When choosing an outdoor heater, make sure you keep in mind the type of fuels for outdoor boilers. At Alternate Heating systems, our Coal Gun outdoor boiler is perfect for those looking to save on money and time. It operates on 2,000 lbs of coal and it has an automated feed and ash pit system. This means that it can ‘autopilot’, and the user does not need to spend night and day to watch over it. The type of fuel your outdoor furnace runs on is going to be a big factor in your operating costs and environmental impact. In this article, we will introduce the fuel that is most suitable for the coal gun outdoor boilers.
Anthracite Fuel
The Coal Gun outdoor stoker boiler requires Pennsylvania’s anthracite fuel. It has the ability to emit sufficient heat for an entire residence up to 9,000 sqft. It is also cheaper than traditional oil or gas systems by at least 50%.
The outdoor Coal Gun is the only automated outdoor residential boiler. To illustrate how Anthracite coal works, it is loaded into a large hopper which feeds into the coal pot which contains the fire. The draft fan moves the air through the system, increasing the temperature of the hot fire. The draft fan’s turbulence causes the ash to spin and scrubs the heat exchanger, which optimizes efficiency all season. The good thing is that Anthracite coal does not emit any smoke!
One additional thing to ensure that the Anthracite Fuel is optimized, we use a Thermo Ash-Monitoring Control. It detects the ashes’ temperature and ensures that the ashes will not be thrown away till the optimal temperature is reached.
Wood Fuel for Outdoor Boilers
Wood logs are a classic fuel for outdoor boilers. If you live near wood resources and own the space to store logs as well as a chain saw and splitter, collecting wood yourself is a great option. As it has a high moisture content, wood needs a place to season – or dry out – to reduce moisture content so it can produce energy at the highest efficiency without creosote build-up. While collected wood is free except for your cost of labor, they require about 10 – 24 months to dry so you would require a big storage space.
If you don’t have access to free wood or want to avoid the labor, you can buy it through local dealers, but this can be an expensive option depending on your area. To avoid paying high fees for wood, explore the wood costs in your area compared to other fuels to see if a wood burning outdoor furnace is the right option for you.
Fulfill Your Fuel Needs with Alternative Heating
Alternate Heating Systems are heating specialists in the residential and commercial space. We provide high-quality, custom heating solutions and we can give you personalized advice on the best fuel type for you.