As a fuel source, anthracite coal has many
distinct advantages over its better-known
alternatives-gas, oil, electricity, cord wood,
wood pellets, and propane:
Quality
Its even heat flow and high level of
BTUs compared to other fuels, make
anthracite the warmest, most steady,
comfortable heat source available.
Convenient
Anthracite is very different from
coal-burning of the past. When
anthracite is used as the primary source
of heat in a home or business, its
modernized furnaces with coal-feeding
and ash removal systems require little
effort by the consumer. About ten
minutes a day during the coldest months
is all it takes to tend the furnace.
For supplemental heating via a coal
stove or fireplace insert, anthracite is
much easier to use than cord wood.
Unlike a wood stove which needs to be
refilled every 6 to 12 hours, a modern
anthracite stove heats evenly without
tending for up to 36 hours.
To make things even simpler,
anthracite is now pagkaged in clean
40-pound, poly bags. These bags have a
convenient handle and are ideal for use
with coal stoves.
Another bonus with anthracite is that
there is very little ash to be
disposed of. With coal there is no
creosote build-up in the chimney. Unlike
wood-burning fireplaces or stoves,
annual stove maintenance is minimal.
Environmentally Sound
Anthracite's low sulfur and high
carbon content makes it an extremely
clean-burning fuel. It produces
virtually no smoke or polluting
emissions, a major problem with wood
and wood pellet-burning stoves. In
fact, it is a good alternative to
wood stoves where wood burning is
restricted due to air pollution
problems.
Today, nearly all anthracite is
mined from previously mined and
damaged sites which were abandoned
many years ago. After re-mining is
completed, the areas are reclaimed
and restored to pre-mined condition.
Grass and trees are planted and
wildlife returns to the area.
Economical
Heat is measured in BTUs or British
Thermal Units. Using this
measurement as a
comparison, the cost of
anthracite can be significantly
lower than gas, oil, electricity,
cord wood, wood pellets, or propane.
Not the same as soft coal: Anthracite coal is not the same thing
that many folks think of when they think of
burning coal. The coal that many folks were
used to burning was called bituminous coal,
or soft coal. It typically came in bulk and
was stored in bins in the basement, and then
shoveled into furnaces or carried in hods to
at stove on the living level.
