switch from forced hot air to hot water baseboard

Ken_40

One does business as Palmer Heating, LLC out of Clark. He covers all of northern NJ including Bergen, Passaic and Sussex County. The other does business as Secor Heating and Air Conditioning out of Watchung. Both do heat. One specializes in wet heat (hydronics) and conversions. The other, specializes in making hot air systems do what they are capable of better than the average johnny contractor. Both network with each other. A call to either would be a good place to brain-storm the options and get some idea of cost and details.

How do I know these guys?

They are my sons; Scott and Pete. Palmer's # is: (732) 388-1794. Secor's is (908) 251-5595

Tell them "Dad" put a good word in (;-o). I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

John_142

I need to replace the 40 year old forced hot air system in our 1960's bi-level in northern NJ. I was thinking of switching to hot water baseboard since we have problems with temp variations between upstairs and downstairs. Alot of HVAC people told me they could use a damper system to help correct this and that the new furnaces have variable speed fans that would help. I also know switching systems may cost alot more than just replacing the furnace I have now. Not to mention the mess of drilling through the floors. Any suggestions?

Mark Hunt

Well


the dampers MIGHT fix the issue unless of course the issue is with the duct design. Insufficient return air from the second floor will NOT be fixed by adding a damper system nor will the damper system fix under-sized duct work.

In most of the cases I have been involved with, the cost to fix the duct system was more than installing a hot water system.

I would find out exactly why the temperature variations are happening first. If a damper system will fix that, then this is your least expensive and least intrusive option.

If the ducting is in need of a major over-haul, the baseboard option may be your best bet.

I finished a job recently where we removed an 18 year old forced hot air system and replaced it with a hot wtaer baseboard system. I designed the system so that the house will maintain 70 degrees indoors with an outdoor temperature of -10 degrees with a maximum water supply of 140 degrees. This customer will see a big difference in their gas bill.

Hope this helps.

Mark H

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