HVAC-minisplits and boiler

Hi, thanks in advance for advice. I am preparing to renovate a 2 family three story limestone. It currently has two boilers and steam heat in the rental apartment and owner’s main floor. I am renovating the basement into a rec room. I am planning on installing a heat pump with mini-splits for hot and cold air for 1st floor and basement as well as solar on the roof. I had planned to leave the steam heat and boiler for the 2nd floor rental apartment and remove the steam heat for the ground floor, especially because the steam pipes make the ceiling difficult to drywall.

But…. so many posts and conversations make me think a hybrid system would be better for when its very cold. First, can someone point me to material that would help me evaluate what type of heat pump system can work for my house? Second, I really want to remove the steam pipes in the basement and the ugly baseboard heaters on the ground floor. Is it crazy to use the existing pathways to install a small hot water system with small horizontal radiators that will only be used in cold weather?

Thanks

luther924

in Heating and Cooling 3 years and 4 months ago

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silas | 3 years and 3 months ago

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> @colonialrevival
> radiators that fit all sorts of styles, that will all be much cheaper (and more comfortable) than running the mini splits as a primary heat source.
Not necessarily, OP said they are steam boilers which are nowhere near as efficient or cheep to run than a nice new hot water boiler. My Nat’l Grid bills have been a rude surprise with my new house’s steam system… I have to think running a heat pump woud likely be equivalent or cheaper.

@slope72 you’re one of few people I’ve seen who own to running a heat pump as the sole heat source. Was is part of a gut reno? Did you super-insulate the basement/walls/roof to make that work?

slope72 | 3 years and 3 months ago

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We have no boiler and rely entirely upon heat pump split units throughout our house. The system works pretty well overall. We haven’t had super cold weather this winter, but it has help up well on the coldest days.

lkrshacmzcy | 3 years and 4 months ago

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I would first schedule with a company for a walk through. You can find HVAC and Plumbing/Heating Companies or one that does both. Literature online can be a rabbithole if you are not trained

lkrshacmzcy | 3 years and 4 months ago

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I would first schedule with a company for a walk through. You can find HVAC and Plumbing/Heating Companies or one that does both. Literature online can be a rabbithole if you are not trained

Master Plvmber | 3 years and 4 months ago

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Every set of renovation plans I’ve seen in the past 5 years or so uses a water-based boiler system to provide radiant floor heating in some or all areas, radiators or convectors under large windows to keep them free of condensation, and then some type of cooling system that also includes backup heat via a heat pump or whatever else they’re able to do. you can remove the radiant floor heating to keep costs down but there’s nothing like the heat you’ll get from radiators during a run of 30°, 20°, 10° days.

colonialrevival | 3 years and 4 months ago

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There are plenty of lovely looking radiators that fit all sorts of styles, that will all be much cheaper (and more comfortable) than running the mini splits as a primary heat source.

luther924 | 3 years and 4 months ago

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One more thing, does one company do this or two (plumber/HVAC)?