AC Install question (w/hot water radiators)

Doug_11

My house had a single-pipe steam system which was removed due to major structural work that needed to be done. I plan on switching to a hot water setup which uses the old radiators and would like to install an AC system since the whole house is gutted to the studs, joists and rafters (EVERYTHING it open). What type of AC setup is typical in this scenario? What is best in your opinion? The house is in the Detroit suburbs, if that has any impact on system choices. Thanks in advance for your time.

GW

AC man

you might want to get some AC contractors in there to give you some advice. Unico is a good choice.

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Tombig_2

Options galore

Gary is right. You need to find a contractor who is comfortable with AC needs as well as the desire for you keep the radiator heat, be it hot water or steam. Converting one pipe steam radiators to HW is no easy task because they will need TWO pipes to each radiator. If you love the radiators and want to keep them it is doable. So many older homes have beautiful built in radiators, covers, bench seats, etc.. that you just don't want to lose them.

Radiant floors, cast iron baseboard radiators, panel radiators....all options for a remodel of this scope. Radiant heating, whether by steam or hot water, by upright radiators, baseboard, or heated floors/walls/cielings will give you the greatest comfort. Options. You need to find a contractor you can trust or hire a competent mechanical engineer to steer you right.

Most may say to install a forced air heating/cooling system and skip the hydronics altogether....DON'T!!!!
Trust me. A well designed cooling only duct system is hell and gone from a well designed heating and cooling duct system. A cooling only design is inherently less obtrusive because, hey, let's face it, it's easier to remove humidity and drop the temperature 10* on a hot, humid summer day than it is to make a homeowner comfortable when it's -10* outside and they want it 70* inside.

Stick with hydronic heat of some sort. High velocity AC or conventional ducted AC are both intrusive because ducts are big, even the high velocity systems require some soffiting. With a gutted home you have created a blank canvass for a qualified HVAC contractor to "paint" you a workable system. With enough motivation, it could be a benchmark system.

Work through them until you find the right guy and the right system(s).

Good luck, TG

Doug_11

Thanks, your advice is MUCH appreciated.

Regards,

Doug