Buying A Coal Furnace: Four Factors To Consider

Planning to purchase a coal furnace? There are several factors you need to consider before picking one up. During the winter months, we need to supply heat and hot water to our house, and while fuel is usually the number one choice to provide these resources, the price of fuel can be unstable – going up and down unpredictably. As such, it’s no wonder that people are turning to furnaces, particularly coal furnaces. However, as coal furnaces are not widely used, it can be difficult to find the right one if you’re buying a coal furnace for the first time. This is where Legacy Stove comes in. Continue reading as we go through the four factors you have to consider when it comes to buying a coal furnace for your home.

Various Types of Coal

There are currently two different kinds of coal available in the market: Bituminous and Anthracite. Bituminous burns quickly, produces a high heat value yet requires a lower combustion temperature. It is also cheaper than anthracite. However, bituminous is not as friendly to the environment. It produces smoke, soot, and creosote. On the other hand, Anthracite is a cleaner alternative that’s much kinder to the environment, and has more btus per pound, which means 1 pound of anthracite coal will heat more than 1 pound of bitumious. Even though it takes more time to fire this coal up, Anthracite does not release smoke, soot, or creosote.  As such, we highly advise using Anthracite coal.

Size And Cost of The Coal Furnace

Another crucial factor to consider is the size of the coal furnace. The size matters, as the coal furnace has to sufficiently support the size of your home. This is determined by its BTU usage, which can be affected by the house’s square footage, how well insulated the home is, and the climate of where the house is situated. Some coal furnaces are specially designed to provide heating throughout the year, such as Legacy Stove’s SF2500 which is suitable for homes in colder climates. We understand that everyone has a budget to adhere to, so cost should also be considered. At Legacy Stoves, our coal furnaces range in price from $4,861 to $6,247. We also provide our customers with a fuel oil backup option that bolts onto the furnace.

Is The Coal Furnace Compatible With My Heating System?

Your home’s current heating system should be compatible with the coal furnace. In order to utilize existing ductwork, some thought must be taken when installing the coal furnace in your home.  Hot water and heat can be acquired through coal furnaces as well.

Longevity of Coal Furnaces

Before buying a coal furnace, it is critical to understand how long a coal furnace can last. In general, Legacy Stove’s coal furnaces have a lifespan of up to 25 years. Do keep in mind that coal furnaces require servicing on a regular basis.