Seeking steam heat expert in Lewiston/Auburn Maine area

The Maine Hot Water Mafia

Hi- I have also had run ins with what I call “The Maine Hot Water Mafia” when I initially tried to get my 1 pipe steam system fixed.  “We can’t fix your steam system, it’s too old!” , “ It’s obsolete!”,  “It’s an antique!, You need to modernize!”  Most of them are really good guys, it's just that they don't really understand steam heating.

Luckily for me I found this website and Dan’s great steam books. If you don't have them already I'd highly recommend them to you.  They are written so the homeowner new to steam can understand them. A few evenings of reading will put your knowledge of steam heating light years ahead. The books quickly pay for themselves many times over!

   

You can get them in the Shop section of this website at the top of this page.

Start  with “We Got Steam Heat!” as it’s a good introduction to steam and steam terminology. http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Steam-Heating-Books/25/61/We-Got-Steam-Heat-A-Homeowners-Guide-to-Peaceful-Coexistence

and continue with “The Lost Art of Steam Heating”  

http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Steam-Heating-Books/25/68/Lost-Art-Of-Steam-Heating

They are also available as a package deal http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Steam-Heating-Books/25/129/A-Steamy-Deal   



I see VaporVac has posted the thread with Ken Viger’s address.   I’ve referred several people to him and they were very happy with his work. You didn’t mention whether you were on oil or gas fuel. If gas is available, you may want to consider switching over to NG gas if you’re now on oil. Most times it’s just a matter of switching  out the burners. The cost savings with using gas is quite substantial.



You might also want to take a look at Gerry Gill’s website.

http://www.gwgillplumbingandheating.com/

Gerry Gill is a expert Cleveland steampro and has a lot of good information on his website on steam heating. Pay particular attention to what he says about venting especially on venting your steam mains.  Increasing my main venting really improved the operation of my system. As there is so much hot water done in Maine, getting parts for a steam system can be a hassle as most heating places don’t stock them. Most steam items like radiator and main vents can be got at Pex Supply  http://www.pexsupply.com/  on the internet.

- Rod



                

Wet Based vs Dry Based

Hi- Typical oil fired steam boilers are "wet based" with a forced draft oil burner.  “Wet based” meaning that the boiler water surrounds the burner flame. Typical gas atmospheric boilers are “dry based” in that the boiler is positioned above the gas flame, similar to a pot of water on a gas stove.. An atmospheric burner is also similar to a gas stove in that it uses natural draft rather than forced draft (blower).



Wet based boilers with a gas power burner (forced draft) - Due to the price of oil steadily climbing a large number of wet based boilers with oil burners are being switched over to power gas burners. A lot of the pros on this website consider that using a wet based boiler with a gas power burner (forced draft) is the best setup for getting maximum fuel economy and are installing this setup as a replacement boiler.   In a thread a bit farther down the page JStar has posted pictures of a very nicely done Smith G-8 wet based with a Carlin gas power burner.

http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/146647/Steam-Replacement

I have a Peerless ETC and would change it in an instant if gas was available.



I haven’t used Ken’s services as I haven’t had a need for them as yet as most of the work necessary I do myself and on the burner I have a local guy that is very good with them (doesn’t know steam at all) When it gets time for a replacement boiler or if we ever get gas service then I will be contacting Ken. As I’ve mentioned I’ve referred other people to him and they have been very satisfied with his work. 

- Rod