Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Forced Hot Air vs Forced Hot Water
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langdon33
11-26-03, 11:14 AM
I am currently researching new heating systems. I currently have electric (Vermont) and I am researching hot air and hot water systems. Which do you think is better and why? With the new humidifires attaached to new hot air systems, doesn't that eliminate the dry air associated with hot air systems.
MusicField
11-26-03, 02:10 PM
What are the neighbors using to heat their houses? This is a good place to start.
Ed Imeduc
11-26-03, 02:18 PM
First Id go to www.warmair.net and see how you come out on fuel cost for where you are. Kick around if you would like A/C at this time Also. If you have electric now would a heat pump work out for you?;) ED
Jay11J
11-26-03, 07:20 PM
If you don't need or want Central A/C then I'd go hot water heat for quiet heat, and even comfort..
If you do want central air, and I'd go with forced air furnace that has 2-stage heating with variable speed blower.
Heat Pump w/ varible speed blower will also be a good choice.. I don't know what your winter is like there.
If you do want central air, and I'd go with forced air furnace that has 2-stage heating with variable speed blower.
Heat Pump w/ varible speed blower will also be a good choice.. I don't know what your winter is like there.
Narroc
11-26-03, 11:32 PM
It's really a matter of personal choice, each system has it advantages and disadvantages. Hot air tends to be quick but also quick to go cold too. It has the advantage of not taking up wall space, If you are very sensitive to heat & cold you might find that hot air has a tendancy to suddenly feel cold (I call it sudden death) just before it fires up again although the new furnaces with multispeed fans help to overcome this.
Hot water is a more gentle heat takes longer to heat the house but takes longer for it to cool down. Radiators tend to heat by radiant effect just feeling the suns rays when outside on a cold day. Radiators tend to take up wall space and tend to sort of limit your options to move the furniture around a bit.
Hot air tend can be a problem if you have respirtary and can spread dust/pollen around. So if you have any problem in that direction then perhaps water may be better.
There is not perfect heating system just like there is no perfect any thing else (Except women) Thats because most things are invented by men.
Hot water is a more gentle heat takes longer to heat the house but takes longer for it to cool down. Radiators tend to heat by radiant effect just feeling the suns rays when outside on a cold day. Radiators tend to take up wall space and tend to sort of limit your options to move the furniture around a bit.
Hot air tend can be a problem if you have respirtary and can spread dust/pollen around. So if you have any problem in that direction then perhaps water may be better.
There is not perfect heating system just like there is no perfect any thing else (Except women) Thats because most things are invented by men.
MusicField
11-28-03, 08:52 AM
In vermont, I imagine that there aren't too many days when you would use AC. Seems like a central AC system for maybe 5 or 10 nights a summer would not be worth it compared to what it costs to buy and run a window AC unit, if you don't already have one, which you might not, because after all, it is Vermont, the New England state that has the BEST weather (for skiing).