|
Gas Furnace Prices Carrier
QUESTION:I have a ranch in Northern NJ with a crawl space. Current heating system is
a 125KBTU horizontal flow oil-fired furnace in the crawl, with a cracked
heat exchanger. Still works, but will fail eventually, and it's way too big
for the house (calcs show I need about 65K BTU). DHW is supplied by 20 yr
old electric lo-boy water heater in a closet in the kitchen. All ductwork is
in the crawl, in fairly poor shape, and branches running to rooms are 4 inch
uninsulated sheet metal.
In my quest to add A/C to the system, I have realized that the furnace can't
be salvaged, and adding air to it with the existing ductwork and belt-drive
fan on the furnace would be a big waste.
Using some forward-looking thinking, I am trying to maximize my funds to
replace the pieces that are aging at the same time as adding air. A
contractor who I have come across who is very knowledgable has worked with
me to come up with this idea:
- remove existing furnace
- install a Crown Freeport CT3 boiler in the crawl
- install a Crown indirect water heater in the crawl (or SuperStore if water
quality requires it)
- install a horizontal air handler with direct drive blower in the crawl
(Amana, AmerStd or Thermopride)
(I only have 110V available in the crawl, and most handlers require 220,
except for the Thermopride)
- replace all ductwork with properly sized, sealed and insulated ductwork
for combined AC and heat
- install hot water heating coil in air handler
- install Amana 12SEER condensor
- install coiling coil in air handler
- install air cleaner and new stat
Originally, I thought about going completely to hydronic/baseboard, but it
is just too cost-prohibitive for me at this time.
I have posted in this forum a few weeks ago before I went through enough
contractors until I found one that actually knew what he was talking about.
I think the system above gives me some of the benefits of a hydronic system
with somewhat less "dry" air than a standard furnace. Additionally, it gives
me or a future owner the ability to add radiant flooring heat, or to heat a
hot tub, etc. It also eliminates an old ineffecient electric water heater
and frees up some closet space in the kitchen.
It's still a good chunk of change, but I am very comfortable with this
contractor and I think he would do an outstanding job.
Does this sound like a good way to go? Is a forced air hydronic system a
good choice? Assuming the heating coil is sized correctly, will it provide
good heat for the house? Any downsides to putting the hot water tank in the
unconditioned crawl... I assume I can wrap it in an insulating jacket?
ANSWER: Unless I dont understand totally what you are doing...................
Water in an unconditioned area or crawl space is NEVER a good idea.
Your "Knowledgeable" contractor sounds "Unknowledgeable" to me.
Your "Knowledgeable" contractor seems to have found a way to maxamize
his wallet diameter.
Go back to your drawing board and come up with a new plan.
|
|
|
|
