Thanks Sig for your generous advice. I considered my own thread, but how many HVAC threads do we need? When we get started I try to post photos in the projects forum.
Insulation is a priority for us. The current plan is to go ahead and order storm windows right off. We were in the house in the fall and experienced some windy sub-freezing nights and found the windows are a major factor. We were leaning towards steel, powder coated types with low-e glass and get the first floor windows done early in the process, though low budget alternatives are are available short term.
In the spring we will be up to harrow and plant the field and other projects and will be heating the downstairs with 4 oil filled space heaters 1,500 w each that kept us cozy in the fall (especially once we put up heavy curtains in our first floor bedroom) and extracted considerable dollars from our wallet. My plan is to use a heat detecting camera (an attachment for my phone) and take a lot of pictures on a cold night to capture were the worst leaks are. It is a 150+ year old brick house with a double brick wall (the historic term is “double wythe” brick) that has an air space, so insulating the walls would be a major challenge. But little cracks and spaces on the other hand can be sealed and will go a long way towards helping with the envelope. But realistically, unless we spray foam the interior or exterior or build a giant glass enclosure, the house will always be drafty, hence my desire to be able to heat with wood during the coldest periods. Got a design for the wood shed that would include a hatch where wood can be put into the shed from an adjacent covered area at the right height so it can be loaded into the furnace w/o bending over. I appreciate the concern that heating with wood is not for everyone as I am well aware. Note the chimney of the house is in poor condition and we are not interested in using the dual fireplaces (one opens out on the kitchen and the other side the bedroom (formerly parlor). Both fireplaces have remained closed up for 100 years since a major house fire took the roof (10” beams in attic still show scorching and brick work at the peak needed to be replaced and did not match the original brick that was made up the road. Rubble stone cellar needs tightening up as well.
The thinking is a considerable part of the cost will be the rads, windows and insulation. If we decide in 10 years the wood boiler is too much work and the house will be ok with just a gas furnace, figure I can sell the boiler and controls and just abandon the underground lines and all the rest of the work will be cake. Another consideration is my DS has mused on how nice it would be to have a heated greenhouse against the south wall with a door off the kitchen (I think a hot tub was mentioned also). A big wood furnace with plenty of storage makes that a possibility at least.
Just checked here in the city (1,070 sq ft house) and all the 7 radiators top out around 130° at the end over where the intake pipe is according to our laser thermometer, except one small one at 80° that looks to need the air bled off. The thermostat is set for 70° F and the wall next to the stat is 71°. No zones, but we only have one story here and it is 29° outside.
