Best way to expand on a steam system

Tom M.

I did one with two pumps, one prioritized to heat an indirect and the second to heat the addition. There wasn't a large jump in heating load because it was a small addition, the rest of the house got insulation and windows, and two radiators were removed from the steam system in the rooms that were extended.

I've also seen one that used condensate to heat an indirect and the two zone addition system ran off of the indirect while the tankless coil continued to heat the domestic HW.

Tom M.

Mase

Steam additions

Hey what's up I'm doing a largish side job for my sister who's putting an extension on her tudor. . . she has a steam system to begin with, I was just wondering what your opinions were on the best way to expand the piping system, knowing that the new heat loss would still be covered by the boiler.

Options?

- Extend full 2" main with branches in steel pipe old school.

- Put a condensate loop with heat exchanger to cast iron baseboard or quite possibly radiant.

- Convert system to hot water, leaving existing radiators.

Thanks a bunch.

Unknown

gonna

We gonna need more information and pixs of the boiler from the job.. One pipe steam? Two pipes steam? Can be done but tricky... Where u located?

Steamhead (in transit)

If the boiler and mains can handle the load

I'd just run the new branches in black pipe like the Dead Men did. BTW you did do a heat loss on this addition, right?

Running a hot-water loop off a steam boiler is a useful trick, but unless the addition is small it probably couldn't handle the load.

I wouldn't convert the whole system to hot-water unless you like living dangerously. Go here for more on this:

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

Tell us more about this system, as RJBPHD requested.

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Christian Egli_2

Stretching your corner of paradise

I like the "extend the steam system" solution the most. I think this must be the easiest to go. Plus, it will give you a fantastic heating system. On top of it, if it makes your whole house system more appropriately sized (I am assuming you added new insulation to reduce your heat demand) then why not. The pitfall waiting for you is if there is now a major imbalance between radiation load and boiler output.

Be very careful if you have a one pipe system. With two, and with very good main venting and with thermostatic valves on the supply of the radiators, you should get away with almost anything. But still look into your numbers. This sizing / matching issue is true whether you take heat away from the boiler as steam or as hot water.

Does the current set up have a domestic coil? Then, for sizing needs, all you'd need to do in order to increase heating output is remove the domestic demand to a separate water heater. If necessary. But, again, check your numbers.

I would not prefer the tapping of a hot water loop on the steam boiler. Oh, it works fine, but it would be a shame if you are installing a new radiant floor - low temperature - system to not jump on the opportunity to use a condensing boiler. A steam boiler steams just great but it is not the best match for hot water output. If you have gas, there is no hassle to having multiple burners.

The flood-the-whole-house-with-water, is the solution I would consider if I were looking for the most work, the most trouble and the least bang for the money spent. An all around bad idea.

Check your numbers, and you'll find all the confidence you need.