expand...
He is well out of town & could actually store many truck loads of wood, but, like most of us working stiffs, don't have enough time in a day to do all of that extra work. BTW Woodtic, I did get your PM & responded.-Mezz
 
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