Major Home Renovations & associated heating system questions

Tom_76

My house is a cape (Long Island, NY) with a 1986 Weil McClain steam boiler (run by gas) with cast iron radiators which heats basement via baseboard and the main floor & upstairs (which is only 2 rooms) with cast iron radiators. I will be adding a full dormer on the house and need to make a decision on running heat upstairs (proposed 4 bedrooms + bathroom).
I have some questions on which road I should take:
- Do I keep my existing steam boiler and run steam upstairs? or can I put a converter on it to run hot water upstairs? how much will all this cost?
- Is it cost beneficial to simply remove the 'old' boiler and replace with more modern/efficient hot water system? or even convert to hot air system so I can add central air?

What are the cost differences between each solution and which way am I better off going?

I'm sure these are very complex questions and I'm not giving complete information that's needed...but hoping I can be pointed in right direction.

Thanks,
Tom

Brad White_61

Without too much detail, Tom

1. Calculate a heat loss, taking into account all envelope improvements made. Or if not insulated, etc. please do so. Then calculate an accurate heat loss. Make the house it's "personal best".

2. Measure the sizes of the existing radiators (Square Feet EDR) referencing old radiator data. Add to this what EDR you would need and would install to heat your new addition area.

3. Compare this new total EDR against the boiler nameplate EDR. If the connected radiation is close to but less than the boiler output, you are in business. (It may even be better-sized, one way to find out on paper!)

If the boiler EDR is short, you might consider hot water but I tend to think the boiler would be adequate if not oversized. Many if not most are, especially if the house is insulated after original construction and radiation sizing.

Yes, I am suggesting sticking with steam unless you intend to do a lot of major surgery. And sticking with steam, make every effort to optimize the efficiency (insulate piping, lower the pressure, good venting, all things you read about here).

If you want to add AC where no ductwork now exists, I would "go small duct", (high velocity aspirating such as Unico or SpacePak) or just use a conventional AC system serving the lower floor from the basement; maybe a second small system in the attic if any... For the few nights you really need it, a window shaker has a certain appeal for the price!

Steamhead (in transit)

First thing to do

is a heat-loss calculation on the proposed new rooms. Then you'll know if the existing system can handle the load. If so, steam would work real well in the new rooms.

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