heating and cooling options

[Alex Warner]

I have  just bought a house in CT and at the moment it has electric baseboard heating and a pellet stove. At the moment I live in the house, but I am considering renting the house in the next year or so. Usually rental insurance does not allow any type of stove, so I was going to remove it before I rent the house. I have heard it can be harder to find longterm renters if the house has electric heat due to the high operating cost. This house use to have a furnace, but the owner decided to put electric heat instead. The house does have existing metal duct work, but it is original from 1956 . I have gotten one quote from a HVAC contractor and he did not want to use the old duct work. He gave me a quote of 10 grand to put a 95%  propane Bryant Furnace and new duct work in the attic. I am also considering just installing mini split heat pump units in the house to decrease the renters heating costs. I am considering a option that will be cost effective and attractive to more potential renters.   

[Russell W.]

If the house is already ducted, go with a forced air furnace/AC. Perhaps the one HVAC guy that looked at it didn't want to use the in-place ducts because he thought they'd be too dirty, or maybe because they weren't sized/designed correctly, or maybe, just maybe, he wanted more work for himself. Get a second and third estimate. GFA with existing ducts is going to be your most affordable option by far, even if its high efficiency. Assuming the design from the 50's is sufficient then the worst you might need to do is have the ducts cleaned.