Can someone level with me? Taking out radiator system.

[Anonymous]

Our 1925 rowhouse has radiators and a furnace (in the basement). Sometime in the 80s the previous owner put in central A/C (including adding the duct work). I don't love radiator heat plus they are clunky and take up valuable real estate in our home. So, I'm thinking about making the switch to forced air heat (although happy to hear about other alternatives we should consider). If you've ripped out your radiator system (including all those dang holes in the floors), was is a huge process? Any ballpark estimates? General thoughts or cautions? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

You are crazy. I would kill to have radiator heat.

[Anonymous]

Also vote for crazy. You're killing resale value.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Really? I had no idea. People want radiator heat? And it genuinely adds resale value? I'm intrigued and promise I'm not being the least bit snarky.

[Anonymous]

Radiator heat is much healthier than forced air heat! Less dust and more evenly spaced heat. People who like it love it Just make sure it's maintained and that the radiators are in good condition.

[Anonymous]

Radiator heat is much more comfortable and less expensive than forced air. Don't make the mistake of taking out your radiators.

The loss of space is hard, but make nice covers, build them into shelves, etc. and you can make it useful

[Anonymous]

I grew up in a house with radiators. I always found them unattractive, but my mom swore it was the best type of heating. I have them in the house we are living in now and the only annoyance I have is that some are placed poorly (this is a rental though, so I'll deal). Perhaps you can relocate some of the radiators and this will get you some space back.

In our home (that we rent out) there is forced air and floor vents. So we are still loosing some space to the vents. My mom is having a house built in MD and installing forced air - the builder said this was the way to go for the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our 1925 rowhouse has radiators and a furnace (in the basement). Sometime in the 80s the previous owner put in central A/C (including adding the duct work). I don't love radiator heat plus they are clunky and take up valuable real estate in our home. So, I'm thinking about making the switch to forced air heat (although happy to hear about other alternatives we should consider). If you've ripped out your radiator system (including all those dang holes in the floors), was is a huge process? Any ballpark estimates? General thoughts or cautions? Thanks.

You can get the old radiators replaced with newer and more efficient low profile ones that take up less room (look up "Runtal"). That is $$$, though. Not sure if it would be more than adding a forced air unit, but it would be close. How old is your boiler? We are currently in the process of adding radiant back IN to our house; it was replaced by forced air by previous owner. It's an older, drafty house. Don't underestimate the amount of cold air that might leak in through gaps while the air handler is running. Have you had somebody come out and run a pressure test on the house to see how leaky it is? We have so many cold spots that the forced air just makes worse. In my view, retrofitting older homes will never produce great results unless you are doing a full gut and can move everything around and do a really good air sealing job. That being said we are going to keep our furnace for emergency heat in one addition that that "new" radiant won't fully reach (we still need the ducts for A/C anyway).

[Anonymous]

I have allergies and hate the everliving f*ck out of radiators. They get dusty and are hard to clean, and with forced air, you can install high-grade filters and keep your air super clean throughout your house.

We didn't even bother to look at houses with radiators. It's nice to hear some people like them, but I thought they were a nightmare for the 6 years I had to live with them.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for radiators. Love mine but agree they present decorating challenges.

[Anonymous]

OP. I'm so grateful to DCUM today! Thanks for all the positive feedback about keeping the radiators. I will take everyone's advice and consider strongly keeping them and will get them all checked and possibly replace any that aren't up to the task.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Radiator heat is much more comfortable and less expensive than forced air. Don't make the mistake of taking out your radiators.

The loss of space is hard, but make nice covers, build them into shelves, etc. and you can make it useful

+1

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/14/AR2009101401001.html

[Anonymous]

^^^See also

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/15/AR2006111500358.html

[Anonymous]

Ugh. I grew up with forced air and now live in a rental with radiators. I hate, hate, hate radiators. Uneven heating, they're dirty and dust collecting, take up so much space. Sorry to be a dissenter, but I don't understand the radiator worship.

[Anonymous]

radiators are terrible, good choice. Make sure to get a steam humidifier installed with your forced air.