Forced Hot Air vs. Hot Water
#1
05-17-08, 12:04 PM
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Forced Hot Air vs. Hot Water
I am putting an addition on my house. My existing house is a24x34 colonial in MA. The addition is a garage at basement level, a 24x28 fam. room on 1st level and a master suite that is 20x20. The question. The existing house is forced hot air from a oil fired furnace (12 yrs old) Also have an 80 gal electric hot water tank. We want multiple zones (2-4) so what is the: 1. Most practical solution to heating the rest of the house. 2. The most cost efficient (poss. money up front) down the road. 3. Does completely changing over to forced hot water a viable option? What say you?
Thanks,
DB
Thanks,
DB
#2
05-17-08, 04:12 PM
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In my opinion there is no question that a forced hot water heating system is the best solution.
That said, have you considered the cooling (A/C) needs of both the original house and the addition?
That said, have you considered the cooling (A/C) needs of both the original house and the addition?
#3
05-18-08, 05:56 AM
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The HVAC guy wanted to put a unit in the attic and one outside for the 1st floor for a total of 2 zones, using the existing duct work as well as adding some additional ducts for the new areas. That was assuming changing to all hot water for the heat (per his suggestion) I believe he was planning on 4 zones for the heating sysytem.
#4
05-18-08, 01:00 PM
I used to do maintenance for an apartment complex that pumped hot water thru some coils to heat the air. I quickly relized what a stupid nightmare this was. Water dissolves metal over time... when the hole forms, water comes gushing out, flooding faster than an Indonisian tsunami. It be a shame if that happened while you were not home.
#5
05-18-08, 03:56 PM
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As I've stated many times in the past, zoning of residential forced air heating or cooling systems is usually a mistake.
If I understand correctly, the approach is to use a combination of multiple air conditioning systems in both new and existing duct work and also a combination of hot water heating zones, possibly using hot water coils in some of the ductwork. Is this correct?
Murpmurp, there is nothing stupid about using hot water coils in air handlers to provide heat. What is stupid is to not properly maintain such systems. It depends upon the particular system as to what maintenance needs to be done and how often. With basic water treatment even the cheapest system will have a long life.
If I understand correctly, the approach is to use a combination of multiple air conditioning systems in both new and existing duct work and also a combination of hot water heating zones, possibly using hot water coils in some of the ductwork. Is this correct?
Murpmurp, there is nothing stupid about using hot water coils in air handlers to provide heat. What is stupid is to not properly maintain such systems. It depends upon the particular system as to what maintenance needs to be done and how often. With basic water treatment even the cheapest system will have a long life.
#6
05-24-08, 06:27 AM
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Furd,
The Cooling part is correct, but they want to replace the heating aspect with baseboard heat in all rooms and essentially use the ductwork strictly for cooling. Therefore you've got separate zones for heating via forced hot air (4) and 2 separate zones (upstairs/downstairs) for cooling. Does that help?
The Cooling part is correct, but they want to replace the heating aspect with baseboard heat in all rooms and essentially use the ductwork strictly for cooling. Therefore you've got separate zones for heating via forced hot air (4) and 2 separate zones (upstairs/downstairs) for cooling. Does that help?
#7
05-24-08, 02:24 PM
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I'm confused. You state that "they want to replace the heating aspect with baseboard heat in all rooms and essentially use the ductwork strictly for cooling" and then you state "Therefore you've got separate zones for heating via forced hot air (4)..."
So which is it? Are you going to have all heating via hot water baseboards or is it going to be via forced air?
So which is it? Are you going to have all heating via hot water baseboards or is it going to be via forced air?
#8
05-24-08, 04:02 PM
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You think you're confused. Hence this thread. My understanding (as cryptic as it may be) is to change from forced hot air to forced hot water with baseboard heat. They will then put a condenser in the attic for the 2nd floor and a condenser outside for the 1st floor. They will use the existing ductwork in the existing house for cooling and have to add some other ductwork for the addition on the 1st floor. (24x28). I think originally they wanted to separate into 4 zones, but have settled on 2 zones, so disregard the 4 zone thing, unless you think this is doable given the system setup. Hope I haven't confused you further. This addition thing on your own is much more than I bargained for.
Thanks. DB
Thanks. DB
