oil boilers

Jonathan_10

I need to replace my boiler.I have a 200 yr. old house with forced hot water, cast iron radiators, not steam.I have seven rooms, but part of the house is over a crawl space, including the kitchen and den.I was told I could not run the pipes out to the den through the crawl space because they would freeze.I have no idea how much I need to spend for a new system and if there is any way to extend the system to the back rooms so I can avoid electric heat.any suggestions would be appreciated.

Brad White_72

Don't expect information

on pricing from this site, Jonathan. Too many variables, local economies, costs and overheads vary as does the level of expertise. It is a tradition/unwritten/sometimes written policy here and we hope you understand.

That said, I would start by finding a professional in your area; click the link above left.

In the interim, here are a few ideas:

1) Perform a heat loss or get one done as accurately as possible. This is key to anything you want to do.

2) You can run what piping would be in your crawlspace within your heated space subject to your aesthetic considerations of concealing it. If you can seal the crawlspace so that it is defacto inside the conditioned space, that may be your best bet.

3) Anti-freeze (propylene glycol) is a possibility but is a last resort. Systems may leak that otherwise will not with water.

4) You are in a position to do some nice surgery on your piping to do it right. Pump away from the boiler and expansion tank, put in an air separator, size the expansion tank correctly. Set up your piping primary/secondary and add controls so you can vary temperature of supply water to the radiators with the outdoor temperature. Very simple and a great comfort increaser and energy saver at the same time. Put TRV's on your radiators... lots of things. Stick around!

Couderay

Constant circulation,heavily insulated piping and possibly glycol come to mind on that crawl space problem. Have installed piping in crawl spaces before with methods above in northern Wisconsin and with no problems.

J.C.A._3

Brad types faster ....this time.

This is a great prospect for a constant circulation and Thermostatic Radiator Valve system if ever there was one.

With a properly piped boiler and the right sized piping going to all individual radiators, or a simple 2 pipe system, all your worries can be addressed. The key is to find a pro that can do it right.

Please try the Find A Professional link on this site and you're on your way. Chris

Unknown

I cheated

Whenever I have to run pipes in uninsulated spaces, I drilled small hole in zone valves, flo controls just enugh to keep the water moving gravaity wise but not heating...to keep it from freezing, however, I still heavly insulates the pipes as all others recommended.. Bottom line, don't get just a forced air compay only to do ur hydronic heating system... I'm busy redoing their work....