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Re: Is it ever too late?
I'm 66 and have to confess that I'm an electrical contractor. Electrical trade school is the only formal higher ed that I have.
But because of my rural location I had to diverse into Plbg, HVACR and hydronics. This has all been self taught.
I wish I had pursued more boiler work earlier, it is now my favorite trade. Had I done that I believe there might have been at least 2 systems that might not have went to the scrap yard.
Also the satisfaction of saving a lot of wasted fuel. One steam system I'm close to saw a drop from 1.48 to 0.59 therm/degree day. This is $1500 down to $900 per month (for the first 3 years). For me this is a feather in my hat. I have to do all the math and show the difference.
A residential system that went from $700 to $380 monthly and more comfort, also with only basic upgrades.
Both of these systems are right at the 100 year old point.
This was done with basic improvements that were obvious to anyone who studied steam on the wall and Dan's books.
My brother restores cars for a hobby and spends a fair amount of money on that. I tell him that boilers are my hobby and I make a fair amount of money on that. He is a bit envious.
But because of my rural location I had to diverse into Plbg, HVACR and hydronics. This has all been self taught.
I wish I had pursued more boiler work earlier, it is now my favorite trade. Had I done that I believe there might have been at least 2 systems that might not have went to the scrap yard.
Also the satisfaction of saving a lot of wasted fuel. One steam system I'm close to saw a drop from 1.48 to 0.59 therm/degree day. This is $1500 down to $900 per month (for the first 3 years). For me this is a feather in my hat. I have to do all the math and show the difference.
A residential system that went from $700 to $380 monthly and more comfort, also with only basic upgrades.
Both of these systems are right at the 100 year old point.
This was done with basic improvements that were obvious to anyone who studied steam on the wall and Dan's books.
My brother restores cars for a hobby and spends a fair amount of money on that. I tell him that boilers are my hobby and I make a fair amount of money on that. He is a bit envious.
JUGHNE
5
Re: Steamhead
Can we please not make our political views known on this website? It should be one of the rules...Recognizing the significance of each and every life is not political. It is compassionate. Sticking our heads in the sand, yet again, doesn't help fix things. I have been encouraged by this thread, more so than any I've recently read. Some choose to vent their frustrations in much less positive ways, as is obvious. Let this string be a voice, along with our common interests, and let those who would rather not share their views or are offended move on to other posts.
Fred
5
Re: New heating system in RI
Chief ,
Unfortunately , for the past several decades mass for radiant systems has been misplaced . The mass belongs in your mechanical room to lessen or eliminate short cycling of equipment and to make sure there is plenty of water ready to go when the time comes for heat . A tank or mass of water is easy to control , a huge rock is not .
I would however in your situation use the panel rads w/ TRVs
Unfortunately , for the past several decades mass for radiant systems has been misplaced . The mass belongs in your mechanical room to lessen or eliminate short cycling of equipment and to make sure there is plenty of water ready to go when the time comes for heat . A tank or mass of water is easy to control , a huge rock is not .
I would however in your situation use the panel rads w/ TRVs
Rich_49
5
Re: how do i turn on and refill a disconnected zone & zone valve valve
In theory, there is another valve on the third floor loop that is off. Open it up, leave the black valve turned off, and then open the blue valve with a hose attached to it going to a drain. When water starts flowing out of it with no air showing, you are down purging. This is all assuming the line got winterized properly and aren't broke.
After you get the line purged out all the way, open up the black valve and purge out a little more.
After this is done, you need to put the white wire back on the control box so the pump can run. At this point, if the thermostat is turned up, the pump should run and hot water should flow. That is also assuming the pump hasn't seized up from being shut down. But if you are lucky, you should have heat.
Rick
After you get the line purged out all the way, open up the black valve and purge out a little more.
After this is done, you need to put the white wire back on the control box so the pump can run. At this point, if the thermostat is turned up, the pump should run and hot water should flow. That is also assuming the pump hasn't seized up from being shut down. But if you are lucky, you should have heat.
Rick
Re: Piping okay?
Thanks everyone for your comments. Yes I will take some more pictures. Yes I have a bull head tee and I told the installer that it should be removed. He stated that it's been there for over 100 years and it's worked so far, that's it not necessary to break it?I'm willing to bet it's worked poorly for 100 years, or at least since the system was converted from coal.
I'm a homeowner and I could have that tee out of there in no more than 15 minutes.
ChrisJ
5
Re: Piping okay?
Thanks everyone for your comments. Yes I will take some more pictures. Yes I have a bull head tee and I told the installer that it should be removed. He stated that it's been there for over 100 years and it's worked so far, that's it not necessary to break it?The problem is it doesn't have that 100 year old boiler anymore and those old boilers functioned ALOT differently than the new ones do. Once the boiler is changed the whole system has to be looked at.
KC_Jones
5
Re: Piping okay?
Can we get close-ups of the return piping (above the Hartford Loop connection in the third photo) and how the steam takeoff connects to the system piping?
Re: Piping okay?
Is the horizontal portion of the takeoff to the main sloped back towards the 90 that comes off the header? It's hard to tell from the photos. If it's sloped the other way condensate could pool at the 45.
MarkS
5
Re: Piping okay?
Steamhead got me on a problem the exact same as what JStar said in regards to bullheading the tee.I had a lot of asbestos to contend with and an infant in the house.They had to leave and problem got corrected.You put that much effort in go the extra mile.
jonny88
5
Re: Piping okay?
I don't like that 3" bullheaded tee or the dry returns attached up high above the water line.
JStar
5