How much in-efficient this boiler is?

alex_11

This boiler is sitting in an old house.Its more than 50 years old.It takes around an hour before you feel any heat on any of the steam radiators.It is fired by a Beckett AFG burner with a 1 GPH nozzle.

After running for a while it cutoffs on presure.So needless to say it is still building up GOOD pressure.Its not rusting or leaking.

I also noticed that if its filled more upto 7/8 in the guage glass it takes longer to build up steam.If itso nly filled upto 1/2 on the guage glass it builds steam quickly.Does this affect efficinency,if so how much shall it be filled.

Lastly in new steam boilers I know it takes a few minute to build up steam.So question is?Why does the old boiler takes so much timne.Is the volume of water different in the new and old boilers?

Any insights will be appreciated.Thank you.

Steamhead (in transit)

If that's an old round boiler

probably not more than 45% efficient. The lack of heat transfer surface is the main factor here.

The sight glass should not be filled more than about halfway.

Can you post some pics?

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