Heating an old house is a balancing act often met with trouble. Many early homes were built without any type of central heating system (unless you count the chimney) meanwhile others are faced with aging, and incompetent systems.
Unless you are planning to remodel your house, you probably have no other choice in the matter but to deal with systems such as these: existing steam or hydronic radiators powered by a broiler, or forced air ducts fueled by a furnace. Even if you don’t intend to tear out your floor, there are ways to incorporate new technology that will make your system more competent, and more comfortable to live with.
Landowners have long complemented central heating systems with wood or gas burning fireplaces, stoves and inserts. These often proficient components may boost warmth in a gathering room or even heat a small house at prices that make sense to most homeowners, but there are plenty of other choices that can resolve heating problems or increase comfort in chilly spots like entries, porches, and bathrooms.
Got a steam or hot water system with indisposed radiators?
No need to throw out the boiler with the bath water when you replace the broken one with a new one. Choices can consist of nearly silent baseboard units that melt into the wall, flat-fins units that tuck under windows, or streamlined tubular radiators that look like the originals you may already have.
Want to know more about better heating your home? Get in touch with Oehlert Bros. to find out how!