Central Heating System concerns

mattrobbo99

We are considering offering on a house, but we've just found out that the central heating system is by "hot air" I've done a little reading on this system and maybe it's not for us.
We both suffer from dust allergies, so this concerns us, as does the noise and lack of drying space.
Can you give me a ball park figure to install a new boiler (mid range) and gas central heating for a 4 bed, 2 bathroom, 2 reception room, conservatory
We'd replace all carpet when we moved in so floorboards can come up if required.
Would 4k do a decent job, or am i way out? covering materials and labour
The current system concerns us so we are doing a second viewing tomorrow. what questions do i need to ask? I'll do sme research today but any advice would be much appreciated

wallbash

Some of us love our hot air system .

Noise ............. no noisier than any other system , if fact with the absence of pipes expanding / contracting , could be argued its quieter.

Dust . System does not cause dust ? Yes the trunking is a dust trap , but sticking the hoover down the grills twice a year seems to help us.

Lack of drying space . Don't know , we have a hot water tank and therefore an airing cupboard .

So sorry cant help you with your request , but any 'new' system is going to cost thousands and in my opinion ripping out a working system has to be thought out very carefully .

Cardew

I would have though £4k would be about right.

Get a quote from British Gas and then get local RGI to give a quote for the same specification. From posts on here they should be about 30% cheaper than BG.

alleycat`

Having lived in houses with both system types (mentioned) i personally prefer the warm air system.
The only noise issue i've ever had was when a fan bearing started to wear out.

Neither is noticeably dustier than the other (outside of the previously mentioned ducting dust traps).

Maintenance with the hoover isn't much effort.

My old man prefers the radiators (after replacing his warm air system) so i would guess it is swings and roundabouts.

Depending on access to run pipes i'd say £4K sounds about right for life, but i'd give the warm air system go first.

thills

I've had hot air, it was OK & no dust, no real noise.
My only comment, when it switches on & off, you feel the temp change quickly. There might be modulating systems out there, not sure, but then would be OK.
Often, a stable temperature just feels warmer.
4K is a lump, try it first.

thills

I'll add, in my offices I installed a Fujitsu air to air heat pump, because I need aircon in the summer. It has a similar (& annoying) issue, when it defrosts (which is very often in temps below 0c) you get EXACTLY the same feeling when the warm air stops for several minutes.