In March of this year, we purchased a home that is almost, if not already, 100 years old.
As of right now there is a Natural Gas Water boiler system that sits UNDER the house with large radiators inside each room.
Since the boiler sits under the house, it gets flooded when there is a large amount of rain. (whoever put it in, dug a small area down into the ground and put the boiler there)
As of right now it is turned off, red tagged by the gas company, because it sat under water.
The house was a foreclosure so we don't have a lot of history on it.
My question is this - we are thinking about doing away with the boiler and adding natural gas space heater type units to the house.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
We could add a sump pump by the boiler but in the opinion of some other contractors - we will be continually doing maintenance on this thing to keep it going.
Would greatly appreciate any thoughts or ideas on this.
The house is about 2800 sq. feet.
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James A on Aug 14, 2011Sounds like a great place. Don't know how much need you will have for heat in Deland, Florida. Perhaps point of need heating will do be it gas or electric. I definitely would get rid of the old unit. Being under the house, old and water damaged you will just be putting yourself up for more headaches in the future.Helpful Reply
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KMS Woodworks on Aug 14, 2011Tying into these existing "radiators" would be the least intrusive. Perhaps a new boiler mounted in a smallish lean-too shed on the side of the home? Tying that into the existing distribution system may be better than having multiple standalone units that will require instal and gas supplies.Helpful Reply
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Mikki C on Aug 14, 2011Thanks so much. James - I had heard about point of need heating - will have to look that up. It doesn't get cold much here - but when it does.. it's still cold. LOL. KMS - I didn't think of putting something on the side of the house. That's something to think about too. Thank youHelpful Reply
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Harold M on Aug 14, 2011How about a set of gas logs. I have a ventless set and heat my whole house with them. I reverse the ceiling fans and it does a good job.Helpful Reply
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James A on Aug 15, 2011Point of need is just wherever the heck it's cold, such as a baseboard heater in the bathroom.Helpful Reply
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Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com on Aug 18, 2011Do not change anything. The age of the home dictates a lot about how it needs to be heated. If the walls have not been properly insulated the current radiation should have been sized to handle this issue. By installing forced air or individual units in rooms you will upset the balance of the entire home and possible cause moisture issues within wall cavities etc. If its a gas boiler it can be repaired. Burners need to be cleaned and serviced. Insulation on boiler jacket can be replaced. Controls such as gas valve also can be changed. My thoughts on this is that the power was off which is why the boiler/basement area flooded in first place. Now that your perhaps in the house with electrical on, has the house had any flooding issues now? If not fix existing boiler or replace with new, but unless you know what is going on inside walls I would be careful of putting in another type of system. If you need more information, feel free to email me your number or call number on my profile any evening (east coast time) I will be glad to assist you and explain this with much more detail to you then. BobHelpful Reply
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James A on Aug 19, 2011Woodbridge makes a good point. Is it possible you are fixing something that isn't broken?Helpful Reply
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Nichter's Home Services Corp on Aug 19, 2011Typically, a sump would take care of this, but my memory reminds me that in FL, when you get the greatest rain/flooding potential, it is because of hurricanes, which can also just happen to cut off the electricity that drives a sump pump. That suggests you have a poorly designed installation. The fact that contractors on site have suggested that you are looking at a long term problem tells me more than my own assumptiomns and experiences that might other wise apply to this. I do favor the idea of using the existing radiators, but would look for a location fro a boiler that is not underwater. What sort of site do you have? Is it possible to dig in a gravity drain to daylight that would not require a powered pump?Helpful Reply
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Madelaine S on Aug 19, 2011I agree with Woodbridge. Even if you need to replace the boiler itself, there are so many improvements with boilers that you might end up with a smaller unit with the same BTU output of the current unit. Or look at two smaller units that cascade (the second unit will only come on during your coldest days/nights). This might keep the unit out of a hole. Good Luck!Helpful Reply
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Mikki C on Jul 12, 2012Looks like we may be going with a tankless water heater into a holding tank.. less money and more efficient.. I hope.. not 100% but that looks like it may be the way to go..Helpful Reply
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