This is a 20 year old house, I use 400 therms of natural gas to heat it for the year, heating zone 5. Heat calculation yields a 14K BTU requirement, Manual J close to 24K BTU. Currently with an 80k BTU Munchkin (formerly it also heated the adjacent half of a side by side duplex).
I have had assessment by air to air heat pump installers and have reviewed the state of air to water. The latter seem not yet ready for the 0 degree F design temperature and would require additional emitters (currently fin tubes that are designed for 150 degree water. The lowest level has in slab heat, wonderful.
Air to air also seems to fall short and we really like the hot water heat. If i had my way I would hold off and wait for the technology (and installer competence and manufacturer support) to develop. But the Munchkin makes noise on startup, service guy says it looks OK but I don't want it to go out in the middle of Winter.
I would install a new gas boiler, with the understanding that it 5-10 years I might replace it. But I cannot find a small enough boiler for the heating load, even those with a 10:1 turn down.
Suggestions??
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