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What are the prospects of finding a house with radiators, or at least radiant heat, in Boise? This seems like a minor detail, but I had the heat on over part of the weekend, and I am once again reminded of how much forced air heat tears apart my sinuses. Are there enough older houses in Boise that it wouldn't be difficult to find a place with radiant heat, or would it be a needle in a haystack chore? (I have no definite plans of moving to Boise, but it's the main city I'd consider possibly relocating to, and I thought I'd ask this while it occurred to me.)
Rant: why has forced air heat become the norm when it causes so much sinus trouble, especially given how widespread sinus-related health problems are in this country?! Any expert on sinus health that I've read has commented negatively on forced air heat (if they've discussed the matter).
What are the prospects of finding a house with radiators, or at least radiant heat, in Boise? This seems like a minor detail, but I had the heat on over part of the weekend, and I am once again reminded of how much forced air heat tears apart my sinuses. Are there enough older houses in Boise that it wouldn't be difficult to find a place with radiant heat, or would it be a needle in a haystack chore? (I have no definite plans of moving to Boise, but it's the main city I'd consider possibly relocating to, and I thought I'd ask this while it occurred to me.)
Rant: why has forced air heat become the norm when it causes so much sinus trouble, especially given how widespread sinus-related health problems are in this country?! Any expert on sinus health that I've read has commented negatively on forced air heat (if they've discussed the matter).
I've seen a number of older (mid-century) homes with radiant baseboard heaters. I can't say exactly how common they are, but they do exist. Also, if you had an old house with a basement it wouldn't be out of the question to retrofit in-floor radiant heat for the main level. They now make in-floor heating systems that use a lower heat that's better suited for working with wooden floors. You couldn't do that with carpeting on the floor, but it can work out okay with existing hardwood.
Sorry, I didn't see your post the first time around.
There are 26 active listings in Ada county right now that have "Radiant" listed as their heat source type.
They are mostly higher priced homes. Of the 26, only 9 are under $300,000 (one of which is in Kuna, rather than Boise, and one of which has a short sale contingent offer on it already). So there really are 7, under $300,000 in Boise, on the market today. Not a lot, but also not none.
If you are renting, there are several older north end apartment buildings (some are houses converted to apartments) that have radiant heat. There aren't a ton out there, but there are some. Also, there is a large part of the east end, around Warm Springs Boulevard, with historic homes heated by geothermal heat. These homes have very affordable heating bills as they participate in a small public hot water heating system--all radiant heat in various forms.
When I have buyers look at houses with radiant heat they often see this type of heat as a problem and see converting to forced air heat as a must-do "upgrade." I try to point out just what you've posted, ApartmentNomad, that radiant heat is not only extremely comfortable and "even" heat, it is also very healthy, particularly to those with allergy and sinus problems. I end up sounding like I'm just trying to sell them on the house so I'm glad to see your post--radiant heat really is a great form of heat!
I am curious--one downside to older homes with radiant heat is that they usually don't have duct work in place for central air conditioning. Does central air bother your sinuses, too (I'd assume it would dry the air and that's the source of the problem)? Or just the heat?
There are 7 listings with geothermal heat in Boise, too, but the only one under $300k is a townhouse.
I did just look up baseboard heat, and there are quite a few of those in the less expensive range. I don't know how that rates on the allergy scale, but if baseboard works for you, that is more common than radiant heat.
Thanks for the additional responses. Sorry, I am just seeing them now.
To benchfan, yes, central air can be a problem because of its drying effects, although central forced air heating is worse.
In my current place (2BR bi-level apartment) I have refrigerated air, which works extremely well in this building. I had the same thing in the last apartment I lived in, but there were lots of problems with it. I'm not entirely sure I even understand what a refrigerated air cooling system is, but apparently it adds moisture to the air.
Thanks again, this is just a very tentative question. I like it in Albuquerque and I'm likely to remain here, but Boise would have certain advantages, and I have it in the back of my mind as a potential alternative.
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