Replacing hydronic radiators with HVAC in Brooklyn brownstone?
Brooklyn
4 years ago
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mike_home
4 years agoRelated Discussions
New HVAC Install
Comments (14)I lived in Philly for a few years. That was my introduction to humid Summers. When I got out into the countryside, it was my introduction to chiggers, ticks and poison ivy too. Great and livable city though. I think that the pros are going to want to take a close look at your boiler and its operation. If heating load is shifted away from the boiler, it becomes a less efficient way to heat DHW. "I don't think removing the radiators was in the plan. I love the heat, grew up with that sort of heat, so would like to keep them." I can't agree more. "One of the other reasons we are interested in a central air system is we seem to have high humidity in the house. New double pane windows were put in, and we usually have moisture on the inside of them in the mornings and at nite. The R.H. Is usually in the 55-62% range" This condensation is happening in the winter? You must have a pretty tightly-sealed house or be engaged in a lot of humidity-generating activities: Big family with lots of long showers and no exhaust fan? Lots of cooking with bad or no exhaust vent? Growing lots of plants (legal, I hope)? Damp basement? Line dry laundry indoors or bad dryer vent?...See MoreAdvice on HVAC renovation
Comments (12)Thanks to everyone for the comments so far; keep 'em coming! Responses: @HeProfessional: I will check out the links. I admit that the second one was pretty much incomprehensible to me, but that might have been my late reading time. I'll give it another try. I was worried about the return heat too. What is the maximum temp return heat for efficient condensing boiler operation? Also, does using the boiler for both heating and household hot water make any difference? I would also love a reference to someone in my area who know hydronic and ductless HVAC as most of the information I'm getting so far is from GFA experts. @Jackfre: My research has produced the same results; I think Spacepak is probably off the list. @mike_home: It's a Peerless MI series. Link is below. @fsq4cw: I'll look into that further. I did some research but rejected this option as we live in a flood plain and there are very strict rules on excavating needing to incorporate "make up" soil. Maybe I was too hasty. Here is a link that might be useful: Peerless MI series...See MoreSpacepak/Unico + Radiant Flooring vs. Central HVAC
Comments (6)Your renovation is going to be expensive regardless of what you will choose. From a technical point of view, I would install either an air-to-liquid heat pump or a geothermal liquid-to-liquid heat pump and go all hydronic heating and air-conditioning. No ductwork necessary. Extremely efficient with flexible room-by-room zoning possible using the latest modern hydronic technics. Distribution of fluids though insulated ~1/2in diameter pipes are much easier to install than large ductwork, efficient, quiet factional hp circulator pumps instead of large wattage sometimes noisy blowers. Virtually as 'Green' as you can be on-grid! https://www.waterfurnace.com/literature/envision/br1007wn.pdf YMMV IMPO SR...See MoreHVAC System in MA
Comments (5)My questions are, what is most efficient in my area? What is most reliable? What requires the most/least work? Should I stick with what I have and replace when it starts to fail or spend the money now to upgrade? I will assume by most efficient you are asking what is least costly to operate. In Massachusetts I would think heating with natural gas would cost the least. If you post your gas and electric rates a comparison of the costs can be done. Steam heating is the most expensive to heat with natural gas. You are lucky you don't have an oil fired boiler. The one positive thing about a steam boiler it has no moving parts and is very reliable. If you you do simple maintenance and keep the water at the proper level you should get another 20 years of service out of it. I assume you will use window AC units for cooling. If you want to eliminate them then this would be time to see if either the addition of a central forced air system or mini splits could be added as part of the renovation. The previous owners removed all but one radiator from the second floor, we aren't sure why. This is a big red flag for me. One radiator on the second floor is not going to keep the entire floor of a house located in Massachusetts built in 1915. Do you have the radiators? If so a simple option would be to reinstall them. If you like the idea of having no radiators then investigate the forced air and mini split options. Your general contractor is not knowledgeable about HVAC systems. You need to talk to HVAC contractors to discuss possible options....See MoreBrooklyn
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