November 2013 Coal Consumption

I'm projecting that I'll burn about 1,370 lbs. this November. 260 lbs. more than the 1,110 lbs. that got me through last November. An increase of 22.5%

HDD's measured here last November = 815

Projected HDD's here this November = 830

How do you know how much coal you are "supposed" to burn? I burned through almost 6,000 lbs of coal last year. I have a 1700 square foot log home and know that I am using too much coal. It was installed in 2009 and I've been running it myself since 2010. I had the chimney relined with the pipe insulation, vacuum it a few times during the time it runs and it's my only source of heat I choose to use. I know this is an open ended question, but really could use some feedback please!!!

Loghomegirl wrote:How do you know how much coal you are "supposed" to burn? I burned through almost 6,000 lbs of coal last year. I have a 1700 square foot log home and know that I am using too much coal. It was installed in 2009 and I've been running it myself since 2010. I had the chimney relined with the pipe insulation, vacuum it a few times during the time it runs and it's my only source of heat I choose to use. I know this is an open ended question, but really could use some feedback please!!!

I track the daily high and low temperature projections for my area on Accuweather's monthly chart, and from the daily highs and lows I calculate (via a spreadsheet) the projected monthly total of HDD's (heating degree days). I know how much coal I typically burn per HDD, so once I know the total of HDD's, I also know about how much coal I should burn.

6,000 lbs. of coal per season sounds great. I burn closer to 9,500 lbs. per heating season.

I am definitely down this year. Started the Keystoker 90 11 days later this year. Last year used 5690 lbs. I always target 6000 lbs per year and over the years the left overs pile up, and that is what I am burning this year, need the room in the shed the left overs are taking up. 14000 lbs under a tarp in the yard. The stove is the only heat source turned on, heating 1100 sq ft to 68/69 degrees, and the basement same size heated to 72/73 degrees 24/7.

In the first 45 days of this season of heating,my
AA-130 consumed about 1500 lbs.

I finally fixed my coal consumption/tracking database. It went wonky halfway through last season and I had to keep track on paper

My Season-to-Date consumption for the past five seasons is attached. A little warmer this season, but not too much. Getting colder lately. But, it seems that I am burning more efficiently (or something) since the pounds burned is equal to the number of heating degree days so far. Much better ratio. I'm wondering if I can keep that up for the whole year.

Loghomegirl wrote:How do you know how much coal you are "supposed" to burn? I burned through almost 6,000 lbs of coal last year. I have a 1700 square foot log home and know that I am using too much coal. It was installed in 2009 and I've been running it myself since 2010. I had the chimney relined with the pipe insulation, vacuum it a few times during the time it runs and it's my only source of heat I choose to use. I know this is an open ended question, but really could use some feedback please!!!

There's no quick, easy answer to that one, I'm afraid. Just experience. I know that I felt like I burned too much the first couple of years but I think that that was because I had to carry it around. I generally burn between 5,500 and 6,000 per year in a similarly sized house.

I've revised my coal consumption downward from '1.55 x HDD's' to '1.43 x HDD's'.

I cannot find my run-time meter reading from Nov 1st. Guess I will have to use December to see how it compares to last year.

Last year down here Nov. was 735 HDD, this year is projecting to be 696.

Unfortunately, I quantify my coal usage at the end of the heating season.

I've also moved in some more folks, so I'm keeping the heat up and using a lot more DHW. This year will have to be a new baseline.

Thanks everyone- your posts were helpful. Not sure if this the correct forum to ask about blowers. How long should the motor last, on average? I really like heating with coal, just a lot to learn!

Keep it lubed and clean, and it should last forever .... but, this is 2013 ... so it's a crapshoot. Maintenance definitely helps, though.

I just topped off, and my final November figures are now in:

852 HDD's for November

1,331 lbs. anthracite pea consumed for November

If I allow 120 lbs. of coal (4 lbs. per day) being used to supply the months daily average DHW demand, that leaves 1,211 lbs. of coal to heat the house.

1,211 lbs./852 HDD's = 1.42 lbs. per HDD for November

Previously (and in a different thread) I had calculated that my homes heat demand factor is 0.00068 lbs. of coal burned per square foot per heating degree day, for effectively 2,100 sq-ft being heated.

This calculates to a theoretical 0.00068 x 2100 x 852 = 1,217 estimated lbs. of coal to heat our home for November. 1,211 lbs. actual vs. 1,217 lbs. theoretical is a pretty good check. One of the best checks I've come across.

Larry...
You are right on track then for your anticipated usage it seem....
All I know is the colder it is outside...the more coal I seem to use...idk

...but likewise...this November seemed to be colder than last year for sure.

Loghomegirl wrote:How do you know how much coal you are "supposed" to burn? I burned through almost 6,000 lbs of coal last year. I have a 1700 square foot log home and know that I am using too much coal. It was installed in 2009 and I've been running it myself since 2010. I had the chimney relined with the pipe insulation, vacuum it a few times during the time it runs and it's my only source of heat I choose to use. I know this is an open ended question, but really could use some feedback please!!!

Hi, where are you? If you fill in your profile on the board index we'll have a better idea of what weather you are facing. Does your stove have a barometric damper on the black pipes? Tells us a little more about your set up, maybe one of the coal wizards here on the forum can tell you a way to squeeze a little more heat out of your setup. We really like pictures in you have any. Welcome to the forum, Lisa