dumb about steam (and scared too!!!)

BillW@honeywell

Get the book(s), especially "We got Steam Heat". Then go to Find a Contractor, and have one of the guys come out and evaluate your system. Chances are, it may need some work, and some components may need replacing, and if the boiler is some old coal-to-oil-to-gas converted monster, get rid of it NOW and replace it with a modern steamer to save some $$$ in fuel costs. An investment now in your system will result in a reasonable return on investment in fuel savings, especially if you upgrade insulation, windows and otherwise minimize heat losses as well. A programmable stat on a steam system is controversial. Steam systems have a long flywheel effect, and a programmable may not give the savings and comfort you want, but won't harm the system either. Consider a quality non-programmable for this system, like our TH5110. Steam systems are very reliable and comfortable, but the choice of a contractor is crucial, make sure you work with someone who is familiar and competent with steam. You've come to the right place for steam help, welcome.

D Brawley

dumb about steam (and scared too)

Hi, I gotta admit that I am as dumb as a post about the steam/radiator system that is in our huge 3200 sf solid brick 2 1/2 story home. We will be closing on it in about 2 weeks. It is a beautiful old relic and I am excited about the move...except for the steam heat. My husband says the steam heat is the best and assures me that he knows how to operate it. Im not so sure... there were little metal valve looking things on the window sills near the rads and he kind of looked perplexed as he examined one. Looks like something fell or broke off the rads to me. He tells me it is a presure release valve and not to lose or misplace it. But when I asked him where it screws on there the subject was changed to the beautiful crown molding on the 12 ft celings. The home is a foreclosure so we cant ask the previous owners anything as they are long gone. My questions are many and any help will be greatly appreciated. There is a programmable thermostat, is that normal with such an antique system? What normally breaks on these? How do I turn a room off or on? Do I have to worry about the kids getting burned on the rads? Is this a generally efficient system? Is it true that you have to turn the heat up gradually to keep from damaging the system? Generally what can I expect? Chances are this system is as old as the house 116 yrs. and in the basement it looks it, so should I start saving now for parts? Thank You for your time. D. Brawley

D Brawley

dumb about steam (and scared too)

Hi, I gotta admit that I am as dumb as a post about the steam/radiator system that is in our huge 3200 sf solid brick 2 1/2 story home. We will be closing on it in about 2 weeks. It is a beautiful old relic and I am excited about the move...except for the steam heat. My husband says the steam heat is the best and assures me that he knows how to operate it. Im not so sure... there were little metal valve looking things on the window sills near the rads and he kind of looked perplexed as he examined one. Looks like something fell or broke off the rads to me. He tells me it is a presure release valve and not to lose or misplace it. But when I asked him where it screws on there the subject was changed to the beautiful crown molding on the 12 ft celings. The home is a foreclosure so we cant ask the previous owners anything as they are long gone. My questions are many and any help will be greatly appreciated. There is a programmable thermostat, is that normal with such an antique system? What normally breaks on these? How do I turn a room off or on? Do I have to worry about the kids getting burned on the rads? Is this a generally efficient system? Is it true that you have to turn the heat up gradually to keep from damaging the system? Generally what can I expect? Chances are this system is as old as the house 116 yrs. and in the basement it looks it, so should I start saving now for parts? Thank You for your time. D. Brawley

Mitch_6

Steam radiators do get hot

most have covers on them lots of us have grown up around them and learn to respect them as with anything else.

As to your system itself, steam when working properly can be one of the most comfortable systems to have. Not drying like forced hot air.

Best thing to do is find a pro to do an annual check of your system. And walk you through how it works. Most systems are very simple and reqire only a little attention every couple of weeks or so.

Mitch S.

Mitch_4

education

The best thing you can do is educate yourself. Dan has a couple books available here, and they are an excellent resource. There are a couple related to your situation exactly.

I would suggest you buy them as a "house warming" present and learn how to keep your house warm.

Mitch

Steamhead (in transit)

Hubby's right

steam heat really is the best. You probably have a "one-pipe" system (only one pipe connected to each radiator), or maybe a "two-pipe, air-vent" system (two pipes plus that little air vent that sat on the window sill). The vent screws into a hole on the side of the radiator.

Since the place is a foreclosure, you can assume it wasn't properly taken care of. Having a pro come look it over would be money well spent. The pro can also suggest ways to make the system run more efficiently.

Try the Find a Professional page of this site to locate someone near you. If you're in the Baltimore area, contact me.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Gene_3

ditto

you can't beat steam, the reason you don't see it in new homes is that it is very expensive to install now, your radiators alone may be worth $1000 each, at least several hundred.

If a company every tells you to replace it with baseboard show them the door. You will not be able to heat that home with wall to wall baseboard, you'd have to tear out the walls and insulate, speaking of which make sure all of your pipes are insulated to save energy and keep the steam from turning back into water on it's way to the radiators.

Good luck and enjoy, I envy you, my old home had radiators and I miss them, they actually radiate heat into the room in waves that you can feel, baseboard and warm air do not, nest to radiant in the floor you have the best.

Back in those days people were concerned with Quality not Quantity.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

In addition to "So We've Got Steam Heat", also get "The Lost Art of Steam Heating". (Both available from this site and authored by the site's owner.) Read both of them carefully and repeatedly.

One-pipe steam systems have a simple elegance that makes them uniquely reliable. They are also comfortable and can be quite efficient.

They were generally installed by true masters and seem to last forever. Outright failures are not very common--instead little problems grow and if not addressed become ever larger problems. The most common problems are noises varying from annoying to terrifying and excessive fuel consumption.

There's much that a reasonably handy homeowner can do to get these systems in top-notch shape. That's just one of the reasons to buy Dan's books as you'll get a very good idea of what needs to be done and be able to gauge when it's time to call a pro. Calling in a pro is another reason to buy his books. Armed with knowledge about your system you'll be able to weed out the steam pros from the hacks who have no business touching these systems.

As mentioned, new residential steam systems are extremely rare and the existing stock of old systems diminishes each and every day. For that reason it can be hard to find a good steam pro. Dan's books will GREATLY help you in this regard.

One last thing. Programmable thermostats do have their use with steam systems, but much has to do with the structure itself. Since yours sounds like a massive, solid masonary structure, deep and frequent setback often results in comfort problems as the walls tend to stay cold and literally suck the heat from your body. Insulate the attic as heavily as practical and "tighten up" doors and windows. Well fitting storms on original windows in reasonable shape are just as (if not slightly more) efficient than many modern dual-glazed replacements.

If this is a renovation project (sounds like it is) and you have original windows in less than ideal condition, I'd suggest the book Working Windows as well.

Elektra

I feel your pain. However using this site, 2 books by Dan and a great steam-pro also found on this site, I have a terrific well tuned steam heat system. Was it an expense-yes. Would I exchange it for any other kind of heat? NO. Once you read up and talk to a pro you too will become the steam zealot and local "expert" that I am