Coal as a Home Heating Fuel
Coal can be a viable option for those folks who live within a few hours
drive of Pennsylvania's Anthracite (hard coal) mines. This hard coal is
packed with an enormous amount of energy. Coal stoves usually can burn longer
on each fuel load than woodstoves and they provide a more even and controllable
heat. Coal is also "American Made."
Pennsylvania Anthracite coal is very clean burning and produces no visible
smoke or creosote. However, the mining of coal can produce some negative
effects on the environment. Coal is not renewable (at least not without
waiting a few million years).
Coal is most efficient when burned in freestanding stoves. Some stoves
are "dual-fuel" and capable of burning both wood and coal.
Maintenance--Coal Stoves-- Coal stoves produce no creosote or tar,
and the chimney and smoke pipe will usually only contain a white or brown
fine ash coating. It is important to clean the coal stove,smoke pipe and
chimney immediately following the burning season as this ash can be quite
corrosive when combined with the heat and humidity of the spring/summer.
How Long will they last? A quality coal stove could easily last ten
years or more. Coal burns much hotter than wood, so it should be common
to replace coal grates and liners over the years.
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