The requested URL /vbb/showthread.php?84282-Best-Gas-Furnace-Brand was not found on this server.Period architectural details are valuable resources for professionals working on renovating historic homes, but period mechanical systems are rarely given the same respect. Instead, original equipment that's often reusable is frequently removed wholesale and replaced with standard forced-air furnaces, requiring sightline-marring soffits and dropped ceilings to accommodate ductwork. While this approach is certainly functional, it may not be the best solution in a period-home setting. Instead, pairing modern, efficient boilers with existing radiators (and, where needed, new supply and return piping) can create a more historically accurate appearance as well as a quality of heat many homeowners prefer. , a comprehensive website covering all things mechanical, and a frequent contributor to many plumbing-industry publications. "Almost always, the radiators are fine," he says. "The boilers usually need to be replaced, because they're either leaking or just completely inefficient by today's standards."

Replacing the boiler isn't just a matter of switching out old for new, Holohan notes. He says mechanical pros need to be aware that these retrofit scenarios can pose a safety hazard: Flue gases from new, high-efficiency models can condense in old chimneys, and the resulting highly acidic water can eat away at mortar. This can cause the chimney to collapse internally, he says, causing carbon monoxide to back up into the house. He suggests either installing a stainless-steel chimney liner when replacing the boiler or opting for a boiler that doesn't require a chimney-based exhaust. Supply and return pipes, also may need replacing, Holohan says. For steam systems, "wet" return lines — return piping running below the boiler's water line — often suffer corrosion over the years, as steamed CO2 makes the water running through these lines acidic. Pipe faces additional corrosion risks when it's been buried in concrete, because acidic fly ash used to make concrete can eat the pipe from the outside, he says.

Whether the piping is new or original, Holohan says that insulating both "wet" and "dry" runs, with either basic fiberglass batting or preformed foam insulation, also can help system performance and extend component life. "The whole idea is to keep the steam from turning into liquid before it gets back to the boiler," he says. Radiators also need to be checked for leaks, especially between individual sections. how a hvac thermostat worksUnits assembled before 1930 or so used threads to connect adjacent sections, Holohan says, adding that leaking threaded radiators generally cannot be repaired. air handling unit control diagramManufacturers switched to a push-nipple design in the 1930s, and leaks in these models can be repaired using a sealant such as J-B Weld.5 ton ac unit commercial

Radiators that cannot be repaired may not need to be replaced one-for-one, Holohan suggests, because today's homes may not need all the heat that original systems were designed to produce. In a brief history lesson, he says that heating systems designed following the Spanish influenza epidemic of 1919 were required to keep houses warm even with the windows were open, because fresh-air circulation was seen as an important disease-fighting strategy. Today, with closed windows and high-efficiency insulation, a comprehensive heating plan could mean fewer radiators overall. The one advantage forced-air systems have over radiators is that forced-air ductwork can accommodate central air-conditioning designs. One potential solution Park suggests is pairing original radiators with an air-conditioning system that uses dedicated, reduced-diameter ductwork. These designs can be retrofitted more easily into existing homes than traditional approaches, often without the need for soffits and dropped ceilings, which can intrude on historic designs.

Regardless of the overall approach, though, renovators need to understand that each period homes is individual and can't be approached in cookie-cutter fashion. Successful developers will realize the impact mechanical-system choices will have on the finished product and bring in the mechanical-system expert early in the design process.We had to make so many decisions when we built our new construction home. I didn’t realize it at the time (having never built a home before), but perhaps our most important decision-making centered around the HVAC system. The trend in new construction these days is toward energy efficiency, and we were completely on board with that. And living where we do on the Delmarva peninsula, where there is currently no access to natural gas, efficiency is exceptionally important. Most heating systems here are driven by electric or propane.  (There are some geothermal systems in the area but not many.) Propane is very expensive—at least a third more than natural gas—so most people in the area opt for electric heat pumps.

The only problem is that electric heat pumps do not work efficiently once the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. We don’t live in a frigid climate, but we do get cold weather. And our experience living in rentals with electric heat pumps wasn’t entirely favorable. So we opted for a hybrid heat pump system—a dual fuel, dual fan-speed unit from Amana. We now get the best of what electric and propane can offer. When it’s above 40 degrees (the temperature threshold is programmable), our furnace uses the electric heat pump to warm our home. And when it drops down below 40, the alternative propane portion of the unit kicks in to do the heating. During our home planning phase, we estimated this hybrid heat pump system would save us $1,200 to $1,500 a year in fuel costs over a conventional propane gas-only furnace. That’s a big deal! Related: Is It Time to Replace Your Furnace? In addition to the dual fuel option, we also went with a dual fan system.

When it’s relatively mild, and the house only needs to warm up by 10 or 15 degrees, the furnace conserves energy by using the lower fan speed. When it’s really frigid, the higher speed setting kicks in to get the warm air moving faster to where it needs to go. Every home and situation is different, so when planning for a furnace, consider these things: - What are the fuel options available in your area, and what are the markets like for those fuels? Are they relatively stable or can there be great fluctuations in cost? What’s the best way to hedge against that when choosing a furnace? - What is the climate like where you live? Are the winters mild or harsh? How hard will this furnace likely need to work? - How much will your fuel costs likely be? Can you save money with a hybrid system? If so, how long will it take to pay for itself, and do you plan to stay in your home that long? Hybrid heat pump systems are more expensive than traditional systems but can pay for themselves in three to five years—or less, as in our case.