Heating solutions 13 unit building

Phillip Biston

Ok, I have a couple of buildings one of which has 31 units and is heated with steam and working very well (thanks to this site, and Ken at gorton valves). That being said I have a backup plan if my steam system goes completely down and cannot be repaired, Iam planning on electric baseboard heaters, for a small apartment you may be able to heat with about the same amperage as an window A/C. Just a thought.

Teresa

Heating solutions 13 unit building

I am in need of some help. I own a 13 unit building in Cleveland Ohio. The building used to have a boiler heating system. Due to the previous owner not keeping it up, and not taking care of the building the winter before I took possession we cant use that system! This is kind of fine by me because it costs about $20,000.dollars to heat the building EVERY winter.

My plan was to put in little individual units in each apartment in say half of the linen closet with small ducts going to each room so that the tenant controls their own heat. (Just a note the building is very old) I have upgraded the electrical, put in all new windows and pipes now I need a heating solution

I know there has got to be something like this somewhere but I am having a hard time finding it. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?

I need to come up with some sort of solution to heating the building it can't go without heat.

I welcome any and all advice on this matter

GW

So how is it being heated now?! That's a shame, I don't know anything about your building but 20g sounds kinda wild. Can you salvage the old system and just replace the boiler and deal with the problems/fix it?

As far as small units, you're probably better off in the long run, but I'm certain you'll pay much more money for this idea, quadruple or so if not even way more (just a pie in the sky guess, thanks). How about hot water?? That's the struggle, there are not alot of appliances that heat water and heat the space.

If you go all new for the units, you may want to look at small warm air systems with a duct system on the ceiling, possibly exposed if there's not enough ceiling height. For hot water perhaps instantaneous units in each unit. Now you're really dropping some big money.

Hope it all works out! How about Stack Heating, they're in you area yes?

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Plumdog_2

Can't use it?

How come it can't be used? Frozen and bursted pipes? Was it ripped out? If I owned a building like that I think I would be inclined to repair the existing piping and then upgrade the boiler and controls and insulate while the walls and cielings were open.

will smith_4

Not that it would be quick, easy, or cheap up front, but you could definitely add separate units. No small amount of work! 20gs for a season is a whole-lotta-dough, sounds like you have multiple issues with the existing system (control/piping/insulation). If your building is like a lot I've walked into, half the windows are wide open from spaces overheating-get a pro to evaluate what you have and come up with solid solutions instead of quick fixes. Bear in mind that if you add separate units and are responsible for their upkeep and repair, it might not be long before you start to miss the boiler!

Steamhead (in transit)

The problem with individual furnasties

is that, in your case, you end up with 13 little combustion appliances that must be properly maintained, and located where tenants can easily tamper with them. Same goes for indivudual water heaters. And if one of these 26 little combustion appliances malfunctions, releasing carbon monoxide or starting a fire, hurting or killing someone- guess who's responsible? That's right- YOU.

A central boiler system is just the opposite. All your combustion is located in one place that can be isolated from the rest of the building by fire-resistant walls and locked doors. It is inherently a much safer installation.

Who told you the present system could not be used? What was their reasoning? Is it a steam or hot-water system? Maybe it's time to get a real pro in there.

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JackFre

Rinnai

We have done thousands of Apts with the Rinnai Energysaver. Simple install, although you must get gas lines to the units. Check www.rinnai.us and www.ductlessheating.com. These work well in this application, are high efficiency, and very reliable.

Teresa

my heaters

The pipes in the current system have frozen and cracked, on top of which the 2 heating company's that I have had come in have said the broiler would be cheaper to replace than repair. Also the radiators (I think that is what they are called)in all the units most of them need to be replaced cause the water within them froze and they cracked. The darn things weigh a ton! Currently we have no heat in the apartments. It totally sucks. I dont know what I am going to do. I will keep everyone posted

Perry_3

Options:

In the end you have two basic options:

You can rebuild a modern equivalent to the original heating system. I think you will find that a couple of mod/con boilers would be the most efficient way to go.


The second option would involve installing individual heating units in each appartment.

Given the discription of the frozen and cracked pipes and radiators... Both options will require at least some tearing out of walls and cielings.

Both options will cost a bunch; but, with the single apartment heating units you can at least get a few apartments back into service to where they are rentable while you work on others.

You need to work with a good heating contractor for this project. I would not focus on what is the cheapest to install on either option. Look for what would be reasonably durable as well. For a few dollars more you save yourselves a lot down the road.

Might I ask - how you managed to acquire a building in this condition? If I had to totally replace the heating I'd be tempted to strip it down to the studs (especially the outer walls); and insulate and rewire along with installing the heating system.

Perry