Hey guys, the BOSS and I are looking into purchasing an old 1920's two story farmhouse. 1975 sqft on the first floor and 795 on the second. The place isn't in too bad shape,newer septic system and the water pipes have mostly been replaced, as has the wiring, the plaster walls and ceilings are all still pretty solid, has newer siding and roof, needs a lot of paint and the hardwood floors throughout need refinished, but there are a few things that I would like to change if possible within our budget( which if we buy this place will be next to nothing) and am hoping to get some feedback from any of you that have done this ..

First, the HVAC is non-existent. The house had an old coal fired boiler( undetermined age) that has been converted to NG. but currently isn't hooked up to the chimney or to the gas. I would love to replace it with a central air/heat unit, but there is no duct work. I have been reading on line about the mini-split systems and the HIV systems. anyone have any experience with the install and operation of those? are they worth the big bucks they want for them? anyone know what is involved cost wise with replaceing a boiler?

Second are the windows, there are 44 of them on this house, all double hung single pane with no storms.
Reading the DIY websites as well as a few episodes of This Old House, I am beginning to believe that the $$ of installing replacement windows may not be worth it if the wood frames aren't rotted. Most of the sites are recommending simply ensuring that the glazing is good and installing good storm windows. Any thoughts on this?


here are photos of the place currently:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePh...id=0&ownerid=0

 

ChrisR, that project will keep you busy for a couple of weekends.
I could not open the pix in kodak, as I did not set myself up with a sign it.

 

I have no experience with the HVAC but the windows are a piece of cake to put in replacement one's. I can do one in 20-30 minutes by myself. If you decied to do replace them I can give you detailed instructions but I am not going to give away them just yet. As for the storm windows they will help but not nearly as much as replacements, and if the windows are not a standard size, which I bet they aren't, it is going to still be expensive to put them on and then when you decide to replace the windows it you take the storm off you have holes that you have to deal with. I have probibally installed over 2,000 windows in the last two years and I only installed one set of storm windows ever.

I could not see the pictures because I also did not want to sign up for the site, you might consider getting a photobucket account so that you can let others see the pictures and photobucket is free.

 

Sorry guys, I forgot to uncheck the default box that requires a vistor to sign in, I'll correct that..

both Whelans and the local Anderson dealer told me today that "if they're not rotted" then a good set of storms is a better investment...

I have installed windows before in new construction, the replacements dont look like they would be much more difficult.
My biggest concern actually is the boiler...

 

If they run on weights, you should be able to get a spring kit so you can insulate the voids. Or just drill a hole in the sah and use pins so you can fill the voids with insulation, until you decide to replace them later down the road. I don't know if you could get a line in for the 2nd floor, but you might look at in-floor heating for your main floor since you have natural gas. You could also run on-demand hot water with it.

 

Thats agood idea bout the heating Don..
The windows arent in bad shape at all, probably just gonna scrape'and paint and hang the storms, IF we buy the place..thats still a big IF..
I went over there yesterday, and with one window air unit running , the place was very comfortable.. now how it will be when its 110...?

The seller isnt being very forth coming with info, the place is a pre-foreclosure, and was auctioned about 3 weeks ago.. teh high bid was 130K and they refused it.. however, thru a little investigative research, i have determined that they owe somewhere around 80K on it.. we may just let it go to foreclosure and deal with teh bank if this guy dont want to be a little more co-operative. The last apprassial on the place was in 2000 and it was 160 then..

 

the Kitchen, The Back Deck( and the BOSS's back), 600 sq foot, Stone Outdoor Oven, The dining room

 

Looks like a fun place, I'd keep trying. Plenty of room for an outdoor boiler too. You could yank those big radiators out and swap them for something smaller and modern to be heated by the boiler along with the in-floor and hot water. Save the gas as an emergency back up, or if you plan a trip in the winter.