ᐅ Single-family house from 1962: issues with heating pipes and radiators?

Hello everyone,

My wife and I are currently inspecting a house that seems interesting to us, trying to determine if it can be reasonably renovated within an affordable budget.

A new gas condensing boiler was installed a few years ago. Copper pipes have also been partially laid through the basement to reconnect the radiators on the ground floor.

However, the entire house still has steel ribbed radiators of unknown age, possibly even original to the house. There are also thick steel pipes within the walls supplying the radiators. The radiators are located in niches beneath the windows. These niches are planned to be closed off, so the radiators will need to be moved slightly forward.

Should the steel pipes and radiators also be replaced? On the ground floor, this seems quite feasible since the rooms could be supplied from the boiler in the basement via pipes running above the basement ceiling. The upper floor is different—I have no idea how the pipes are routed or how complicated that would be.

I am also wondering if a new gas boiler works well with these large pipes and old ribbed radiators, or if that doesn’t matter.

Thank you very much in advance for your ideas!

Best regards,
Patrick

paddylg schrieb:
I wonder whether a new gas heating system would fit well with the large pipes and the old radiator panels, or does it not matter?

Since you admit to being inexperienced in this area, you should consult an expert, meaning a heating specialist or a professional plumber.

I think it’s wrong to separate this question from your existing concerns. Ultimately, this is an all-in-one package that will either result in a charming home or a money pit.

paddylg schrieb:
The house doesn’t have an energy performance certificate (which probably wouldn’t look good anyway). I have no idea what it would cost to heat this house. Is all the effort worth it, or will we just be overheating ourselves to death?

An energy performance certificate is mandatory, especially for the seller. Even a low-income owner would have had to obtain one a few years ago.

Regarding the rest: the main focus here seems to be on improving the energy efficiency standard, along with some electrical work.
I think the flooring is fine; it looks fairly new?
The kitchen floor tiles also likely look better than many laminates that might be installed instead.
As for the bathrooms: pink is indeed quite extreme nowadays, but the ground floor bathroom is completely on-trend or already fits current trends. While they’re not subway tiles, at least the color and texture are appropriate. The rest also looks reasonable. What exactly do you want to change here?

In general, I like these kinds of houses; it could have been my grandmother’s. If you buy something like this, you should embrace the style, including the beautiful parquet floors and the bathrooms. It’s not ugly, just different. In a few years, many people will want this style. Of course, not those who currently prefer everything in gray and black, but those already interested in new trends.
There is a user here who has brought the old charm back to their home, including a yellow kitchen. Just take a look.
@DieScholz´ens