Balacing singl pipe steam system in old house with new use

John S.

Charles,

I'm not so sure that would be so inexpensive. If the system isn't first balanced, then the units closest to the boiler would become overheated as the furthest rads get merely comfortable. That would mean the boiler would run longer and use more fuel. And the balancing issue would remain.

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lilly

BALANCING SINGLE PIPE STEAM SYSTEM IN OLD HOUSE WITH NEW USE

Eight years ago I converted a steam heated brick victorian house into therapist offices, so that each room became an office (therefore, the doors are always closed). Most rooms have since been either way too hot or too cold. I initially replaced the old boiler with a new gas fired Smith, put Dole steam valves on all the radiators, and have recently replaced all the windows in the building, as well.The radiators, do not leak, spit, gurgle, or bang. The attic is insulated, but not the walls. The thermostat has always been in the front entry which serves as a waiting room. Therefore, the exterior door opens many times a day.It seemed likely that the boiler was turning on frequently to satisfy the thermostat and sending yet another head of steam through most of the building. Many tenants were keeping their windows opened in the winter. A few, on the end of the run, were still never getting any heat.
I have now moved the thermostat to the upstairs hall, figuring it would be sheltered and less subject to running the boiler repeatedly, and also, perhaps, heat up the second floor office, just adjacent, that has always been cold.
So now, the thermostat is satisfied too readily and never calls for more heat, the downstairs tenants who were hottest are comfortable and happy, and everyone else is Freezing! The coldest office has remained stone cold.
I AM BESIDE MYSELF WITH FRUSTRATION. I'm reluctant to put the thermostat in a tenant's office, but perhaps the biggest first floor office with lots of windows and the usual fluctuations of time of day, exposure, etc. would meet more of the needs of the building.
The more I learn about steam, the more questions it raises (kinda like life!). My plumbing contractor takes great pleasure in telling me "I told you so," as he had urged me to install baseboard hot water when I was originally renovating the building. What else can I try with my current situation? Shall I give it up and change the whole system?$$$$!!!!


Lilly Gaev

Bob W._3

Please describe your mains and main venting, all of which will be in your basement. Measure the length and diameter of each main, and describe the main vent on each, if any. Post all of that info and one of the steam guys here will then give you the diagnosis.

Also, go on to Hot Tech Topics (see the menu on the upper left of the screen) and read all about steam heat and venting. Lots of good stuff there. Hope this helps.

thfurnitureguy_4

Some things you and your conrtactor may want to change.
1st your building is heating in a wave. The radiators near the boiler first, and the rooms at the end of the line last. This is a classic main vent situation. The main vents are located at the end of the main steam pipe, just before they turn down and become a return that will bring the condensate back to the boiler. The main vent's job is to let the air vent from the whole main pipe, very quickly. Your main pipe should fully purge the air, and fill with steam in 1 to 2 min. after the boiler starts to steam. this will inturn let all of the risers to the radiators fill with steam at about the same time. Until you solve this problem you do not have much of a chance of balancing the system.

After you find your main vents and determine that they work and that they are indeed purging in the time above. ( you may need more than one) you can look into radiator vents called TRV or thurmostatically controlled Radiator Vents) These TRVs will turn the vent off as to the room temp. So your rooms that are too hot will no longer be that way.
I strongly recomend you call a professional in the box to the left on this site they are steam and hydronic pros. It will be well worth the dime. Your average heating guy has no clue about steam. There are also books on the subject writen by the guy that hosts this site that are excellent! find your vents and re-post some pictures of them. There are people who can help on this site.

CHARLES_4

An inexpensive fix could be to install a return line aquastat on the farthest return line and interlock it w/the t'stat. The t'stat will call for heat, and the system will run and the return will get hot. T'stat cycles off, but system will not refire until farthest return cools to 120* +/-. If the reurns are warm, radiators should also be warm and the offices should be comfortable. More expensive fix would be TRVs at radiators...your call.

Long Beach Ed

Two Problems

First, you have a steam system that is heating unevenly.

Second, you are trying to control it with a single temperature sensor.

By installing good main vents and replacing the radiator vents with the proper sized quality vent, you can get the rooms to heat at the same time and to heat properly. If the piping is correct, this is an easy fix. The piping can be faulty, so send us pictures and we can let you know.

A thermostat problem such as yours has been addressed in many of my multi-family buildings. USe one remote thermostat, in your office or boiler room with several tamper-proof sensors that will average the reading.

I like the Tekmar products; their sensors look like blank switch plates. Avoid locations with drafts and exit doors.

If the work is done properly and radiators are sized properly for the rooms, the system can be made to work flawlessly with a consistant level of comfort in every room.

If you don't feel up to the work yourself, look for an engineer or plumber who is well qualified in steam work. It doesn't sound as if you have found one yet from what you say.

Long Beach Ed

Steamhead (in transit)

Lilly, this should be easy to fix

but you need the right pro to do it. Where are you located?

Have you tried the Find a Professional page of this site?

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