Steam heat and reno

I’m beginning a fairly comprehensive renovation on a 4 story brownstone. Currently it has a steam heat system which the previously seller said gave him no problems. My contractor thinks I should change to hot water since we’re opening up all the walls now.
Is it worth 20K to do this. Obviously it will cost more than that later if it proves to be necesary, but why would it be? Would hot water save money in the long run?

By hegelian | 04/22/2008 3:13 PM