Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Best Of

Re: Expansion theory

So what is the expansion rate when you boil the water under pressure and release the steam to atmospheric pressure? Gotta be some condensation.

Re: Hiring Mechanics... Is there anyone out there at all these days?

I know what you mean. My mom was a high school English teacher for 35 years, my dad was an attorney for 30 (until he passed away), my eldest sister is a doctor, and my middle sister is an addiction counselor. I chose a different path and decided to become a mechanic. I work for the local municipality and we attempt to hire a new young person every year...and it's damn near impossible to find one that is a good tech, can also read and write well, pass a background check, and wants to work.

I've felt for a long time that there is WAY too much emphasis put on the whole idea of "you have to go to college and get a degree if you want to make a decent living".

The funny (sad) part is that some of the guys I know that are brilliant with their hands can't get jobs with better companies because they lack the 'formal education' they desire. They can run a lathe, weld and fabricate like magic, perform excellent documentation of everything, but get passed over for a guy with no practical experience, but has a degree in 'animal husbandry' or something like that. Just dumb.

Re: Hiring Mechanics... Is there anyone out there at all these days?

If I was a single fella, and not rooted in this area, I would jump at that opportunity. I have never been employed as a plumber or heating technician, unfortunately. I have been a master auto mechanic and heavy equipment mechanic for 13 years, with specialties in electrical systems and electronics. Diagnostics (of any kind) is what I love more than anything. Figuring out a difficult problem that has stumped others is the best feeling in the world, personally.

I've looked around over the last two years here for some hvac training programs, basically any program to get me in the door. I love hydronic heating systems, steam, hot water, mini tube, and so on...it's the most interesting and fascinating thing around. Unfortunately, my options are limited.

Trust me, I'm not trying to 'toot my own horn'. But there HAS to be some qualified people interested in an incredible-sounding position like you're offering. Despite lacking the credentials and proper training qualifications, if I lived out that way, God knows I would apply.

Back into the shop I go...best of luck to you. I wouldn't second-guess the drug testing and background checks...there are just too many idiots out there these days. Keep it on there. There must be someone interested in learning the trade out there.

-Andy

Re: Customer wants to buy material

In this day and age, why are contractors still insistant on taking the markup on parts? Times have changed, by all means, earn what you are worth, but telling someone he should pay 15 or 20% more than what they could purchase the item for, leaves a bad taste in anyones mouth. Raise your prices accordingly, and stop with that crap.
Paul48Paul48

Re: Square feet of steam question....

Whatever Chris. Let's get back to helping this HO get the best fix he can get while this is a new install. You may want to relook at some of Dan's books regarding "Breathing" Even if you don't buy that, I'd much rather have my system cycle and take advantage of the residual heat coming off of those cast iron radiators, with no fuel consumption during that 30 to 40 minute window between cycles.
I don't need to relook at Dan's books.
He was talking about keeping pressure low so vents can re-open and let remaining air out of the system. Nothing about letting a system shut down to breath.

No such thing as residual heat. You get out of a radiator (or pipe) 100% of what you put in. If the radiator is dissipating 100% of what a boiler creates and the room wants it the boiler can run all night long.

Energy cannot be created or destroyed.
Vents open and close on temp, not pressure although pressure can prevent them from reopening.He also speaks to allowing the boiler to cycle so tha the vents can open periodically. You are right, energy is not created or destroyed but that certainly doesn't suggest tha it isn't retained/released at the same rate. There is residual heat released by those cast iron radiators, long past the time the boiler stops using fuel.
Ok,
Why would I want to do this?
It's very important with a TRV, but why would I want to do it with a normal vent?
I'm not sure I understand the question?? If you are asking why would you want a vent to open periodically, I would say because as steam condenses, giving up its heat, that cooled air has to be able to escape to allow more steam in. I know that the heated air expands and as it cools, it shrinks but, with no way to escape, at some point, that cooled air will occupy all the space in a radiator/piping and steam will not be able to flow. I would think that would be the case if the boiler were allowed to continue to produce steam for extended period of time.
FredFred

Re: Square feet of steam question....

Air?
In theory if a single pipe system has been running for a long long time, there is no air.

The steam condenses, and pulls more steam into it's space.
A boiler has no reason to run that long. There is value in the heat radiated from the cast iron radiators after a boiler shut down. IMHO.
FredFred

Re: Cement Lined Water Main

I think both Tim McElwain and Jim Davis have clearly demonstrated the total wrongness of the draft hood. I'll stick with the experts.
SWEISWEI

Re: Taco Bumble bee circulator question

You need a Taco SR relay box . Thermostats to inputs , call closes switch and runs circ associated with that stat . End switch to boiler

Re: Boiler Best Practices

Hatt is correct. Uncrate the new one, and strip it to the block. You do not need appendages busting off, adding weight, and getting damaged. The only time I'll bring in a whole boiler complete is if it's a clear walk in, or super easy wide minimal step access.