I'm getting close to finishing my spec house and trying to make a decision on whether to go Hot Water or Hot Air.
I was leaning toward Hot Air because of cost. Also, there are no frozen pipes worries and no water damage if a pipe fails. But I can get a pretty good deal on a FHW boiler and I think I can install it almost as cheap as Forced hot air.
Any thoughts?
Forced Air Simplifies Central Air Conditioning
Otherwise it is a totally separate system.
Paul in PA
Forced Air Simplifies Central Air Conditioning
He's in N. NH Paul. Central air conditioning is probably not an issue.
I had neither in my house in the western NC mountains.
I had basedboard electric heaters which I tried to never use.
Mostly I just loaded up the wood burning fireplace insert and turned the blowers on.
Even with the power out for several days, so long as kept that cast iron hot we were fine. Of course we slept somewhat close by it.
Forced air heat dries my sinusses (sp?) out big time.
But, that's just me.
it is a spec house... what would sell better?
for a house to live in I prefer zone heating.
Never been involved with hot water heating but I would guess with a little extra plumbing and a few valves it would permit you to selectively heat just the rooms in use. That is Not an easy thing to do with forced air duct work, if even possible.
I don't know how easy it is considered, but I have a friend with a nearly new house that has forced air zones. He didn't go out of his way to look for that, but it may have been offered as an option by the builder.
I'm a fan of hot water over forced air. But I'd figure that forced air might be more compatible to switch to wood if you want. I've known of hot air wood furnaces that use duct work.
Dtp
Are you considering the outdoor woodstove that heats water flowing through pipe to a radiator type heater with a blower spreading the heated air across the house?
It depends..
As Paul said...if you have/want A/C, then forced air makes the a/c part easy.
If no central A/C then I like the heat of radiation.
Forced Hot Water hands down!
Hot water heats the house evenly whereas forced hot air keeps the house breezy and cold most of the time. Forced hot air also just blows dust around and sometimes airborne pathogens. If you have someone prone to allergies or breathing problems, forced hot water is by far the best.
I have had both and forced hot water is by far the best.
Forced Hot Water hands down!
What Merlin III said,
Bob (in S.W.ern) NH
Forced Hot Water hands down!
Agreed with Merlin III and Bob in NH wholeheartedly. Forced hot water is a MUCH more even heat and does MUCH better in cold weather. I grew up in Mass in a house with forced hot water and now in Maryland with hot air.
Forced hot water all the way for colder climates.
For hotter weather in New England, window a/c units did me quite well, no need for central air the majority of the time.
> Are you considering the outdoor woodstove that heats water flowing through pipe to a radiator type heater with a blower spreading the heated air across the house?
lots of people around here have them but they seem to go through a lot of wood.
Forced Air Simplifies Central Air Conditioning
> He's in N. NH Paul. Central air conditioning is probably not an issue.
> I had neither in my house in the western NC mountains.
> I had basedboard electric heaters which I tried to never use.
> Mostly I just loaded up the wood burning fireplace insert and turned the blowers on.
> Even with the power out for several days, so long as kept that cast iron hot we were fine. Of course we slept somewhat close by it.
>
> Forced air heat dries my sinusses (sp?) out big time.
> But, that's just me.
yeah, centralA/C is very uncommon around here though I use a room air conditioner now and then.
> it is a spec house... what would sell better?
>
Exactly, If it was me living there, the decision would be easy but I'm trying to pick something to make it sell.
Troy NH, eh?
Troy is in my old stomping grounds. I grew up in Marlborough not from from the Troy line. I was 3 miles out of town up the Jaffrey road (about 1/2 mile after the Troy Road turns off)
Forced Hot Water hands down!
Me, too. My oil/coal water system gives a very comfortable heat, even throughout the house.
Rick
> I'm getting close to finishing my spec house and trying to make a decision on whether to go Hot Water or Hot Air.
>
> I was leaning toward Hot Air because of cost. Also, there are no frozen pipes worries and no water damage if a pipe fails. But I can get a pretty good deal on a FHW boiler and I think I can install it almost as cheap as Forced hot air.
>
> Any thoughts?
agree with proponents of hot water over hot air especially if ac is not an issue. Look at this method: http://www.pexheat.com/
