Is it still leaking or has it oxidized enough to stop the leak? If so, paint over it and forget about it. Waiting for oxidation is what the manufacturer suggested. I don't like it, because there is no ETA. Meanwhile, our new wooden floor is about to start rotting under it. If it's a pipe threaded plug that's leaking, redo it. The manufacturer is giving us the plugs, but the plumber wants several thousands of dollars for that job. Supposedly, the old ones need to be "drilled" out... Perhaps, we can get someone else to do it for (much) less, but it is still incredibly frustrating.

1 - What am i willing to spend - This is tough to answer because i really do not know the cost of this specific area . I am willing to pay a fair price for a good system. I know this is not the best answer for this question, but i am hoping that as i educate myself on what the right systems is, i will determine a comfort level in terms of cost/quality/comfort 2 - central A/C a must 3 - separate zones - yes, upstairs, downstairs and basement ideal. 4 - I would like to keep the cast iron - howeve I am open to loosing them when it comes to pricing. I.E. if its 30 % more to keep them - then it does not make sense 5 - I have a basement thats partially finished. I wil be finishing this down the line so i want to plan ahead for this 6 I am comfortable with a more advanced system, once the efficiencies and complexities make sense in terms of added cost 7/8 I will have a full open 9/12 attic space and a partially finished basement - 7.5 ft ceilings. I will also have a small mechanical room in one corner of the basement that i can make bigger depending on the equipment i need to put in Couple of more comments - I currently have oil - but not married to oil. If Gas makes sense -then i would consider it. I do have preferences, such as keeping the cast iron - radient etc, but it all boils down to cost... I have also looked at adding 3 solar panels to the mix for hot water...... thanks again

daft punk Reread my post. I never wrote "Crown was lower end" Youre quoting in parenthesis something I never wrote. I did say that Crowns furnace was Thermoprides "lower grade". What does that mean? No octagon heat exchanger No Copper heat exchanger coating Less Cleanouts That said, without buying an actual Thermopride; Crown, American Standard, Trane and maybe others that used Thermoprides unit are the best. And you are wrong again on Crown making furnaces. I have been there and they do assemble boilers though. Call Crown in Phili, ask for Nate and he will confirm. BTW, they don't make their gas furnaces either. They are made by Texas Furnace. Those that remember the early Carrier units with the front vestibules will know what I'm talking about. What Carrier sold furnaces they didn't make? You bet. Marco, not to burst your bubble, Ducane made oil junk furnaces for just about everybody back in the 80's-90's. Listing a unit on your site doesnt give positive proof you made it. Just that you have permission to sell it under your label. (Heil, Lennox, Carrier, Amana, and so on) When you attend as many ASHRAE, Comforttech, NISOH, shows and factory tours over the years as I have, you learn and know all the players.

At this point, nobody is "responsible" for replacing the HVAC system. It's a matter of value. If you don't like the heating system after your HI, go back to the seller with a reduced offer reflecting whatever you feel is appropriate to replace the furnance. No, after you close you cannot then go back & tell the seller to replace what is then 'your' furnace. That's one of the reasons you had the HI performed...to make intelligent decisions regarding how the property's structural systems relate to your purchase price. Quite possibly, the fact that the property has an older furnance is already built into the price. For example, if you purchased a 1970s house...you may very well be purchasing a 37 year old furnance along with thirty year old wiring, plumbing, windows, etc. And, your price point is probably considerably less than if you were buying new construction of similar style, size, location, etc. /tricia