Forum Archive

The boiler in a brownstones that we will be totally renovating in about 6 months broke down yesterday. It was a steam system and we were planning to replace the boiler anyway. The house is empty and consists of a cellar and 3 floors. Here are the issues:: 1. The pipes were drained and flushed with pressure air. Should we worry about freezing residual water? (All the kitchens and bathroom pipes will be replaced anyway) Could the (relatively new) water main burst? Next: We are planning to have central A/C installed on all floors and thought about central forced hot air heating; however, we are shying away from this based many of the positive things we have read on Brownstoner and elsewhere regarding keeping the radiators. The plumber that flushed the pipes told me (for the most part) that steam systems stink and I should get a hot water system because it can be zoned, and also used for the radiant heat flooring we are planning for the cellar. True? Can the same 100 year old radiators be used for both systems?

Any idea of the cost differences between adding the equipment for central heat to the central A/C system, verses the new equipment, etc, for a hot water system?

Thank you for your input.