The only reason my husband and I were able to afford such a big piece of property and large home in an advantageous location was because everything was incredibly rundown.
No one had lived in the house or done any repairs or updates on the place in quite a few years.
Since we are especially handy and like home remodeling projects, we were excited to get started. The need to gut the house down to the bare studs offered an opportunity to make changes. We updated the electrical panel, wires and outlets to better meet our needs as well as safety codes. We replaced corroded plumbing pipes with PVC, swapped out drains and fixtures and installed a new water heater. We made improvements to everything from the appliances, cupboards and windows to the heating system. We decided to remove the ancient ductwork and outdated furnace and invest into a modern boiler system. We prefer the advantages of hydronic heating over forced air. A boiler operates almost silently, costs less to run and can be expected to last about twice as long. It heats up water and sends it through a closed system of pipes that won’t introduce contaminants into the air or cause issues with insufficient humidity. These pipes work to spread heat across the surface of the floor that rises slowly and avoid cold spots. There is no ugly equipment taking up living space or requiring furniture to be arranged around it. We also have the advantage of zone control. With a separate thermostat in each room, we’re able to avoid heating empty areas and tailor comfort to personal preference.