Cost to Add HW Radiator Heat
We need to replace the heating system in the four-story single family brownstone (with a 18 x 40 ft. footprint) we’re buying. It currently has an oil furnace with forced air, but we’re interested in converting to a hot water radiator system with a high-efficiency gas boiler. We’re also replacing plumbing and electrical at the…
We need to replace the heating system in the four-story single family brownstone (with a 18 x 40 ft. footprint) we’re buying. It currently has an oil furnace with forced air, but we’re interested in converting to a hot water radiator system with a high-efficiency gas boiler. We’re also replacing plumbing and electrical at the same time, but not gutting the house, so the plaster walls would need to be opened and repaired. We have a center hall stair and 2 rooms per floor, so 8 cast-iron radiators total would likely do the trick. Any thoughts on a ballpark cost estimate or things to keep in mind?
Equally important as the correct sizing is the segmentation or “zoning” laid out.
Thankfully the recent availability and legality of PEX tubing for hot water systems makes everything less expensive.
you can contact us at pex at jerseydata.net
Buying a high efficiency boiler is one thing, getting it to operate at a high efficiency is in the design of the building, radiators and operating controls.
High efficiency comes from condensing flue gases.
Condensing flue gases comes from low fluid temperatures.
Low fluid temperatures come from low loads and radiators with large surface areas.
Low loads come from good building envelopes.
Controlling to low fluid temperatures during the entire heating season comes from using indoor/outdoor controllers.
Buying a high efficiency boiler without having it condense during the entire heating season is like keeping a thoroughbred in the stables during race season.
The professional designer will help you win the energy race.
Also depends on if you hire an engineering or HVAC firm to properly design and size the overall system. You can always get a plumber but typically they don’t know how to do heating calculations to properly select the boiler and other units for the system. Installation is a big variable.
Not so much the price of the equipment, the variables tend to be in installation. How much wall has to be opened, things like that.
Denton, Thanks for your response. What are some of the reasons the price would be on the low end vs. the high end?
35-50k