converting to gas/no existing cold air returns and no chimney li

lchmb

Jeff, if it were my home, I would personally add the return plenum's to the new OIL fired furnaces. I believe that with a new Thermopride or Halmark furnace, vented into a lined chimney with proper supply and return plenums, you would begin to make your money back.

I also personally like the option to choose my supplier and not be locked into a company for however long I own my home.

Then again, I would probably go with an oil fired water heater also. This of course is my personal opinion based on experiences with customer's who have switched and who end up being unhappy.

jeffrey baumgart

converting oil hot air to gas existing problems

We're living in an old 1915 two family home with existing oil hot air furnaces. The furnaces are American Standard and are working but probably @ 60 to 70% efficiency. They are about 30 years old but keep on chugging along with the exception of a few repairs along the way. They are serviced every year under a maintenance agreement with our oil supplier.
I'm considering updating to more effcient units but have major existing conditions that have to be considered first.

1. There are no cold air returns to any of the three floors,the basement is used instead.

2. Both the exhaust from the oil furnaces and the natural gas water heaters are vented up the unlined chimney causing spalling and deterioration to the chimney.

I'm pretty sure that with todays codes you can not vent gas and oil out the same area, this is what caused the chimney damage I have now. I'm also convinced that in order to take advantage of the higher efficient furnaces we need to establish cold air returns on every floor,1st flr apt 1 and 2nd/3rd flr apt 2.

My question is if we go thru with the change adding returns, chimney liner, new furnaces, humidifiers,and air purifiers will these improvements add any significant value to our home and would you go with all natural gas or keep the new furnaces oil and water heaters gas?

Thanks Jeff

Steamhead (in transit)

If you have to add so much ductwork

why not add piping instead, and go with hydronics? This would be far more comfortable than scorched-air will ever be. Each new boiler could also provide the hot faucet water for its part of the house via an indirect tank. This setup is much more efficient than a stand-alone water heater, will last much longer and cuts the number of burners in half.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"