MilwaukeeTru
05-05-2012, 09:49 AM
I just purchased my first house a couple weeks ago. It is a 50 year old tri-level in the Milwaukee, WI area. There is one bedroom in the entry level, living/dining/kitchen on second, and four bedrooms on the third level. 2,000 sq. ft above grade. Additionally there is a 570 sq. ft. basement with laundry, tool bench and water/heat appliances.
The house is heated by a 26 year old gas boiler. It is a Burnham Series 2. Model number P-205-WI. There are two BTU ratings on it, I'm not sure what they mean, but here they are:
Water BTU/HR: 93,000
Input BTU/HR: 130,000
The second and third floors are heated by baseboard radiators, and the entry level has radiant heat in the floor. I think the basement is just heated by nature of having the boiler in it and radiating heat off all the copper pipes.
When I can get the money (in about a year), I'd like to add central air to the house. Currently there is no cooling, so we are using window units. I am wondering if I should add a forced air furnace at the same time, since ducting will need to be added for the A/C. I haven't lived in this house through a winter yet, but I know the boiler is working. I don't know how much life I should expect out of it. Perhaps when I add the A/C I should just add the ducting for a future forced air unit once the boiler dies?
The reason I prefer forced air over a boiler is the baseboard radiators. I'd prefer ducts in the walls. Currently there is no room where I can put furniture against the exterior walls, because of the radiators. This is a problem especially in the upstairs bedrooms, which are roughly 11' x 12'. With a queen bed and two dressers, all pulled away from the exterior walls, there's just enough room to walk around the furniture.
I'm not sure what this project will cost, I have yet to bring in professionals for estimates. I'd imagine that adding a forced air furnace is cheaper than replacing a boiler furnace. I'm also not sure if a forced air furnace can use the same ducts as A/C. I've heard about high velocity A/C ducts which are smaller and easier to install, would a furnace be able to use those as well?
I appreciate any and all advice, thanks!
The house is heated by a 26 year old gas boiler. It is a Burnham Series 2. Model number P-205-WI. There are two BTU ratings on it, I'm not sure what they mean, but here they are:
Water BTU/HR: 93,000
Input BTU/HR: 130,000
The second and third floors are heated by baseboard radiators, and the entry level has radiant heat in the floor. I think the basement is just heated by nature of having the boiler in it and radiating heat off all the copper pipes.
When I can get the money (in about a year), I'd like to add central air to the house. Currently there is no cooling, so we are using window units. I am wondering if I should add a forced air furnace at the same time, since ducting will need to be added for the A/C. I haven't lived in this house through a winter yet, but I know the boiler is working. I don't know how much life I should expect out of it. Perhaps when I add the A/C I should just add the ducting for a future forced air unit once the boiler dies?
The reason I prefer forced air over a boiler is the baseboard radiators. I'd prefer ducts in the walls. Currently there is no room where I can put furniture against the exterior walls, because of the radiators. This is a problem especially in the upstairs bedrooms, which are roughly 11' x 12'. With a queen bed and two dressers, all pulled away from the exterior walls, there's just enough room to walk around the furniture.
I'm not sure what this project will cost, I have yet to bring in professionals for estimates. I'd imagine that adding a forced air furnace is cheaper than replacing a boiler furnace. I'm also not sure if a forced air furnace can use the same ducts as A/C. I've heard about high velocity A/C ducts which are smaller and easier to install, would a furnace be able to use those as well?
I appreciate any and all advice, thanks!