Forced air heat newbe

[UK4X4]

We are up at the house and the plumber is recomending forced air heating

In the UK we rarely have this - certainly not in any residential buildings

We usually use water fed radiators and gas boilers


What are the things I need to concider....I have had a quote already- 4500 usd for heating 1900sq ft

125,000btu heating unit and all the sheet metal work- luckily we found some relatively easy routes to get the air arround.

Effectiveness ?

Cost -V's convenience

Instant heat-

No freeezing issues- I have a picture from last year of a bottle of RV antifreese -frozen solid...

The cabin will be mostly un occupied in the winter- just for 5 weeks of ski vacation so it will be frozen solid most of the winter

What are peoples thoughts ?

[Woodsrule]

UK,

I've got forced hot water in one home and forced air in the other. The hot air heats the home much faster and the hot water seems to provide a more even, comfortable heat. The cost of installing the hot air was much cheaper than the hot water and you hit on some good points, such as: no freeze up potential and no possibility of leakage, important facts to consider for a seasonal residence. I can't comment on the cost, but I would insist that the system be mapped professionally prior to installation.  Good luck!

[MountainDon]

As Woodsrule said, I think water distributed heat works best with continuous residency or heating while forced air is best for places that are left unheated between occupancies. Hot air is used sd s cost saver for one reason. Another is the dual use of the ducting for A/C. I've lived with both and the hot water radiator system was great back in Canada.

I can't say much on the furnace size other than it seems large. But then I am comparing what is used here where winters are not as cold. What is the efficiency rating on the furnace? Newer high efficiency units can be smaller than the old thinking.

[UK4X4]

The furnace size was based on running on propane at 8500ft - ie to factor in the losses

Just looking at furnaces- efficiency- single 2 or multi position burners

Its all new to me !

To me it looks to a sencible decision- efficiency when its only being used 2-4 times a winter is not so much as a worry
as living there full time

We intend to heat mostly with a wood fireplace - with the central heat as background/arrival warm up and maintenance

even from 1 nights internet search theres a huge price diference when it comes to furnaces- probably need to re-check with the possible supplier
in regards to what he intends to supply-  prefer to invest more once - than need replacement every 3 years

[rick91351]

Have you broke down the cost of BTUs via propane at 8500 ft vs a forced air electric.

[MountainDon]

The obvious derating for fuel burning is that the higher altitude means less oxygen available. Less oxygen means less heat output because fewer BTU's can be used. There is another factor that also affects electric heat. Thinner air carries less heat. Combining the two factors for propane or natural gas and you lose about 4% for each 1000 feet. That is a mind boggling 34% loss. No wonder the numbers looked large.

Ducts have to be sized differently too at higher altitude and the guys who installed our furnace a few years back said motors don't cool as well up high. Lots of things going on. Don't hire a contractor from sea level

[rick91351]

Seem as if we were discussing this with the house we had planed here at the ranch at the time.  A old friend that owned a heating and cooling business said he felt 6000 and below natural gas and propane up here in the sticks preformed and costed out the best.  He liked electric above that.

However that was several years ago and have not really sat down with him and talked as of late.  Especially with the new high efficiency units I am curious if they are able to perform as advertised at higher alt.   

[JRR]

I would consider using the money for a more efficient wood furnace ... plenty cozy with glass windowed doors ... as opposed to the fireplace.  And if any money is left over, more building insulation.