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December 29, 2006
Steam?/Hot Water?/Forced Air?
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.
Comments
I'm no expert, but, I'm pretty sure that a new furnace, for hot air, would cost less than a new boiler, for steam or hot water. Nevertheless, I'd want a lot more information before switching to hot air heat. My house has hot air heat, which works well and is VERY easy to maintain, but my previous apartment, which had hot water heat, certainly had more comfortable and even heat. Also, my understanding is that registers for heat and AC should be placed differently (low for heat, high for SC) so having existing AC duct work may not be an advantage
Posted by: Bob Marvin at December 29, 2006 12:31 PM
Another non-expert here, but here's what I know. I had forced air in a previous house and it was always so DRY, even with the system humidifier and another in our bedroom. Also, it heats up quickly, but then you lose the heat just as quickly. For forced air, you'll have to chop big holes in walls and floors or ceilings in order to run the ductwork. If you stick with hot water, you can use the same openings that are there from the steam system. One thing to consider is that not all antique radiators will work for hot water systems. The radiator needs to have an inlet and an outlet and the fins need to be connected top and bottom. Some steam radiators are only connected on the bottom and won't work with hot water systems.
Posted by: yente at December 29, 2006 4:47 PM
Again, I'm also no expert, but here's my humble opinion. I have had all 3 heating systems over the years (I'm 68)and presently have hot-air. The lowest cost ot operate and maintain is hot-air. True, it can be very dry, but a good, high output (15 to 20 gallons per day) humidifier mounted on the furnace gives the necessary humidity. Hot water can be good, but requires some care (it's not as trouble free as hot air). Examples: in a brownstone of 4 stories vapor-lock at the end-run radiators (top floor especially) is very common. Even with self bleeding valves (alsocalled "automatic" valves) vapor lock happens a lot; unless you install zone heating, it is very difficult to maintain an even temperature throughout the building; you must watch the circulator pump to be sure that water is circulating effeciently. Finally, with hot water heat you will have 2 pipes (supply and return) going through every room. Steam heat is an old system. It is not effecient (you have to heat the boiler up to steam - 212 degrees) and that alone costs a lot of money.
It is true that once the radiator gets hot it gives off residual heat, bu hey, you paid to heat those radiators up...there's no free ride.
Ah, here's the downside...if you don't have hot air ducts built into the walls, it may be difficult to add them, unless your're planning to open up the walls anyway.
I'm not a big fan of central air. It costs a lot to operate (remember that you're cooling-off the entire house all the time,even if certain areas are not occupied...bedrooms during the day, living room and kitchen at night, etc.) Room a/c's can cool-off selected areas, and if one unit goes it's easy to replace. With central air, it always seems that the main unit goes on the fritz over the July 4th weekend, and you can't get a service man until August 15th!
Please do lots of reading, and hope for the best!
Posted by: Ken at January 1, 2007 3:28 PM
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