Installing a heating system from scratch (old farm house)

Verticaltrx · Oct 23, 2012

I agree with everyone's concerns about the 'tightness' of the house and insulation. That will be a project that will be ongoing as it is going to be a big job. The walls are filled with sawdust and that's about the extent of the insulation. In a year or two we plan on pulling all the old wood and vinyl siding off, insulating, house wrap and James Hardy siding. In the mean time we'll insulate the attic and basement.

riptides · Oct 23, 2012

Verticaltrx said:
I agree with everyone's concerns about the 'tightness' of the house and insulation. That will be a project that will be ongoing as it is going to be a big job. The walls are filled with sawdust and that's about the extent of the insulation. In a year or two we plan on pulling all the old wood and vinyl siding off, insulating, house wrap and James Hardy siding. In the mean time we'll insulate the attic and basement.

I have to warn you that my farmhouse had asbestos siding, under layers of other siding. It was like peeling back an onion. This of course upped the cost for removal.

We attacked our insulation issues from the inside, as we resided the outside.

Verticaltrx · Oct 23, 2012

What can yall tell me about the wood furnaces (the indoor, hot air type)? While an outdoor wood boiler may be the best way to go, I'm looking at all the options. I've looked at a couple and they seemed like a good idea. Don't remember the brand I looked at, but it had a huge firebox, almost as big as a OWB. Looks like you could load it up and let it go all day. More efficient or less efficient than a OWB and water heat?

We have a chimney with a stove hookup in the basement and easy access to bring wood in. Thoughts?

ljohnson778 · Oct 23, 2012

Verticaltrx said:
What can yall tell me about the wood furnaces (the indoor, hot air type)? While an outdoor wood boiler may be the best way to go, I'm looking at all the options. I've looked at a couple and they seemed like a good idea. Don't remember the brand I looked at, but it had a huge firebox, almost as big as a OWB. Looks like you could load it up and let it go all day. More efficient or less efficient than a OWB and water heat?

We have a chimney with a stove hookup in the basement and easy access to bring wood in. Thoughts?

Not sure about efficiency, but piping(especially pex) is a LOT easier than running duct work. Especially if you have a second story.