Would a coal and wood burning stove be better than using my electrical heating system?

Question

I am thinking about buying a wood or coal burner for my home to cut back on the amount of electricity I use. Is it a good idea?

Answer 1

Only if you have a very cheap and steady supply of fuel for the stove. Also,,,, you must think of heat distribution. The stove will only heat one area. The electric furnace is connected to ducts the heat is distributed throughout the house.

Answer 2

Electricity is usually a very inefficient way to heat a home unless you are using radiant floor heating. Some wood stoves are very clean burning (the cleaner models use a catalytic converter) and can have a high BTU output. Plus, if you cut your own wood, a wood stove is a less expensive way to heat your home. Often, people will give you wood for free if you cut it and haul it away. Combined with techniques like using passive solar gain, a wood stove can keep your house comfortable in all but the most severe winters.

Answer 3

Coal and wood are more expensive in the long run I believe unless you have tree you can cut down yourself.  If you have to buy the wood it can get very expensive.

A bundle of wood is about $7 on average, and a bundle may only last a few hours.

Answer 4

If you have a small house then a coal or wood stove connected to your radiators would be ok to keep your house warm.  You would need a flue and it would take up more room than an electric boiler.  There may be fewer people who could service it than with an electric boiler.

Using coal and wood to heat your house properly (rather than just for an evening now and then) will involve constant refilling of the stove and emptying of the ash, which can be a pain if it's freezing cold and pouring with rain outside.

Answer 5

If wood and/or coal is available cheap,

(I'd expect so in Kentucky), you can save some money.

Do be careful though. Coal and wood burn differently,

and coal is known for producing toxic carbon monoxide gas

if the stove is not set up just right.

Get the thing set up by a Pro.

You won't be likely to completely replace your electric

heat, but you should save on the bills.

Answer 6

You will need proper ventilation since burning things in your house can release toxins into the air. Also, you will spend more money driving to pick up the fuel for the stove and you will need a place for storage.

So no, I think electricity will be cheaper and safer.