Coalpail.com Forum

Ive been starting the boiler when I get home and run it all night. By mourning it is out which is fine for now. So last night I ran it heated the house, filled it before bed and shook it down. Got up around 5 shake down. Later in the morning a added a few scoops but not much. So far it was on all day and is currently on. My question is is it more efficient to leave it running because so far it seems like ive burnt less coal in 24 hours then I normally do.

Coal is a slow,long burning fuel which also makes it more efficient in long term use.Coal also likes a deep bed of 6 inches or more to burn long term. A shallow bed of coals is likely why you had it burn out overnite. I am not familiar with your unit but normal fill would be to the top of the fire bricks,if so equipped.

It will take more energy to heat the water back up, than it will to maintain it.

Yes it was shallow bed and I didn't shake it at all. I don't like leaving the house with a wood or coal fire burning but I think thats gonna change. I know it burns more to heat it then maintain. I burn about 40lb to bring the house from mid 60s to 72. When I get up in the am its about 70. Since I heated the house last night, I loaded it with 30 ish lbs and ive been on that all day. Doesn't seemed to have burned much. Even now the house is up to temp.

Yeah man, keep it lit and fill it to the top of the fire brick at each tending. Shake and load every 12 hours till you get a good feel for it. Shake ash out of the fuel bed till you see some red embers fall. Keep an eye on your water temp. It'll run a lot more happily if you keep it lit.

The problem with repeatably letting a coal fire go out, and then restarting it is the amount of partially burned coal that ends up lost in the ashes. You are much better off keeping the firebox full and shaking the ash only once per day, if the boiler is just idling. The other thing to consider is if it is cold enough to justify running the boiler at all.

I normally burn wood in it but if temps drop close to 30 then I switch it over to burn coal.

Another question which I don't know if you can help is, it has a firing controller that you adjust for boiler temp. I have a sheet that tells you the suggested temp of boiler at certain outdoor temps. Question is should I follow that or just maintain a certain temp? Im running it through a hot water air coil.