Help with HVAC questions....

odusgolp

Hey people... I'm wondering if anyone has serious knowlege about different heating systems, efficiency, etc. I'm house shopping. I recently came across the following:

1500 sq foot first floor 1927 house
10' ceilings
second floor 1500 sq foot completely unfinished gigantic attic.
I have a second visit planned to investigate insulation

It currently has gas furnace - water radiator heating system (i know nothing about this btw)
No AC

Questions:
1. How efficient is the current system? Although the radiators take up space if it's more efficient than forced air, do I keep it?
2. If not, should I consider gutting it and putting in forced air & A/C? If so any guess on the cost? (I am guessing 12-15K, but that's a guess.

Fill me in on what I need to consider I really don't know anything about the HVAC world.... I'm an accountant *LOL*

mrphil86

Well it's pretty hard to tell when you are not in the house looking at how the actual house was designed. Radiators/wall heaters are not the most effecient and forced air usually has a better outcome. Although there are a lot of really power effecient wall heaters and in theory it should be better but you have the human factor in there. For those things to good the whole house needs to be set on the same tempature but that doesn't happen very often. So then you have one or so heaters working more than the others which saps up your electricity/gas.

Be sure to look at the doors and windows too. Leaks, conductivity of heat, ect... You can have an airtight window but if the window has no heat transfer protection then it is just as bad.

I used to belong to Handyman Club of America. They have great forums/community and I suggest you ask them. They will probally ask for pictures because just describing it does not really help.

http://www.handymanclub.com/forums.aspx

EDIT: Yes, you have to sign up for them but they are awesome espcially if you are buying a house. I've done many projects using these forums.

odusgolp

The windows are older than the hills... they're tight, but ancient.

Shockingly, the energy bills average 220 when i actually would have thought higher.

God I hate house shopping.

voluptas63

The windows are older than the hills... they're tight, but ancient.

... it's almost too easy.

odusgolp

The windows are older than the hills... they're tight, but ancient.

... it's almost too easy.

shut your man pleaser woman.