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Alternative to Forced Air Heat?

Question:

What alternatives are there to forced air heat for an existing home? I currently have a Carrier furnace in a 2-story house.  It’s very noisy and I’m thinking of replacing it.  I would love to have something that doesn’t have the noise of the gas jets (the furnace is in a closet off the living room) and doesn’t have the noise of the forced air. Thanks in advance, barbara

Response:

> What alternatives are there to forced air heat for an existing home? > I currently have a Carrier furnace in a 2-story house.  It’s very noisy > and I’m thinking of replacing it.  I would love to have something that > doesn’t have the noise of the gas jets (the furnace is in a closet off > the living room) and doesn’t have the noise of the forced air. > Thanks in advance, > barbara

Hi, Barbara. Sounds like lousy engineering, mostly.  Of the pieces and the system.  You might look into what can be done to quiet the existing system.  I’ve a ‘57-vintage unit in the basement, and it whispers- now.  The previous owners had it firing hot and hard- when the burner fired, it was like an artillery impact. There are things that can be done to affect blower noise: balancing, fan speed, duct decoupling, soundj-proofing the furnace enclosure.  Etc., etc. In other words, you likely accomplish your goals with much less cost than anticipated. HTH, John

Response:

John, Thanks for the information, I wasn’t aware that much tuning could be done. You’re right, part of the noise, in fact a large part, is the gas jets which practically shake the house when they fire up.  I’m also aware of a lot of noise from the air coming through the ducts.  I’ll get someone out to see what can be done. Barbara – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> What alternatives are there to forced air heat for an existing home? > I currently have a Carrier furnace in a 2-story house.  It’s very noisy > and I’m thinking of replacing it.  I would love to have something that > doesn’t have the noise of the gas jets (the furnace is in a closet off > the living room) and doesn’t have the noise of the forced air. > Thanks in advance, > barbara > Hi, Barbara. > Sounds like lousy engineering, mostly.  Of the pieces and the system.  You > might look into what can be done to quiet the existing system.  I’ve a > ‘57-vintage unit in the basement, and it whispers- now.  The previous > owners had it firing hot and hard- when the burner fired, it was like an > artillery impact. > There are things that can be done to affect blower noise: balancing, fan > speed, duct decoupling, soundj-proofing the furnace enclosure.  Etc., etc. > In other words, you likely accomplish your goals with much less cost than > anticipated. > HTH, > John

Response:

See if they can turn down the gas consumption a bit (new orfices) and especially lower the blower speed. If the heater keeps up with the cold by running a bit longer, you just saved yourself lots of money, and probably gained a more comfortable house. — Richard I also hate spam so please discard the "stop" from my address for a personal reply. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >What alternatives are there to forced air heat for an existing home? >I currently have a Carrier furnace in a 2-story house.  It’s very noisy >and I’m thinking of replacing it.  I would love to have something that >doesn’t have the noise of the gas jets (the furnace is in a closet off >the living room) and doesn’t have the noise of the forced air. >Thanks in advance, >barbara

Response:

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