2007-11-10 07:59:52 · 7 answers · asked by Diane L 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It is not so much about the radiators as the boiler that supplies the radiators. If you buy one look for a high efficiency boiler or plan on high heating bills. Also keep in mind that if you use the radiators and you have to have a separate system if you want air conditioning. For more info, see the boilers page at www.hvac-for-beginners.com
2007-11-10 08:11:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Radiator heat is a great option. When I visit my grandparents in winter I love to warm my clothes up by putting them over the radiators. It's efficient so long as you have an efficient boiler. The pipes running the hot water also take up a lot less space than duct work. The main draw back will be air conditioning. It will be a huge expense to add central air to an older home with hot water heat. I weighed the same options when home shopping and in the end I bought a home with forced air so I could have air conditioning.
2007-11-10 17:08:42 · answer #2 · answered by Bonobo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Replace the older large coil radiators with the smaller small coil efficiancy radiators...they throw much more heat. If the system is a steam system dont forget to balance the system....the right size air vents on radiators in each room
2007-11-10 20:30:25 · answer #3 · answered by Edward S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally like radiators. Some would say they're inefficient but that depends on how you heat the water. If it's solar it would be green. Maybe not practical, bit green. Radiated heat is making a bit of a resurgence in floors. Heated floors work quite well.
2007-11-10 16:58:10 · answer #4 · answered by Davido 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think hot water or steam heat is the best. You don't have the "blasts" of hot air coming from the registers and then wait for the next time the furnace kicks on. Furniture is kept at a constant temp also. Having to add an additional unit for cooling is the only drawback.
2007-11-10 16:32:02 · answer #5 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I grew up with radiator heat my whole life, and I love it !!! It warms the room evenly unlike forced air heat. The main thing to remember is to have the furnace inspected by a professional. If it needs costly repairs you can negotiate them into the offer to purchace the house.
2007-11-10 16:17:31 · answer #6 · answered by DJ 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my opinion is that there would be no "green" value. I am sure that they are very inefficient users of energy, therefore, a drain on your budget and not great for the environment.
2007-11-10 16:05:06 · answer #7 · answered by justagorilla 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋