New heating system

adpal

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.

Snowmelt

First company

There's a company out there called first company. They handle hydro air coils with a/c

Steamhead

None of the things you're proposing

will equal the comfort or efficiency of your hot-water system. Why not keep it? 

RobG

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

Renovation

No system "requires" humidification.



I agree with the others; why do you want to remove the boiler?

adpal

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

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

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

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

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?

JStar

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

Hydrocoil with boiler

Thank you.  So, in your opinion the hydrocoil system with a high efficiency boiler is the more comfortable system.  Thanks

adpal

Keep the radiators

I imagine you would prefer keeping the radiators and zoning them for maximum comfort?  Thanks, we are in North Jersey

JStar

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

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

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

RobG

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

Keep the Boiler

We can help you with the AC since you have ducts in place.

Rich_49

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

icesailor

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

The Cooling Side

Is there an air handler attached to any of your existing ducts?

Rich_49

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 .