boiler on its last legs -- help me decide on the best heating option?

I have an old boiler that looks like it’s about to die soon based on corrosion levels. (Gas-powered.) Am thinking about eventually installing central air — if I do that, am I better off converting to forced heat at the same time? Trying to weigh the risk of the boiler going completely kaput in the middle of winter vs the pain of a potential sunk cost in a new boiler that we may eventually scrap if we go the forced heat route. Any insights?

dumbogirl

in Heating 10 years and 8 months ago

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bk1lnite | 10 years and 8 months ago

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I live in a house with forced air; previous house had hot water radiators. You didn’t say whether you have a hot water (hydronic) or steam system but I would never replace a hydronic system with forced air. Either way (hydronic or steam) I doubt it would be practical to replace your system with forced air unless it’s part of a major (gut?) reno. You can read about mini-spit systems, pros & cons here http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/ductless-mini-split-heat-pumps

dumbogirl | 10 years and 8 months ago

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Thanks for the recs, all! Mini-duct AC sounds intriguing. Is is less obtrusive than standard central air?

bkk | 10 years and 8 months ago

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I’m with Dave on this one, I don’t get the negativity towards forced air. Yes, there are small discernible differences in the way that each heat, but not in the stark contrast illustrated by some. If you’re planning on installing central AC, do your research up front because having a unit that supplies both heat and cool makes a lot of sense. I’ll also say that central air with traditional large ducts, especially in older construction houses, can be ridiculously cost prohibitive. You may do your research and find the only viable way to condition your house is through split units which do not need ducts (and thus less expensive). In this case keeping your existing boiler setup for heat would still work, while having the separate split unit setup for cooling. On a personal note, I think split units are ugly as sin both inside and outside the house, so check out a couple installations before you bite on the installation.

daveinbedstuy | 10 years and 8 months ago

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Speaking from the experence of owning, rehabbing an living in six different homes over the years (and rehabbing about 6 others as projects), I like my forced air systems as much as I like baseboard hot water (still have both). First, nothing beats central air, despite what klilly says and, it has tremendous resale value. Forced air heating can actually be quite beneficial in the winter as system humdifiers are now code in most sections of the country. When you feel the need for a day of some extra warmth you simply dial up the forced air thermostat and the heat is delivered, or the AC. Yes, radiator/baseboard heat is more consistent and quieter. All that said, it may be cheaper to just keep your boiler hot water system for heat if it is effieciently and appropriately designed for your house and then add a UNICO small duct sytem later or a split system (ugly) at a later date. But, to your real question, have you been having the boiler serviced regularly? If so, talk to them about it and see what they recommend about getting one more season out of it. Or get someone in to assess the situation professionally. That’s a hard question to answer.

klilly | 10 years and 8 months ago

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Forced hot air heat is the worst; it is very in efficient it is bad for your repertory system and it is cheap to install in new construction, which is why you see it in crappy condo’s, but actually expensive and ugly to install in older Brownstones. And personally after spending a fortune to install central Air in my current house, I would never do it again. I would rather go with separate A/C’s and ceiling fans. It is easier to control and cheaper to run and a whole heck of a lot cheaper to install and maintain. Just worry about getting a good new boiler for your current heating system (steam or hot water) and you have time to think about your A/C all winter.

eman134 | 10 years and 8 months ago

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I personally would never install a forced air heating system, but that is because I install gas boilers for a living. Forced air systems have poor quality heat imho, hence are referred to as “burnt air”. You find them in really crappy condos, since they are the cheapest thing to install. I f you can afford it consider a high efficiency boiler to replace your old unit…my contact info is in my profile