Forum: Heating
February 28, 2008
I hate force hot air heat -
Anyone have - or better still solve a similar problem:
I live in a old farmhouse (built approximately 1880's) the house has been insulated (probably not as well as it should be). As previously mentioned I have forced hot air heat and hate it. It is either too hot or too cold. And it is always very dry in the house. I know better insulation will help, I have also invested in a humidifier but other than that - anyone else battle forced hot air and won???
February 27, 2008
How to purge air from heating system?
We have radiant heat & are finding that the pipes still have air bubbles that are trapped in a few spots. Beyond flushing air out by pushing more water in at street pressure (through & out to the sump), are there any other tricks for removing all the air? I am finding that just pushing water through is probably effective but is very very slow and am wondering if there is a better way...
Should I get a plumber to do this? Is there any particular equipment that helps?
February 24, 2008
Heating sysytem replacement
We currently have an oil-fueled steam heat in our 2-family brick house. We live in lower level (garden + basement) and we rent out upper level. Since we're not very happy with the steam heat system (expensive fuel, stinky furnace, eneven heat, loud & noizy radiators, etc.) and our floor needs to be re-done, we started thinking about radiant heat for both basement & garden level. We've been reading about radiant heat at Brownstoner recently, and it sounds much cleaner & cost efficient. But, does it make sense to give upper level a different heating system? Since they have beautiful hard wood floor, we want a system that requires least amount of destruction. We're thinking that we get radiant heat system with new floor, and give renters a water-heater system. What do you all think? How big of a job is it to remove the current steam heat system? How much would it cost, approximately? Any advice/input is appreciated. Thank you!
February 21, 2008
auto pilot light steam heat
so today i woke up and my pilot on my steam heating system is out. it is an auto lighting pilot, so i followed all the directions and it stll does not ignite. it just clicks clicks clicks..i've done it 3 times so far and waited 20 minutes between attempts. Any thoughts on why this would not work? the area where you could manually light the pilot is blocked off (because it's supposed to be). Plumber time?
February 18, 2008
Heating Recs for Gut Reno
Definitely going hot water, but is there a way to get benefits of hot water without space consuming and unsightly aspects of a radiator.
Probably don't want radiant because while sounds great, don't want any future issues with wood floor expansion, leaking, etc.
Thanks.
February 15, 2008
Radiant Heat as Only Source of Heating in a North-Facing Room
Has anyone done that?
My kitchen faces north, has several windows and detached walls, and I am planning on having radiant heat in it. Will it be enough? Did you install a extra radiator in case? Do you need to use it?
Thanks all. Any advice is highly appreciated!
Ray
February 14, 2008
Cold apartment
Since December I’ve been calling my landlord and telling her the apartment is too cold. It ranges from 65 to 68 degrees during the day and 63 degrees at night. We live on the top floor of a brownstone. It’s a two-bedroom apartment with only two radiators; one in the kitchen and one in the larger bedroom. The second bedroom has no heating source. The heat does work but it is very weak. Only the top of the radiator gets warm, the bottom half never heats up. Before any of you landlord’s chime in with your “68 is warm enough” imagine waking up freezing at 3am and unable to get warm. It’s not a lot of fun.
As of yet my landlord’s one and only response is “I’ll take a look at it” but nothing ever changes. The boiler looks ancient but other apartments in the building are heated fine (in fact the apartment on the ground floor has turned one of their radiator’s off and opened their windows). So, my question is; is it the radiators? Can they be replaced? I think they are full of decades worth of gunk but I’ve read they can’t be bled. It’s one of those boilers where you have to turn a water valve to keep it full and working. I know it leaks because every couple of weeks it gets empty and the heat goes off in the entire building. I know the landlord is concerned about having any contractors or inspectors in because the building hasn’t been inspected since 1986 (I know this because that was the last time an inspector signed the building certificate posted in the hallway). She’s also done lots of hidden construction (turning one apartment into two, closing off doorways) which would cause some problems too. She’s not a bad person but I don’t think she knows what she’s doing when it comes to the heat (if, in fact, she’s doing anything besides giving me lip service and taking my $2700 every month).
Anyone done radiant heat?
Hi all:
I'm going to be embarking on a gut rehab of a South Slope brick home, and was thinking of doing radiant heat, as the floor is in bad shape and has to be replaced anyway.
Anyone done similar? Happy with the results? How much per sft?
February 12, 2008
Individual Gas Heating Units
I am renovating a brownstone with four rental units. I am going to switch from oil to natural gas for the heat and hot water. I am considering installing individual natural gas furnaces and gas meters for each rental unit. Programmable thermostats will give tenants direct control over their heating costs. Has anyone had any experience with installing such units? I have been quoted significantly different prices by two plumbers for the heating units themselves. I am curious what others have paid for these units and for the labor (per unit). The brands I am considering are Weil-Mclain, Goodman, and Trane. Does anyone have any knowledge about the quality of these brands? Thanks in advance for your helpful comments.
February 7, 2008
Finding information about “5500 heater”.
I have a problem with the 5500 heater. I want some information and System about heater.
If you have some information about this subject so please share with me thanks.
February 5, 2008
Water Heater Replacement
My 75 gallon gas water heater is at its end - rusty bottom and starting to leak. I have a gas boiler (Weil-McClain. I have an account with KeySpan and asked about Keyspan programs today. I learned that I can get either:
* an AOL Smith Water Heater; 10 yr. manufacturer's warranty; cost & installation $1470
* an American Water Heater; 12 yr. manufacturer's warranty; cost & installation $1,050 (includes a promotion discount):
Keyspan then comes in, does the work and takes out the old heater and leaves it at the curb, or for an add'l $75 will cart it away. There doesn't seem to be any wait time at all for the water heater replacement: and they can do it on Mon-Fri, Sat.
I also asked about indirect water heaters, but was told that if I don't currently have it, I would need to install a brand new boiler. I think that our boiler is just fine. Darn...I was interested in the high efficiency.
And I'm not interested in an on-demand tankless water heater, since it seems like I'd need to figure out/install another vent?
There is also an annual boiler & water heater maintenance program that is approximately 90% parts (inlcuding a thermostat, 24 hr, call hotline that is approx. $200 per year. I was told that a summer maintenance cold call is around $165 (no parts, no labor)!!
A construction friend told me the AOL are the best (what he has). So, I'm thinking about that option...
Welcome any thoughts, but also wanted to post this info for all...