Baseboard Electric..conversion w/ gas - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

sprinklerguy · 12-29-2005, 05:55 PM

Okay here is my deal:

I have a house in the mountains..typical mountain style..meaning main living area and kitchen..mostly all one room. Loft in master bedroom..semi open loft area, meaning an opening in wall to master br...but can be closed off w/ my wife's curtains. Basement also...

right now we have baseboard electric heat in all rooms controlled by their own thermostat...these baseboards are 20yrs old...and some work, some dont....

We mostly heat the house with a LOPI woodstove located in the basement...this causes many problems, not the least of which is the PITA factor of dealing w/ 8 - 12 cords of wood per year..but also the basement gets hoottt. Keeps the rest of the house at about 70 degrees and up.....but it is a real PITA....

The reason I don't just run the baseboard heat is because it can be spendy running them all the time, my questions are:

We have gas available at the stree...natural gas....gas company will install meter, I will install rest..no biggie...but is it worth it?
Can I upgrade these heaters and get more energy efficient/better looking ones?
Should I install a boiler for my hot water and run baseboard water heat?
I don't look forward to hearing about forced air..I hate it.

Would it be better to install direct vented wall heaters and run the gas to them?

Any suggestions are most welcome... I have noticed this year w/ gas prices going way up that the gas customers are complaining and my electric bills would be about the same...that being said...help!!!!

Thanks in advance.

locofoco · 12-29-2005, 06:42 PM

how about a high efficiency gas boiler. Maybe a comb. unit w/ ht water heater. sounds like an easy piping job. Flue could be taken out basement sidewall. If you need a/c you better go to forced air.
Loco

sprinklerguy · 12-30-2005, 08:51 AM

HehHeh...no need for AC in our area....thanks for the suggestion...any place you can suggest for research?

Bestheating · 12-30-2005, 11:54 AM

How reliable is your electrical service? If it is iffy, think about some direct vent gas heaters that do not need electricity for a fan, if the power goes out. (Thermopile systems) At least as part of the heat source. Unfortunately, most direct vent heaters leave part of the dwelling hot and other parts like a walk in refrigerator. Baseboard hot water is really nice, but I think your existing registers would have to go and use appropriate replacements. As a side note, remember that your existing thermostats on electric heat may be line voltage, if you are troubleshooting. Don't get your socks starched!

Trueheat · 12-30-2005, 11:18 PM

Check out the Rinnai products. Rinnai is the only gas fired direct vent wall heater I would recommend. It is very inexpensive to run. ( probably 1/3 of your electric heat bill) and it makes a surprisingly even heat.
Rinnai also makes a really nice on demand hot water heater.
I have used the Rinnai Continuem on demand hot water heater in radiant heating applications, which is also an option if you have an unfinished ceiling in your basement.
If you don't object to oil heat instead of gas, Toyotomi or MPI (Monitor Products Inc.) will give you the least expensive heating options available anywhere. (as far as your fuel bill goes)

747 · 01-01-2006, 12:38 AM

If i read your post correctly. You currently have electric baseboard and would like to change over to copper base board hotwater. You also want the hotwater boiler to be as efficent as possible. I would recomend this unit.

http://www.weil-mclain.com/ultra/modelultra.htm

However it does come with a price tag. You can find a boiler to meet your needs at this website. This company makes the best boiler on the market in my oppion.

Oh i forgot the one i listed above can also be outfitted to make domestic hotwater also.