Baseboard heating to a furnace?

Question

We just bought a new house, and unfortunately it is baseboard heating. We would really like to change it to a regualar forced air electric furnace, but are unsure how complicated it will be. The floor joices in the basement run the opposite way we need to run the duct work, so we arent sure how that will work. Has anyone does this, and if so, any tips or suggestions?

Answer 1

USA    If available, you should consider a gas fired furnace in lieu of electric.  Check the amount of attic insulation you have.  If it is less than R38, you will have very high electric bills.  Your walls should be insulated to R11 or 13, with windows that do not leak air.  Double pane windows are much better than single pane with storm windows.

The duct can run below the joists, it will just decrease the head room at those areas.  It can be run along the perimeter to reduce the inconvenience.

Have two licensed HVAC contractors do heat loss calculations (this MUST be done to accurately size the furnace) and provide their ideas and cost proposals for the work.  Go with 3 contractors if they are available.  Then, choose the one who gives you the best job - which is not necessarily the cheapest.

Answer 2

The question is impossible to answer on here without seeing how much room you have for ductwork.  There are other options besides below floor for forced air heating.  Is there an attic space?  Are soffits a reasonable option?  There are even systems available that use high static pressure and small ductwork.  I cannot say how well they work because I have never installed one but they do not require as much room for duct as a standard system.