HVAC vs. Radiator

Seeking advice about HVAC vs RADIATOR heat for a center slope 3-story brick renovation. Looking to cut costs as we review contractor bids, one of the items in our plan is new duct work for HVAC: 2 heating/cooling zones (2-family), shared ducts and equipment for air conditioning and humidified forced hot air heat. We really love this idea, but our budget is calling for cuts. We feel its a real value to have the system put in, less for the AC and more for the humidified hot air. (I’ve visions of waking up with a crusty nose to refill the bowls of water on the radiators, not to mention the ear plugs I will need to shroud the deafening whistle and knocking when the heat kicks on) What do others advise? One idea is to install AC but leave radiators for heat, which to me seems like a job half-done.

By Brownstoner |