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Switch from Steam to Hot Water System

Leslie_2
Leslie_2 Member Posts: 1
in THE MAIN WALL
I have a 30 yr old steam boiler that is ready for replacement. One of the contractors, who I found through this site, suggested I move to a hot water system as it is more efficient. My current system is 2 pipe and there are no vents in the radiators.

Any advise would be most welcome.

Thank you.

Comments

  • Timco
    Timco Member Posts: 3,040


    There is an article in the library about this...may be in the tech topics as well.
    Just a guy running some pipes.
  • Steamhead (in transit)
    Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688
    Keep the steam

    there are too many things that can go wrong with this type of conversion. Here's the link Tim was referring to:

    http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm?Id=22

    You probably have a Vapor system- most residential 2-pipe systems were Vapor, running on maybe 8 ounces of pressure. Hot-water would require a minimum of 12 pounds- this would do a real good job of leaking thru any weak spot in the pipes or radiators.

    Vapor was the Cadillac of heating in its day, and is still one of the best systems out there. If this type of system is running properly it will match the comfort and approach the efficiency of hot-water, assuming both systems have similar boilers. Any payback from such a slightly increased efficiency will take years and years. Plus, hot-water can freeze up in a power failure, but with steam or Vapor the danger is much reduced.

    Have you found any manufacturer's info on your system's components- original radiator valves and traps, any devices around the boiler- that could help us identify it?

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