What Is the Difference Between a Coal Stove & a Wood Stove?

Coal Stoves

• Coal stoves utilize anthracite coal as the "fuel" to generate heat. Anthracite coal is 100 percent carbon and is used in homes because it is considered as a "clean" fuel. Coal stoves come in two basic types: batch and hopper. Batch stoves are more traditional in that the user must manually feed batches of coal into the firebox compartment of the stove. Hopper stoves are more modern and convenient in that they automatically feed coal into the firebox so the stove produces heat continually.

Wood Stoves

• Wood stoves are available in two types: freestanding units and fireplace inserts. Freestanding units are often placed on top of a heat-tolerant surface such as a brick masonry base. Wood stoves can use wood logs or wood pellets to fuel the fire. All wood stoves are essentially "batch" operated in that you have to manually load the wood logs into the stove. You can also use coal on the bottom of the grate as a fire starter. Because wood stoves emit smoke, they require a chimney or stovepipe to vent the smoke outdoors. A door on the front of the unit is opened to allow the heat to vent inside of the room.

Similarities

• Some owners install an entire "total home" heating system with their coal or wood stove and use it as a sole source for heating. These systems include a cold air return, and a furnace fan and duct system to vent the heat into other areas. However, one thing that wood and coal lack that keeps them in competition with gas and electricity is the ability to incorporate a cooling system, which is possible with a central HVAC system. Despite that downside, coal and wood are gaining in popularity as consumers are seeking ways to reduce their energy costs and to avoid the fluctuations in the rates they pay for gas and electricity. Coal and wood offer options, solutions, and potential savings of up to 50 percent in comparison to the cost for heating with gas. New design choices and features that enhance convenience are helping to spark interest. Today's stoves look more like pieces of furniture than their bulky, black predecessors.

Differences

• Wood stoves have one capability that coal stoves don't offer: you can convert a wood-burning fireplace into a wood-burning stove if your chimney is adaptable. On the other hand, coal stoves offer more convenience features. You can install a hopper-style coal stove connected to a wall-mounted thermostat to adjust the temperature up or down, just as you do with a gas or electric heating system. There are also hopper units with remote controls for the thermostat. Replenishing fuel supply (whether it's coal or wood) is another difference that has economic implications. Wood can be purchased in a big cord quantity or on an as-needed basis. However, if you go with a coal stove, you need to prepare to buy coal in quantities of a short ton (which equals 2,000 pounds) or more in order to really maximize your savings.