JohnBoston
New Member
Hello,
In early planning stages of a basement reno. and would like to get some input.
First off, I should say that I am very happy with my current heating system, although it is outdated and less efficient, and the only reason I am taking on this project is to gain headspace in the basement.
Also, I don't have the $ to do a full system upgrade (mod con direct vent etc etc) so it is something like this approach or not at all.
Some details about the house and current heating system:
- 100 yr old, 2000 sq ft, brick exterior colonial, outside of Boston. We have been living here 5 years.
- 2 floors living area with unfinished attic and basement.
- Gas heated Utica boiler from 1996 (150K input), and Ruud 50 gallon hot water heater from 2015 (40K input). We also have a gas dryer and stove.
- One zone/single thermostat.
- The boiler is serviced every year and they always say it is in great condition, I know as well that it is 25 yrs old. If/when it goes I would prefer another low maintenance, longer life cast iron replacement.
- 2 original gravity 3" cast iron loops (feed and return) supplied from 1 1/4" copper from the boiler. The 3" loop is supplying 12 cast iron radiators (8 on first floor).
- Single Taco 007-F4 circulating pump
- The radiator feed lines from the 3" loop are a mix of 1" iron (mostly), and 3/4" copper. There does not seem to be any reason as to why some are 1" and some are 3/4 - not radiator size related and the all heat equally well.
- I have not run a heat calc on the radiators but the largest is 5ftL x 20" H x 8" D (and has 26 sections)
The general plan:
- Remove the 3" cast iron loops and replace with home run 1/2" pex-al-pex direct to each radiator to replace the current 1" and 3/4 inch supply.
- Feed and return manifolds tied in to the current 1 1/4" copper from the boiler.
- Keep everything else the same.
Are there obvious red flags in this plan? Things that I have not considered that I should? I can upload pics if helpful.
Thanks
In early planning stages of a basement reno. and would like to get some input.
First off, I should say that I am very happy with my current heating system, although it is outdated and less efficient, and the only reason I am taking on this project is to gain headspace in the basement.
Also, I don't have the $ to do a full system upgrade (mod con direct vent etc etc) so it is something like this approach or not at all.
Some details about the house and current heating system:
- 100 yr old, 2000 sq ft, brick exterior colonial, outside of Boston. We have been living here 5 years.
- 2 floors living area with unfinished attic and basement.
- Gas heated Utica boiler from 1996 (150K input), and Ruud 50 gallon hot water heater from 2015 (40K input). We also have a gas dryer and stove.
- One zone/single thermostat.
- The boiler is serviced every year and they always say it is in great condition, I know as well that it is 25 yrs old. If/when it goes I would prefer another low maintenance, longer life cast iron replacement.
- 2 original gravity 3" cast iron loops (feed and return) supplied from 1 1/4" copper from the boiler. The 3" loop is supplying 12 cast iron radiators (8 on first floor).
- Single Taco 007-F4 circulating pump
- The radiator feed lines from the 3" loop are a mix of 1" iron (mostly), and 3/4" copper. There does not seem to be any reason as to why some are 1" and some are 3/4 - not radiator size related and the all heat equally well.
- I have not run a heat calc on the radiators but the largest is 5ftL x 20" H x 8" D (and has 26 sections)
The general plan:
- Remove the 3" cast iron loops and replace with home run 1/2" pex-al-pex direct to each radiator to replace the current 1" and 3/4 inch supply.
- Feed and return manifolds tied in to the current 1 1/4" copper from the boiler.
- Keep everything else the same.
Are there obvious red flags in this plan? Things that I have not considered that I should? I can upload pics if helpful.
Thanks
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