Replacement of old octopus gravity furnace: options, scope, cost?

The brownstone we bought has an old octopus gravity furnace. While we’ll probably not replace it immediately (I know it’s terribly inefficient), it would still be good to know what our options would be in terms of cost and scope. If at all possible I’d want to use the existing ducts rather than replacing them or having to install radiators, but the engineer who inspected our building thought that might not be possible. In any case, the less invasive the better. No real preference for oil or gas. Baseboard heating is a no go. Thanks in advance for any insights!

slightREobsession

in Heating 13 years and 9 months ago

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BobMarvin | 13 years and 9 months ago

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To clarify my first comment, all the ductwork in my cellar WAS replaced [with square ducts] when the forced air furnace was installed, but  they lead to the original ducts in the walls and the original registers.The only construction outside of the cellar involved cutting two holes in the front and back of the ground floor floor, for the return ducts, and in the kitchen floor for a new hot air register. I’m sure the work in the cellar WAS quite invasive, but not in the living space. Of course I didn’t actually see it–it was done in the mid-’60s, several years before we bought the house.

eman134 | 13 years and 9 months ago

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see link below
http://www.nachi.org/gravity-furnace-inspection.htm

BobMarvin | 13 years and 9 months ago

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It’s certainly NOT impossible to use the existing ducts [unless there are special, and unusual, circumstances in your house]. The forced air furnace in our house uses the original 1899 ducts,intended for the original gravity furnace, although return ducts were added and new duct work was run to the kitchen [which was originally heated by the coal-burning range]. Most  brownstones I’ve seen with replacement furnaces are pretty much the same. Perhaps new duct work and hot air registers would be more efficient but our heating bills are relatively low, so the original ducts and registers can’t be all that bad.