Keep radiators or Forced Air

Frank Borris

Dan, I am faced with a major decision in my 1930’s brick colonial. I am finishing my basement and my HVAC guy is trying to talk me into a heat pump to condition the basement and first floor. I already have a gas furnace and A/C in my attic which handles the attic and 2nd floor bedrooms. (I have yet to use the furnace) My attic and basement will be insulated but my 1st and 2nd floors are the original plaster walls. I am hesitant to remove my forced hot water system and rely on the attic furnace and basement heat pump since I don’t have a fully insulated home. Losing the piping and radiators would free up space throughout the home and headroom in the basement but I don’t want to be cold. Any advice?

Plumbob

Steamhead (in transit)

Keep the radiators

they'll beat scorched-air for comfort and efficiency, every time.

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Kniggit

how about just adding the furnace and A/C to use as backup if the boiler was to fail? taking out the heating pipes would not give you much more, and putting properly sized ducts back will take much more room.
If head room is a real concern talk to a contractor about re-piping the system, not cheap but you will retain the comfort you have enjoied.

mario & luigi

Every time someone gets talked into removing radiators from an old house for hot or hydro-air they are never comfortable again. i have seen it many times and they are always sorry.