Dilemma in house remodeling

Mark A. Custis

Have Leroy in cleveland git wit me.

Mark

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Michael_5

Gentlemen,

I have a basement that is being remodeled with recently ruined one-pipe counter flow steam system. Since the system is all but dead and the 40 years old burner has a crack in the heat exchanger, it is a time for me to think about entire heating/cooling situation in my house. My questions are:

1. Any on-line sources of information regarding options for heating/cooling (from standard to advanced)? I would like to become familiar with the general options available before I will settle on a principle system type and start searching for a contractor. My experience with the contractor that destroyed my previous system was so bad that I must be sure that I understand him and can verify the suggestions.

2. Is it possible to hire a contractor for making the design and supervising the job remotely, coming only for the check-ups of completed job? Or I have to find a local expert?

My house is a two story with a basement. First floor has radiator heat from the steam boiler; on the second floor we have a furnace with air handler. Air conditioning goes through this handler to the ducts at the second and first floors. I would love to take the furnace out and replace it with the radiant heat.

Ben_3

Michael

Where do you live some of use might be local to you, as for having someone else design and oversee while another does the install usually won't work to many confrontations and finger pointing. As for a system you should first set your budget for the project and then explore your options, the sky is the limit. Once you decide what you can spend and have narrowed your options a little you can really start to weigh the pros and cons and pick the best fit for you.

Michael_5

Ben,
Thank you for the advise with contractors. My zip is 40206.
The budget that I have is linked directly to the outcome that I can get from the system. Suppose, there is a system that does not use force air for cooling the house and it does not require tearing house apart for the installation and it costs X thousand dollars. For me it deserves serious consideration. I can invest in the infrastracture if it brings visible clear outcome and long-lasting benefits. The very general issues with every system for me are:
1. I don't particulary like forced air for heating. And my wife just hates it!
2. To me it is hard to justify having a boiler and a furnace for heating separate zones in the house. Either one or another, but why both for a single 2400sq.f. house?
3. Even harder to justify cooling through the forced air and heating through the radiant heat. That brings both the inconvenience of radiators in the rooms with the duct work that has to be custom-made in the old house.

But I am a home owner and not a professional in this area. Therefore, I am trying to find out what systems are available in order to make an optimal selection.

Mark A. Custis

Mike I should

Go to bed and let Ben write, but I am looking for free brain power on my city hall project, while reading at the site PR sent me to read, but you can learn a big bad bunch of stuff, at the pipe you got to the wall from. There is the answer to question #1. Start there, then buy the books if you need more (and you will as this gets to be an addiction).

Q #2. It depends. I am a converted airhead, so what I type must be read with caution.

Good luck,

Mark

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kevin

what leads ...

you to think the system is unrepairable? If you get a good steam guru to look at the whole system and you could/should be able to get it straightened out. You could even getsome radiant added off of the boiler. Steam properly done is a great set up. kpc

Mark A. Custis

The more i think about it

I will go with Kevin and Ben. The problems you bring to the wall about the forced air systems can be corected with a very simple to use and install Zoning system, (see www.arzelzoning.com). If the pipes are there and OK, you could have all you want with out bulldozing and starting over.

Mark

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BillW@honeywell

You also could try...

Honeywell's new Networked Zoning system. Visit www.honeywell.com/yourhome for more info. It features setback thermostats, optional remote telephone control and lots of other good stuff. Check it out!