Cost - Anthracite coal costs a lot less than wood pellets per unit of heat (BTU). A pound of Anthracite coal has almost twice the heat as a pound of wood pellets, therefore pellets have to be almost 1/2 the cost of Anthracite coal to be at the same cost per unit of heat. The cost of pellets would have to drop to $100/ton to be equal to the cost per unit of heat (BTU) of Anthracite coal that cost $180/ton.
Heat Output - Reading Anthracite Stoves are capable of putting out twice as much heat as most pellet stoves. Reading Stoves are rated at 70,000 BTU/hour, but most pellet stoves are rated below 35,000 BTU/hour.
Availability - Last year there was a shortage of pellets. Many people had trouble finding pellets and when they did they cost as much as oil, per unit of heat (BTU). Heet, Inc guarantees a reliable supply of anthracite coal.
Predictable - Anthracite coal has increased in cost at less than the rate of inflation over the last 20 years, but pellets have doubled in price in the last three years alone.
Low Maintenance - Reading Stoves can operate continuously from Fall to Spring without having to be cleaned. Pellet stoves on the other hand have to be shut down and cleaned at least once a month.
Convenience - Anthracite coal is sold in bulk (loose) or bagged and can be stored outside without the weather affecting it.
Value - Reading Stoves cost less than the same size pellet stove.
Clean - Anthracite coal burns as clean as natural gas and heating oil which allow you to use a power vent instead of a chimney at a fraction of the cost.
Reliability - Anthracite coal has been used for home heating for over 150 years and generates almost twice the heat per pound as wood pellets, corn, and other grains.
Safety - Anthracite stoves use negative pressure which reduces the chance of gases escaping into your home if a leak develops. Some pellet stoves use a pressurized system to blow the gases outside of the stove which can push those gases into your home.
