Coal Boilers

About Coal Gun Coal Boilers

Coal Gun boilers are designed to be the ultimate boiler and need only minimal seasonal upkeep. Designed to be long-lasting, many of our units are into their fourth decade of operation.

Each Alternate Heating System’s Coal Gun is made from premium materials by our skilled, dedicated team. Each unit is tested thoroughly before leaving our facility to make certain it meets our high standards of quality. In fact, we guarantee that our product has no issues in materials and craftmanship*. Each Coal Gun comes complete with the necessary controls required for safe operation. The standard equipment includes an insulated boiler jacket, totally enclosed induction and grate motors, operating, dump, and high-limit aquastat, Thermo ash-regulating control, pressure relief valve, ash pan, and hopper with lid.

Our Coal Gun boilers are one of the longest-lasting heating appliances. The AHS devotion to high standards results in a lengthy boiler life and years of trouble-free performance. The main thing is that a premium-made AHS Coal Gun will save you both time and money in your heating application.

How It Functions

Anthracite coal is loaded into the hopper and flows into the coal pot (firebox). The draft fan pulls the air up through the fire thus creating the extremely hot fire. The hot exhaust along with some fly ash are pulled into our signature Swirl Chamber heat exchanger. The draft fan spins the ash and hot exhaust around in the heat exchanger which allows more heat to be pulled out of the exhaust and the swirling fly ash will actually scrub the heat exchanger allowing the Coal Gun to maintain its efficiency all season. The cooled exhaust gas enters the cyclone ash separator from our Swirl Chamber, where the rest of the coal ash is taken out.

As the grate removes the ash from the bottom of the fire fresh coal is fed by gravity on top of the fire. Anthracite coal does not cause creosote or emit any smoke!

Consumption of Fuel

There are a number of factors that can affect how much coal is used such as the type of installation, climate, and building construction. Because of its high efficiency, our Coal Gun uses less fuel than other units on the market and will greatly lessen your yearly heating costs.

Thermo Ash-Monitoring Control

All Coal Gun boilers are equipped with the Thermo Ash-Monitoring Control which gives optimum utilization of your fuel. The Thermo Ash-Monitoring Control instantly regulates the temperature of the ash leaving the coal pot. Once it reaches the set temperature it allows the grate to operate dumping the ash until it senses the increased temperature of the unburnt coal. No adjustment from the factory setting is typically necessary to have the boiler perform at peak output throughout the entire burn season (a minor on-site adjustment may be necessary when the boiler is first installed). With the Thermo Ash-Monitoring controlled grate, the fire can remain lit for days during low use periods.

Limited Warranty

Alternate Heating Systems boilers and furnaces are warranted from issues in materials and workmanship for the given time:

• Boiler Vessel – 20 years pro-rated
• Grate S130/S260 -Lifetime
• Grate S500/S1000 – 12-months
• All other components both manufactured by Alternate
  Heating Systems and purchased from vendors will
  vary in length of warranty from 30 days to 1 year

A copy of the complete warranty text, detailing coverage, limitations, warranty claim procedure and state law rights is available from Alternate Heating Systems.

Domestic Coil

This Domestic Coil offers a 100° F rise at 5 gallons per minute, 50° water inlet temperature, and 65 PSI water pressure. It is threaded into a 4 IN NPT fitting on the boiler.

Warnock Hersey Certification

WH certification is available on every Coal Gun boiler for an extra charge. This certification assures that the boiler complies with UL 2523 Standards. Some insurance companies may need this certification and it is the liability of the homeowner to decide the need for a WH certification on any boiler purchased.

Auger Loading

The S500 and S1000 Coal Guns come equipped to control an auger that will automatically feed the boiler’s hopper.  This is especially significant on these larger models, as higher demand for heat requires more constant filling. Auger add-ons have both automatic and manual settings for regulating coal reserves.

4″ or 6″ Diameter

Your choice of diameter will rely on the load size and cleanliness of coal. If your coal generally has debris, like wood chunks, a 6″ auger would be suggested. Auger length can be made-to-order per requirements.

Auger Inlet Gaurd

An auger inlet guard gives the inlet of the auger support and keeps the screw off the ground. These inlet gaurds are made of 304 stainless steel which will never rot or rust out.

Low Water Cutoff

A Low Water Cutoff senses the water level in the boiler’s vessel and will shut the unit down if the water level falls to a dangerous level.