Ideal system for rehab

[birchtree]

We're completely renovating an 1,900 square foot, 150 year old, New England house, 2 floors with walk up attic and basement. The heating system needs to be replaced and the duct work in the basement and seemingly in the walls is garbage, so all will go, and we'll be starting fresh (previous homeowners put A/C in the attic, feeding the 2nd floor, and with a couple of closet runs to the 1st floor. a/c system works okay).

What's the most comfortable type of system for heating? Forced air, radiant, boiler? Since we're starting from scratch, we can put in anything that can be retrofitted.

[Moose]

Comfort-wise... radiant w/mod-con, outdoor re-set etc... That said, make the envelope as efficient as you possibly can. A high quality f/a system would probably be good too.

[lolson]

what area are you in? that may make a difference.

i noticed air conditioning so maybe a duel fuel system may work the best.

a duel fuel system is a heat pump that provides cooling and heating to a deturmined outside tempeture about (35 deg f), after the outdoor tempeture goes below the setpoint it switches over to to a gas, propain, oil, or an electric furnace.

[birchtree]

Comfort-wise... radiant w/mod-con, outdoor re-set etc... That said, make the envelope as efficient as you possibly can. A high quality f/a system would probably be good too.

Thanks. We're interested in radiant, but I'm not familiar with hvac shorthand. What is "mod-con" and a "f/a system"?

Would it be difficult to put radiant on the 2nd floor?

lolson, thanks, but I think it's too cold for a heat pump.

[james mo]

Mod-con I believe is modulating burner, condensing boiler and F/a is forced air.

[james mo]

Radiant / in-floor heating is the most comfortable by far. Second floor heating can be installed under flooring of stapled below decking. You may even opt for radiators on the second floor depending on design of the house and the look you want. Total remodels are great, but be real sure you get what you want the first time.....Do you want this house to look modern or do you want an antique look with radiators?

[DocHVAC]

How cold is to cold are you in Alaska, try heat pump with HiVelocity and electric back up. Nice and neat and takes up less room.

[Moose]

If you have some land with that house, you could go geothermal, which will give you either radiant or forced air (f/a). You can get more info about radiant etc. from: www.healthyheating.com or www.heatinghelp.com - I am sure there is a geo site as well - can't remember it for now. Hopefully you have time to research both the systems & contractors before you start.

[cem-bsee]

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