New House Coal boiler????

Jb#24

I am i Pa. and looking for answers on heating. House is Apprx 3,200 ft/2 looking into coal/wood with a back up. was looking into the combination units and this is why i have 2 chimneys. 1 for comb. unit and one for my fireplace. now my heating contractor said he pulled out a wood coal boiler and would install it for apprx $4,000 and then put in a electric backup?? I was planning on oil back up but I am on planning using mostly wood and coal so i am unsure if the back up is even a big deal?? Any hints would be greatly appreciated?????? Is $4000 for a used boiler installed a good price? The combination unit i was looking at was $6000 not installed but is only recomended for hard coal??

beenthere

Hope you have used wood and coal for heating before.

You know. That in PA, we are going to get a 40% rate hike in 2010(middle of this coming winter).

So electric back up may not be a great idea. If you are thinking of electric baseboard.

Guessing you don't go a way for the weekend often.

Jb#24

Beenthere, that was one thing i did not like about the electric back up on the furnace. I always thought of back up oil. I lived with coal/wood all my life and do not mind the little bit of work, just worried what to do now that i will have to live with my decision for a long time?? I just was concerned that the all the new furnaces (combinations that i looked at only used hard coal and such little ash pits) Thanks alot for your quick advice

hvaclover

COAL? UNGHHH!

I still remember the soot and cinders in the air as a toddler when coal heat was still plentiful here.

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