Best Of
Re: Oversized overtall chimney?
If the boiler was starving for air, wouldn't there be a lack of draft?
The chimney is pulling air from the same space as the boiler, no? Wouldn't the draft absolutely have to increase when the boiler is running due to hot air being produced?
I'm very confused,
ChrisJ
Re: Biological control for filler station
On a closed system there is no need for bio control in most cases.
If you are using your potable hot water heater for heating both the water you shower with and the floor heat, then stop doing that. There will be bio hazard issues that you don't want to have near you in the shower or the kitchen. Your closed loop system and your Domestic Hot Water (DHW) need to be two separate systems.
What is a filler station?
Re: Thin Tube Steam/Hot water in Barre VT
And regarding your actual boiler. Your basement in particular is a very unforgiving place. The water, humidity, etc. is going to degrade any appliance down there much quicker than a dry, clean basement. You can see some dry-rot on the floor boards and framing in some of your photos. Proof that basements don't like to be wet.
You essentially have an outdoor boiler that is somewhat protected from outdoor temperature swings.
I have one-pipe steam and my boiler is about 40 years old and isn't showing any signs of slowing down. The fact that you are getting heat in 20 minutes is a great sign! Despite this boilers visual condition it seems like it has more service life left in it.
Take care of the water problems and plug up any above-grade cracks or holes in the foundations to try and seal it up a bit better. Put some crushed stone down over the dirt if it makes you feel better.
Have a pro do a thorough inspection, service the safety mechanisms and replace the air vents on the radiators if needed. You'll be surprised how well it heats!
Re: high humidity in my house
I think that where people get confused is that HRVs — or air conditioners without condensation, or shade, or whatever — do not change the actual moisture content of a volume of air — measured most conveniently by the dew point. Relative humidity is the relationship between the dew point — at which temperature the air mass holds as much moisture as it can without condensing — and the sensible air temperature, as measured by a normal thermometer. If you lower the sensible temperature, the relative humidity increases. Raise it, and the relative humidity decreases.
The only way you can lower the relative humidity at a given sensible temperature is to cool the air enough to lower it below the dew point, at which some of the moisture will condense out, and then warm it back up to where you want it.
Re: What would an “Expansion Tank Relay” been used for historically?
Pressure switch and the way the mercury switch is installed and the location of the spring and the bellows, it will function as a shut off on low pressure — that is, if the water level falls in the system, the switch will open.
Now how low is a very good question!
Re: Need help with new install of radiant with Buderus cast iron boiler
the bargain brand glycols have weaker inhibitor packages and lower protection rate. Stick with a name brand
I would buy a 30% premix, pump it out of the bucket into the system
hot_rod
Re: What would an “Expansion Tank Relay” been used for historically?
@109A_5 The knife switch does control the boiler. My doorbell transformer is at the front of the house. I’m not touching anything. As I said, I’m just happy with the vintage showpieces. When my thermostat calls for heat, it fires right up. That’s all I need. As the people who put this in is long gone, I already get the speech from local HVACs how I need to replace it because it’s old. Not because of issues, it’s just old 🙄. So I am not about to mess with something and it stops firing.
Re: The “Good Deed”
OK GW…. there is this thing called a power switch that you can toggle off and on in order to make the chance of letting factory installed smoke out of transformers. They are very easy to operate. For the most part if the electrician did his job properly, you just toggle the handle to the down position before you put your screwdriver inside the control. here is an example of what the switch might look like.
Hope this helps you in the future.
Sincerely
Mr. Ed.