slow heat

Justin_5

Was wondering if sombody could point me in the right direction. I have a small house with a one pipe steem systemthat serves 7 radiators. The system has one 2.5" main that runs back to front with a Hoff #75 at the end. The return then turns and gradually slopes wrapping around the entire basement. My first question is that type of return bad? The steem moves so slow and continues to move through this return before it has warmed the radiators. A wet return just would make more sence to me. My second question is about the first take off the main. It goes straigt up at a 90 degree to the second floor. This is the radiator that heats first and that heats best. the whole system takes about 1 hour and 15 minuets to heat even if everything is already warm. Could it be all in the venting? The boiler is two years old and all the pipes are insulated. Thanks for your help. justin

Steamhead

That sounds right

you need proper venting on your steam main if the house is to heat quickly and evenly. How long is the steam main, and what pipe size?

The dry return itself is not a problem. But if any radiator runouts s are "dripped" (drained) into the dry return above the boiler's waterline, this can cause short-circuiting of steam and possibly banging.

The reducing elbow right after the main vent is wrong too- its configuration is such that some condensate will not drain from it. When the steam hits this puddled condensate, it can cause banging. If you've had trouble with short-lived main vents, that's why.

Where are you located? I'm sure there's a good steam man near you.

Justin_5

The O.D of the main is 2.5" the length is about 35'and there are no drips. should I move the main vent back to or push the return forward to better protect it? I live in Newtown CT. Thanks steamhead.

Steamhead

It's not the vent location

that's the problem, it's the way the reducing ell is installed. Whether or not the vent is there, it will still bang.

What you need to fix this is a good steam man. Go to the Find a Professional page of this site to find one close to you- there are plenty in New England. Have him install a standard ell and an "eccentric reducer" to replace the incorrectly installed reducing ell, and a Gorton #2 vent on the main. Then watch how well it works.

Justin_5

I will go ahead and change the ell, go with the ecentric reducer and bye a gorton#2. Probably even replace the returns while I'm at it. thanks again, can't wait to see if it works....