That’s like driving a car with 300k miles and still trusting it for a road trip—impressive, maybe a little risky. Here’s my “flip” take: forced air is great for quick, even heat, but radi...
Hitting 20 years on the same HVAC is pretty wild, not gonna lie. I totally agree about insulation being the real MVP—so many times people blame their system when it’s really cold air sneaking in through old windows or gaps.
About switching from radiators to forced air, I’ve seen a few folks wish they hadn’t, mostly because of that “old-school charm” you mentioned and how radiators don’t dry out the air as much. But forced air is way more efficient for cooling if you ever want central AC later. It’s a trade-off... depends what matters most to you.
Still running a 20-year-old HVAC? That’s a solid run—most folks I talk to are lucky to get 15 before something major gives out. I’m with you on insulation being the unsung hero. I’ve seen people dump thousands into new systems and still complain about drafts, only to realize their attic is basically a wind tunnel.
If you’re thinking about swapping radiators for forced air, here’s a quick breakdown from what I’ve seen on jobs:
1. Check your insulation first. If your house is leaky, no system will perform well. Air sealing and attic insulation are usually the best bang for your buck.
2. Radiators do have that cozy, steady heat—plus, like you said, they don’t dry out the air as much. Forced air can feel “blasty” and does tend to drop humidity, especially in winter.
3. If central AC is in your future, forced air makes it way easier. Retrofitting AC into a radiator setup gets expensive fast, unless you go with ductless mini-splits (which are great but not always cheap).
4. Maintenance is different. Forced air = filters and duct cleaning. Radiators = bleeding lines and making sure nothing leaks.
Personally, I lean toward keeping radiators if you love that vibe and don’t mind window units or mini-splits for cooling. But if you want one system to do it all, forced air is more flexible long-term.
One thing I’d add: if your HVAC is still going strong after 20 years, maybe just keep riding it out while you tighten up your insulation and windows. When it finally kicks the bucket, you’ll be in a better spot to decide what’s next—and maybe new tech will make the choice easier.
Just my two cents from crawling around too many attics...
