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Re: Old house heating: Steam radiators or forced air?

The OP should prioritize his needs.

There are advantages to steam heat and advantages to hot air.

By determining what is most important to him and to his wife, we can help him choose the best heating system to fulfill those wishes.

Comfort? Floor space? Personal aesthetics? Installation costs? Headroom and space utilization? Operating cost? Return on investment? Silent operation? Reliability? Equipment lifespan? Floor space? Temperature consistency? Desirability to future owners? Disruption of lifestyle/architectural elements from installation? A place to dry wet gloves?

Consider what's important to you , and the answer will be simple.

This is engineering.

Long Beach Ed

Re: Old-School Solutions

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1855103#Comment_1855103

The orifice will work anywhere you can keep the pressure controlled. In theory you could size the orifice for higher pressures and it would work there too as long as the utilization equipment has a consistent load and you could control the pressure at the higher pressure..

mattmia2

Re: Steam-one boiler or two, and, Atmospheric vs Gun

Gary....you're assuming the last guy did any math. Mad Dog

Mad Dog_2

Re: Steam pressure question

I prefer a full ball valve but that’s up to you.
skim until clear. Check again after a few days of operating.

pecmsg

Re: Old-School Solutions

RayW, the orifice "trick" does work. I have used it a lot in my very small service area.

There is a chart for sizing based on the pressure applied. You can install such that will deliver 80% of rad EDR. You seldom need even 80% for most rooms.

These do what an adjustable controlling inlet valve do, if never tampered with, so you know what happens to those control valves. Constantly messed with or just drift their adjustment over time.

So open all the way and only get 80% EDR or have the ability to shut off completely.

I have often removed rad trap elements and not have a problem……..as long as the pressure is left set reasonably low.

JUGHNE

Re: Old house heating: Steam radiators or forced air?

@montysir Do everything you can to keep the steam. I grew up with it. As a kid, I remember how comfortable I was. When I moved out of my parents' house I have not been as comfortable. Having steam heat is terribly missed.

With an open mind and some imagination, those radiators can be made to look beautiful and can be a conversation piece for years to come.

You can even have each radiator heat each room on its own, adding to the comfort of your home.

And as for the so-called noises. Those noises can be eliminated, too.

Am I biased? No. It's just that I have lived through New England winters with hot water, warm air, electric heat, and steam.

Do everything you can to keep it.