Do you want or need AC? If so, ductwork is required for most such systems. If not, systems that do not use ductwork can be viable choices.

Hello, I would like to have the AC on the few days it gets unbearably hot here in Seattle but it's generally not necessary or worth the extra cost.
So the systems that do not use ductwork are definitely a viable option for us...but what type?
FYI, we were quoted @11k for the gas furnace, gas piping, ductwork, etc. Since we are in an 'up and coming' area, we are not confident throwing too much more $ than the gas quote or we might not see it back in resale value- plus we have a kitchen/bathroom/roof to re-do too (!)

Hot water baseboards are run off an appliance called a "boiler", rather than a forced air system, which uses an appliance called a "furnace".

A boiler heats water. The water is moved down 3/4 inch pipes using a small pump (called a circulator) to the various locations in the house where it is needed to heat radiators, which warm the air in the rooms they are located in.

A furnace heats up air, which is then moved down ductwork via a large blower.

Boilers are easier to zone and control than furnaces, and a boiler ca also be used in radiant floor and wall applications, and can also be used to make domestic hot water.

Another consideration is the headspace that will be lost in the basement to the ductwork. If your basement ceiling height isn't too good, the ductwork is really gonna get in the way.

I would be very happy with gas heat and coming from electric baseboard, I predict you will be too

Don

brewbeer- thank you for your response.
That is exactly one of the other methods we are looking into. Although I have read a lot of good things about radiant floor heating, we wonÂt be able to use it upstairs (the main living space) as it is a retro-fit job but we can consider it for our bathroom when we get around to remodeling it.

I have been looking online at the baseboard radiators, some appear to fit right into/next to the baseboard molding (I would like them to be as invisible as possible)-any opinions on those or can you direct me to a site that sells a good product?

Another question is, do you have any opinions about this type of system (baseboards) in regards to resale value? I am worried that unless we get the design that blends with the molding, people will be turned off by what appears to be Âelectric baseboard heatersÂ.

Thank you again.

don21, thank you for your posting.
Yes, I look forward to the day of being happy with the warmth and economic value of a system other than the electric baseboards.
ItÂs just a tough decision though, this is the biggest improvement we will make to this house and although we can go in a few different directions, we want to do what is best for our house, the area we live in ("up and coming", so we want to see the return if/when we sell), the environment and our bank account.
We donÂt have any friends or family members who are knowledgeable in this field to help us- to say "you should definitely do this"Âall I can rely on are the consultants coming in (who want to sell their product) and the internet to help us make a decision- so any advice helps.
Thanks again.

We had an eejit HVAC sub when our house was built six years ago, using gas forced-air. One of the problems was inadequate heat in the north-facing rooms. Fortunately I'd put Nu-Heat electric mats under the tile in the master bath. That left two other rooms where we needed suplemental heat.

We bought a teeny boiler and had tubing installed under the first floor 'cold' rooms. Now I wish we had that sort of heat throughout! It's wonderful.

Could you use something like this on your first floor (if you have a basement and access). Could you have a different system upstairs? A couple of room A/C's could do that job.

kframe19- hello and thank you for your input
I was looking into heat pumps, I have heard they are good for our climate here in Seattle. The cooling ability on the few unbearably hot days here would be a bonus but the system would require the ducting and I am just not sure I want to go that route. Also, I have heard that you need a supplemental heat source for when it gets below freezing temperature, which does happen here in Seattle too.

Speaking of supplemental, the one thing I was considering was to get all of the gas lines installed (woo hoo, I will finally be able to use my clothes dryer!!) and then move forward with a gas fireplace insert to use as a main heat source until I can figure all of this out.
Since we only have less than 700 sq ft upstairs and the fireplace is located such that the air would travel down the hallway and creep into the bedrooms, that would be a good option for now? Any thoughts?

BTW, I have looked into the mini splits too but I think that option is too cost prohibitive for us.
Thanks again and please keep the advice coming everyone, I am so confused!

chisue- thank you for the info
Yes, I am very curious about hydronic heating systems.
The upstairs living room and two bedroom are all original oak floors from when the house was built in 1945. I have been told that the radiant floor heating wonÂt work with the wood floors (sigh).
The dining space is adjacent to the kitchen and there are ceramic tiles in there and the bathroom is tiled but needs to be replaced someday. So, we could do the radiant heat if it were installed via the basementÂs ceiling (the drywall is newer there but can be done) and install it in the bathroom also via the basement or wait until we replace the floor and do it then.
We had another HVAC consultant out last night, said it might be strange to have the heated floors in the kitchen/dining space and not in the living room- I can see that. Plus, we would have to add in the radiant baseboards and I am not sure about those either.
The big problem is he roughly quoted the radiant route to be even more expensive than the ductwork and gas furnace! I almost want to go ahead with the ductwork and the gas furnace (He seemed to be pushing the furnace route) but all I keep reading is that it is not an effective form of heating a house.
All in all, very confusing. Thanks again and any other input is welcome!