BOILER HEATING SYSTEM

[Frank LaQuaglia]

In the past couple of weeks I have run into two potential houses that use boilers for heating. One house had a separate AC system with ducts and the second did not have any ducts. I'm thinking that the 2nd house will need a new furnace, AC and ducts. On the first house I can probably use the AC ducts for heating and cooling. I'm working in the NE Ohio region where it gets pretty cold in the winter.

Any one have any thoughts on boiler systems. Should they stay or should they go?

thanks

[Dan T.]

I'll let others chime in on potential issues of having a boiler system in a rental or flip since I'm not familiar with that aspect, but I will say that if you read up on HVAC forums it seems that radiant heat from boiler systems is preferable from a comfort standpoint. Provides more even heating without drafts etc. Especially when the alternative is retrofitting ductwork or using potentially improperly placed retrofit ductwork. Apparently A/C "mini-split" systems are a good option for installing A/C in a house without existing ductwork these days as well, particularly in older homes with original plaster where installing ductwork would be a big issue. Again these perspectives are from a homeowners standpoint, so may be less relevant when looking at cost/benefit for a potential flip.