Coal Heat | Construction and DIY projects | Forums

...we were at the Fair and there was a coal dealer there...hey-a stove with fire--I was all into that...The owner asked if I was interested in coal heat...I said...Nope, I have all the wood in the world and 5 chain saws, a few tractors, a trailer, a power splitter---why would I burn coal???

...then, this big guy was behind me and said to me "let me tell you about coal"--I thought--great another expert with 'advice', but I listened...glad I did...turns out this guy has been burning coal for 33 years (about 1.5 ton of anthracite)...we got talking and told him we were doing a new build and the size (1,250)...he asked how we were going to build it...I told him it was unconventional by doing this High Thermal Mass and earth sheltering and stuff...the guy laughed...okay I thought...he is an idiot...but I kept my ears open...turns out he built a 2,300 sq ft home with poured walls, bermmed, and south facing -- in 1977 --  and framed up the inside with 2x4 and put in 3.5 inch batts in walls and ceilings (and that is all he still has in the ceiling of this massive ranch)  so, not thermal mass advantage of the walls, just the floor which is mostly carpeted.....soooo, I thought I could learn something from this guy and it was good to not dismiss him...his wife came by and the 4 of us started talking...turns out they are both RN's like we are...we got invited to their home and It was basic and comfortable and warm on a 20 degree day with just a small coal fire ---and the stove was at the far end of the house...

Hey, you never know.  I was encouraged that his building performed so well even though he did not really make use of exterior insulation or exploit the interior thermal mass.