Best coal boiler for hydronic in floor heating

Redkeck · Post by **Redkeck** » Mon. Feb. 18, 2019 11:39 am

Hello!! I’m new to the group. I have been burning coal in an Alaskan Gnome for 8 years. Love it!! I’m in the process of building a new home. I will be installing in floor heating in the 1800sqft main floor, full basement and 900sqft attached garage. We will have a propane boiler and the coal boiler. From what my hvac guy is telling me, in floor heating runs at 120°. Most everything I’ve seen or read shows everyone running the boiler at 160°- 180°. I’m looking at the Harmon VF3000, LL WL110 and Keystoker KA6. ( I have dealers withing a hour from my location. ) Any advice or experience would help. Thanks in advance.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Mon. Feb. 18, 2019 11:49 am

180*F water is PERFECT!
Returning water (cooler) gets mixed or blended into the boiler's 180 out going supply to be exactly 120*F water all day long...and you still have 180 for other hotter loops to use.

nepacoal · Post by **nepacoal** » Mon. Feb. 18, 2019 11:53 am

We love our Keystoker kaa-4. Proven design with great customer support. BTW, you still run the boiler at 160 to 180 but use a mixing valve to send 120 deg water to your in floor radiant runs. A modern, just built house with 6" walls can probably be heated with a 60 watt bulb or two, right?

Post by **StokerDon** » Mon. Feb. 18, 2019 12:41 pm

Welcome to the forum.

We don't know what part of the world you are in, but unless your climate is mild, I would not go with the WL-110 or the VF-3000. These units have smallish stokers and will struggle to push the temperature up in a radiant floor system of that size.

In my opinion, the Keystoker would be a better choice, but you should do a heat loss calculation so you can better understand how much heat your boiler needs to put out. I'd also like to mention that if you are going with a coal fired boiler you should use it to heat your domestic water too. This will require about 30,000 BTU on top of what the house uses.

I noticed that the stokers you have selected are all "hopper fed". In my opinion, if you are going with an automatic coal feed system, why would you want to fill a hopper every day or two?

One other pointer on new construction and coal boilers. Make sure your builder is putting up a chimney at least 8" id and more than 15 feet high or you will have draft problems no matter which boiler you choose.

-Don

Redkeck · Post by **Redkeck** » Mon. Feb. 18, 2019 12:54 pm

nepacoal wrote: ↑
Mon. Feb. 18, 2019 11:53 am
We love our Keystoker kaa-4. Proven design with great customer support. BTW, you still run the boiler at 160 to 180 but use a mixing valve to send 120 deg water to your in floor radiant runs. A modern, just built house with 6" walls can probably be heated with a 60 watt bulb or two, right?

How many tons do you burn in a season??

nepacoal · Post by **nepacoal** » Mon. Feb. 18, 2019 1:01 pm

I burn year around and used 6 tons each of the last two years and have used 4 tons so far this year. I have an un-insulated (brick/plaster) 1500 square foot, 1940 cape cod at 1900 feet elevation.

Redkeck · Post by **Redkeck** » Mon. Feb. 18, 2019 1:05 pm

StokerDon wrote: ↑
Mon. Feb. 18, 2019 12:41 pm
Welcome to the forum.

We don't know what part of the world you are in, but unless your climate is mild, I would not go with the WL-110 or the VF-3000. These units have smallish stokers and will struggle to push the temperature up in a radiant floor system of that size.

In my opinion, the Keystoker would be a better choice, but you should do a heat loss calculation so you can better understand how much heat your boiler needs to put out. I'd also like to mention that if you are going with a coal fired boiler you should use it to heat your domestic water too. This will require about 30,000 BTU on top of what the house uses.

I noticed that the stokers you have selected are all "hopper fed". In my opinion, if you are going with an automatic coal feed system, why would you want to fill a hopper every day or two?

One other pointer on new construction and coal boilers. Make sure your builder is putting up a chimney at least 8" id and more than 15 feet high or you will have draft problems no matter which boiler you choose.

-Don

I’m located in Central NY. I plan on putting the boiler in the basement close to the walk out. I don’t mind filling a hopper. But the thought of auto feed is nice. A chimney has been thought of. Thanks for the input!!

Phil May · Post by **Phil May** » Mon. Feb. 18, 2019 7:05 pm

The new DS boiler looks impressive. Go with an underfeed if it is in your budget. EFM 520 would handle your needs.

Redkeck · Post by **Redkeck** » Sun. Mar. 03, 2019 5:13 pm

Phil May wrote: ↑
Mon. Feb. 18, 2019 7:05 pm
The new DS boiler looks impressive. Go with an underfeed if it is in your budget. EFM 520 would handle your needs.

I have a DS dealer 20 minutes from me. I went down Friday and spoke with the guy. He has installed 8 in the past few years with zero complaints. He is going to set up a visit to see one in action. I really like how the domestic hot water is set up on them with the flange. No bolts to break, drill or tap. Priced at $7100 cash and carry.

David... · Post by **David...** » Sun. Mar. 03, 2019 5:37 pm

I have a hand fed boiler and one of my zones is staple up radiant. As has been said using a mixing valve can get you the appropriate water temperature.
Filling a hopper may be OK now, but could be less desirable as you get older.

David

Post by **CoalJockey** » Sun. Mar. 03, 2019 5:49 pm

DS stoker boilers are auger-fed, no hopper involved if you feed from bulk bin. Shoveling into a hand-fed boiler might be less desirable as you age as well.

Redkeck · Post by **Redkeck** » Sun. Mar. 03, 2019 7:27 pm

CoalJockey wrote: ↑
Sun. Mar. 03, 2019 5:49 pm
DS stoker boilers are auger-fed, no hopper involved if you feed from bulk bin. Shoveling into a hand-fed boiler might be less desirable as you age as well.

Agreed. I’ve done hand fed with wood/coal. Pain in the ass. Your tied to it every 12 hours. I would do a outdoor wood boiler. I have plenty of wood. 55 acres. But I do go out of town for work from time to time. Auger fed is the way to go.

lincolnmania · Post by **lincolnmania** » Sun. Mar. 03, 2019 7:42 pm

i should run and get one of those ds stoker boilers....i was quoted way less.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Sun. Mar. 03, 2019 9:19 pm

For Sure *lincolnmania*, run don't walk!!!

Redkeck · Post by **Redkeck** » Mon. Mar. 04, 2019 7:19 am

Well, what are you quoted?? Negotiation is the key to any deal.