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Steam or Hot Water

thfurnitureguy_4
thfurnitureguy_4 Member Posts: 398
in THE MAIN WALL
John, I am faced with a simular situation in a vacation home. The steam system you have is most likely the way to go. You have a system that will get minimal damage if it freezes up (power loss, or runs out of fuel.) If drained it is a matter of draining the boiler and little else, If you choose to winterise the home. Steam runs on low pressure 1 to 2 psi. Water can be much higher and run the risk of bursting old pipes 10 to 15 psi. The system was designed for steam and it will most likely work again without a total tearout for hot water. your steam radiators may be smaller than what would be required for hot water. (lower temp= less BTU into the room) With steam you will loose your Zone capibility but you can use a TRV radiator vents and set the system on a timer or a low stat temp. to save fuel. I am not a pro I just read this site and own and maintain a steam system in a big building. It pays off in savings and comfort to have the system designed right for heat loss and radiation. this site is a good start.

Comments

  • John Wasielewski
    John Wasielewski Member Posts: 2
    Steam or Hot Water

    I am the owner of a 145 year old victorian house on an island in maine. It is basically used only in summer. The house is piped and has about 14 radiators for steam. I have owned the home for 6 years and when i bought the house the old boiler was rotting away in the cellar where it had sat unused for at least 6 years before i bought the place. I now have to move ahead and install a boiler in the house. I cannot seem to get a straight or understandable answer from anyone as to whether i should re-install a steam boiler to change to hot water. There are a number of issues here but one is certainly cost and with rising fuel prices, efficiency. The house, as you would expect, is a bit breezy. I have installed many new windows and am tightening up the place a bit. It will remain a summer house but i would like to use it later into the season. As late a January and for that will need heat. I would like to turn down as many thermostats as possible (i clearly would like it zoned)when the family is not using the place.

    It is a relatively large place. The rooms however are relatively small the largest being 14 x 12 x 9ft ceilings

    What would any and all of you suggest? Thanks

    John Wasielewski
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