Best Of

Some on this thread addressed shoddy modern building. My biggest gripe as an HVAC guy is insulation installed by people who have no clue or maybe it's no care. Case in point; I was called back to a floor heat job we did with the complaint of a cold powder room. Odd, I thought. because the room was totally interior with the only heat loss being the ceiling. I walked in the room, laid my hand on one wall, then the other. One cold, one room temp. Being an addition, the cold wall was studs on the old house brick with no top plate and wide open to the attic, turning the whole wall into an uninsulated "exterior" wall. I see too many such cases where it takes almost nothing to insulate right (vs what was done) but there is no thinking or no care.

I need to tread lightly here. Some of my comments have been removed in the past and I don't want to get banned. I think I did this one properly.

@EdTheHeaterMan

When I read the post title, I had visions of what your comment would be😊

Yes. It certainly can be done in this day and age. Especially with the thoughts expressed in your original post.

A form of gas used (LP or NG) with a standing pilot. And have the system designed with more modern convenience controls, and have the radiators designed with the decor of the home. There are some beautiful cast-iron radiators out there that have been refurbished, or can be purchased new, that look beautiful and can offer a level of comfort that (IMHO) does not and cannot compare to much of today's heating systems.

Below is an example of one I found on a job I thought was extra interesting.

And above is an old post from this site that shows some examples of really nice radiators.

Dear original posted

I believe long time steam heating expert Mad Dog provided you the answer to original post:

"Of course you could install a Steam system from scratch, but finding a person capable of designing it, installing it and then servicing it are the issues. I did it in my gutted 1899 Victorian Farmhouse in the early 2000s with Period radiators.

Unless you can find such a person, I would recd that you install a multi-zoned Hot Water system with Period reproduction radiators. Same look, much easier to zone and control. Mad Dog"

All the best to your project, please post final result

Regards,

RTW

A clattering or clicking noise is usually a bad coupling because the rubber motor mounts are worn and the shaft of the motor is misaligned with the pump shaft.

Try replacing those parts and see if it stops. They’re inexpensive.

Don’t over oil: that’s usually what causes the mounts to fail.