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New heating system

adpal
adpal Member Posts: 5
I am starting a home renovation and converting the home from a hot water radiator system.  I am trying to decide between a variable speed high efficiency hot air system vs a hydrocoil system. The variable speed high efficiency system will require three furnaces.  It will save money upfront.  I understand both systems will require humidification.  Radiant heat had been considered for the kitchen and mud area and master bath but now this seems more like a luxury rather than a necessity.  Master bath will be electric radiant.  New ducts will supply both heat and ac.  Please advise, I am looking for an efficient quiet system with good air purification as one of my kids has significant allergies.

Comments

  • Snowmelt
    Snowmelt Member Posts: 1,405
    First company

    There's a company out there called first company. They handle hydro air coils with a/c
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    None of the things you're proposing

    will equal the comfort or efficiency of your hot-water system. Why not keep it? 
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • RobG
    RobG Member Posts: 1,850
    edited August 2014
    Why?

    Why do you plan on removing the radiant heat? If your child has allergies the best thing to do is to not swirl up dust into the air. If you live with radiant heat now, you probably will not be happy with forced air. If you want to add A/C you could use mini-spits and save a ton of $$ verses adding ductwork ect...



    JMHO,

    Rob
  • Spence
    Spence Member Posts: 316
    Renovation

    No system "requires" humidification.



    I agree with the others; why do you want to remove the boiler?
  • adpal
    adpal Member Posts: 5
    Heating/AC

    The boiler is old, inefficient and needs replacement.  The radiators and piping are being removed.  I currently have existing duct work for AC on the first, second and third floors.  The house only has radiant in the kitchen at this time the remainder of the house is heated via radiators.  Currently it is one zone only covering three floors.  I figured I would upgrade the system during the addition and zone the house properly, choices presented were  new high efficiency boiler with hydrocoil with proper zoning of existing and addition vs variable speed high efficiency hot air heat requiring three furnaces which is less expensive. Thank you all
  • Spence
    Spence Member Posts: 316
    edited August 2014
    Removing Boiler

    Watch yourself here. If you go the wet coil route, the coil's pressure drop is most likely sky high. You have to account for this, and the pressure drop of your ducts and fittings, or the best system in the world won't work properly.



    If you go with gas or electric heat, you still have to consider the existing distribution system and the PDs in the new unit (heat exchanger or heaters, cooling coil, filters, etc.), which sometimes gets interesting when you have existing duct work.
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Heat

    Have you ever lived with "forced-error" heating? If you haven't, you'll be in for a big surprise, Also Known As disappointment. If you are truly deadset on removing the radiators, don't let them go to a junkyard. We may know somebody in your neighborhood who can salvage them for use in a deserving system.
  • adpal
    adpal Member Posts: 5
    forced air heat

    Thought the new variable speed high efficiency forced air heating systems improves on the old problems with traditional forced air heating.  Had traditional forced air heat in a different home and agree it was awful
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Your quote

    "choices presented were  new high efficiency boiler with hydrocoil with

    proper zoning of existing and addition vs variable speed high efficiency

    hot air heat requiring three furnaces which is less expensive"



    You need to talk to some people who know a thing or two about comfort. Your current contractor has no clue. Where are you located?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Forced air

    I don't like tomatoes. Give me a red tomatoe, a green one, cover it in cheese...I still don't like tomatoes.



    Adding variable speed blower technology does increase comfort and efficiency by a certain margin, but it's still forced-air, and it still feels the same overall.
  • adpal
    adpal Member Posts: 5
    Hydrocoil with boiler

    Thank you.  So, in your opinion the hydrocoil system with a high efficiency boiler is the more comfortable system.  Thanks
  • adpal
    adpal Member Posts: 5
    Keep the radiators

    I imagine you would prefer keeping the radiators and zoning them for maximum comfort?  Thanks, we are in North Jersey
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Heat

    No, not at all. A hydro-coil is still a forced-air system. The best heat available is steam or hot-water with large radiators...exactly what you have now.
  • RobG
    RobG Member Posts: 1,850
    Call

    Call JStar (Joe Starosielec) who has been posting to you in the above posts. His company is Thatcher HVAC, he will give you an accurate idea of what is in your best interest. You are lucky to be in an area serviced by his company.  



    JMHO,

    Rob
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    I'll second JStar!

    and to make it easy, here's his company info:



    http://www.heatinghelp.com/professional/432/Thatcher-Heating-and-Air-Conditioning
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • RobG
    RobG Member Posts: 1,850
    To add....

     No one on this site is trying to sell or promote anything beyond what we believe to be in the best interest of the folks that come here, we come to learn for ourselves and help others. I just wanted you to know that there is no sales pitch here, only advice.



    Rob 
  • Spence
    Spence Member Posts: 316
    Keep the Boiler

    We can help you with the AC since you have ducts in place.
  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
    edited August 2014
    Respiratory problems

    Variable speed forced air .

     Question , does the cubic feet of your house ever change ?

    Answer . NO

    Why would you move more or less air at anytime ?  If you must go with forced air the hydro fan coil system would be best . But tell your forced air guy to keep his fancy variable speed crap out of your house . CFMs will always be the same and heating only some of them is not efficient as you have been told . Let the boiler change the water temps to the coil based on what the coil can produce at differing temps and use outdoor reset .

    Honest opinion is the following and I am a building science guy that strives for systems that provide good health and quality of life . Ready ?  Keep the radiators , add bypass valves and TRVs at each , get a good boiler and a contractor who will measure your house and perform a heat loss calc , can almost guarantee your hvac guy did not . Design a system that works well . Use 4 zone mini split with 1 outdoor unit , install an ERV and steam humidifier . Don't tear up your house and leave it like swiss cheese . Odds are you can do this for similar money and be happier that you provided a better environment for your child .  This is not magic and is very important for your family's health and well being .



     Before you become a victim of bad information check out this site .

    http://www.healthyheating.com/



    It will verify what you have heard here and may make you want to punch the duct guy right in his face .   No amount of filters , UV light and magic beans will help your child like a quality system designed taking the human factors into account .  Calling J Star is a good idea , I am also in Jersey but in Ocean County
    You didn't get what you didn't pay for and it will never be what you thought it would .
    Langans Plumbing & Heating LLC
    732-751-1560
    Serving most of New Jersey, Eastern Pa .
    Consultation, Design & Installation anywhere
    Rich McGrath 732-581-3833
  • icesailor
    icesailor Member Posts: 7,265
    Hydronic Vs. Scorched Air:

    As someone who has lived for over 50 years with forced HW Hydronic heat, who has just spent a years+ with scorched air and chilled air, it really sucks. It is noisy, drafty and uneven. Did I forget dusty? Even with filters which will cut down on air flow.
  • Spence
    Spence Member Posts: 316
    The Cooling Side

    Is there an air handler attached to any of your existing ducts?
  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
    Ventilation

    is what you really need . A good ERV that will bring in enough fresh air and exhaust trash air . Leave the hydronic heat , install some ductless units and get a quality ERV to bring in fresh with a High number MERV filter . Don't be a victim . By the way since there are health issues radiant would rather be a necessity as opposed to a luxury . With radiant you will have the satisfaction (luxury ) of looking at your child whilst he is breathing better and knowing you made the right or a better decision for his health . You can do better here and spend less money than you are contemplating .
    You didn't get what you didn't pay for and it will never be what you thought it would .
    Langans Plumbing & Heating LLC
    732-751-1560
    Serving most of New Jersey, Eastern Pa .
    Consultation, Design & Installation anywhere
    Rich McGrath 732-581-3833