What's the right furnace??

[TheBigIron]

Hi, Just to clarify. DaveH (who has purchased a Kuuma) is not the OP of this thread.

To the original poster (The46Zone) also named Dave, how are you doing with your decision process?

Boiledover, I'm liking what I am reading about the Tundra, however I have given the Wood Boiler a lot of thought. I priced a Tarm wood boiler, but $9000 (i think was last years price) is steep, not sure if I could commit myself to that. You have any thoughts?? Thanks Dave

 

[TheBigIron]

I think I would go at this differently. You have two furnace systems in the place. Figuring how to efficiently and cost effectively to tie into existing ductwork is not an easy thing to do. Your sizing has to be right on the money and the lay-out as well. I would go one of two ways.

Install a wood boiler instead of a furnace. No duct work. You will need to put a hot water coil into the existing high efficiency furnaces duct work and pump the water from the boiler to the coil. You will need a two stage t-stat. The advantage is much simpler install having to run a pair of 3/4 copper lines to each furnace and the one boiler can in fact do both furnaces. If you get really ambitious you could put radiant heat in the sub-floor. In short you have options and options are good when trying to adapt one system to another.

The other thing I would try, that would be less costly than either a furnace or boiler is to put some fans in the basement to move that basement heat into the upstairs. Look at the Tjernlund Airshares. They have room to room and floor to floor fans and they are a good product.

Jackfre, I know there are hundreds of boilers out there on the market today, any advice on a high efficient boiler system brand. I have room for an 8" stainless steel chimney liner in my chimney. Could I install those hot water coils in the return air ductwork of my existing furnaces? Just some more advice would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to spend about $4000 on a boiler if at all possible, i think i can swing this. Thoughts thanks dave

 

[Jackfre]

Jackfre, I know there are hundreds of boilers out there on the market today, any advice on a high efficient boiler system brand. I have room for an 8" stainless steel chimney liner in my chimney. Could I install those hot water coils in the return air ductwork of my existing furnaces? Just some more advice would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to spend about $4000 on a boiler if at all possible, i think i can swing this. Thoughts thanks dave

My information as to "which brand" is so outdated that I am somewhat shy of offering. That is saying something too, as I am rarely one to not offer an opinion. I built one that worked great for my Dad many years ago, but cut it up prior to his selling the place. Tarm is the brand that I knew.

You are better to put the coil in the supply air. It is better to push the air through the coil.