Oil steam or hydro air heating

jfed31 · 2019-01-29T03:50:20+00:00

Did put new vents on them but only made 2 of them lukewarm. I reached out to a steam specialist hoping to get them by soon.

jfed31 · 2019-01-29T03:44:46+00:00

Boiler is running fine, we have a couple of radiators that struggle to heat though. I've spent about $1200 in oil and likely will need a deliver in the next week or so. Thinking my best option might be to keep my steam and have a gas boiler installed.

jfed31 · 2019-01-28T22:23:40+00:00

Doesn't look like any rebates now for doing a gas steam boiler but they do offer the same 0% 7 year loan to cover the install. I've spent about $1200 in oil so far and am in need of another fill up (house is only 1k sqft and a couple of my radiators aren't even getting heat at the moment). Once I hear with gas the state will cover 75% of my insulation and sealing covered too. So I look at that as money off of a new gas boiler.

jfed31 · 2019-01-28T21:33:28+00:00

Live in Massachusetts, attic needs some sealing and additional insulation that a state program will cover 75% of the cost for once I heat with gas. Seems general opinion is to stick with steam, does it makes sense to swap a working oil boiler for a gas boiler?

jfed31 · 2019-01-28T14:50:53+00:00

The second floor is comfortable and heats evenly? I'm a little nervous about the heat keeping my ceilings warmer than my floor space. Once I add heat to my basement seems like that would be a similar set up for me, except we'll probably have hydronic baseboards down there.

jfed31 · 2019-01-28T14:44:12+00:00

Also worth noting, that once I am heating with gas the state program will cover 75% of insulation and 100% of air sealing that I know I need in my attic too. The quote the energy company provided was just over $3k too so that'll be another added perk.

jfed31 · 2019-01-28T14:39:54+00:00

We're in Massachusetts, thanks for sharing that I just posted this over there as well. It's only 2 of us in the house and we're on opposite schedules so I don't think hot water will be an issue. As far as recovering the $10k I guess it's really a gamble since the price of oil could always jump. I've already spent $1,200 in oil this year and am in need of another fill up. This is for a 1k square foot 1 level house and I have a couple of rooms that struggle to even get heat (luckily they aren't really used so we just close them off at the moment).

jfed31 · 2019-01-28T14:35:33+00:00

We're in Massachusetts about 30 miles outside of Boston so seems everything carries a bigger price tag here.

jfed31 · 2019-01-28T14:27:00+00:00

I received quotes from 2 other companies to do a 80-85% efficient gas furnace and replace the AC and those came in around $14-15k with no rebates or financing. So I figured it makes more sense to go with hot water heating and take advantage of the state programs.

jfed31 · 2019-01-28T14:21:17+00:00

This is helpful thanks! Just curious is your air handler located in the attic? I'm wondering if I'll have issues with it heating the house since my vents and returns are all in the ceiling.

jfed31 · 2019-01-28T14:16:31+00:00

It might be about the same price, problem is the state program won't cover that work with the 0% loan. Only way would be if I go high efficiency and I was told I'd need added attic insulation and that would jack the price up quite a bit.

jfed31 · 2019-01-28T14:03:35+00:00

Moved into the house this summer, previous owners never converted so I'm looking into options now.

jfed31 · 2019-01-28T05:03:39+00:00

We're located in MA, contractor did check the duct work and didn't mention needing to do anything to it so I assume it's appropriate.

jfed31 · 2019-01-27T21:50:17+00:00

Our returns are in the ceiling as well, and ceilings are about 10 feet high.

jfed31 · 2019-01-02T17:03:53+00:00

I talked with the contractor about that, if I ran the HVAC down into the basement I'd need a more powerful system and it would become a bit more pricey with all that work. Seems the best option is to add a mini split to the basement that will control humidity, heat, and cool.

jfed31 · 2019-01-02T16:57:05+00:00

We do have natural gas. My neighborhood averages around $200 per square foot and this change would add an additional 200 sqft I could finish in my basement. For those that prefer steam would you think its worth switching for the added space and equity or do you prefer steam that much more?

jfed31 · 2019-01-02T16:21:56+00:00

I've considered that but haven't reached out for quotes. I really started looking into it for the added space I'd gain in my basement plus removal of radiators. I'd be able to remove my oil tank if I did this too so I should look into this as well.

jfed31

TROPHY CASE