In March of this year, we purchased a home that is almost, if not already, 100 years old.

It's in AMAZING shape but we are trying to figure out what we are going to do for HEAT in the fall/winter.

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. ...»

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Here is one of many 'radiators' that are in the house

10 Comments

James A Roswell, GA

Sounds 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.

on Aug 14, 2011 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

Tying 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.

on Aug 14, 2011 · Like 0
Mikki C Deland, FL

Thanks 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 you

on Aug 14, 2011 · Like 0
Harold M Franklin, NC

How 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.

on Aug 14, 2011 · Like 0
James A Roswell, GA

Point of need is just wherever the heck it's cold, such as a baseboard heater in the bathroom.

on Aug 15, 2011 · Like 0
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

Do 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.
Bob

on Aug 18, 2011 · Like 1
James A Roswell, GA

Woodbridge makes a good point. Is it possible you are fixing something that isn't broken?

on Aug 19, 2011 · Like 0
Nichter's Home Services C... Islesboro, ME

Typically, 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?

on Aug 19, 2011 · Like 0
Madelaine S Fairmont, WV

I 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!

on Aug 19, 2011 · Like 0
Mikki C Deland, FL

Looks 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..

on Jul 12, 2012 · Like 0

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In March of this year, we purchased a home that is almost, if not already, 100 years old.

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