Steam heat newbie

mtfallsmikey

Dan's books on hot water and steam heat. Very simple, easy to read, and educational even for us pros!

Marion

Steam heat newbie

Thank you for allowing me to post in your forum.

My husband and I are considering the purchase of a home in an historic district in the Detroit, Michigan area--I (we've) narrowed our search to two homes. Both are heated by steam. I've never lived in a home heated by steam. What can I expect? One home has a newer recirculating water system. The other, is installing a high-efficiency boiler system.

Both homes systems appear to be well-taken care of. The pipes and radiators look well-wrapped and the like. We plan to have a home inspection, but what can we expect in terms of heating costs with steam versus a forced air system? I'm afraid of the unknown here...should we expect a big difference in per foot cost between steam versus forced air? The systems are natural gas.

An interesting note, the home which will have the new boiler installed (my favorite) currently has a central air conditioning unit on the top floor. It cools the second and third floors.

I hope I've been clear enough. I really don't know much about the subject, but would like to know the right questions and know if going with a steam-heated home is a good idea.

Thank you,

marion

tim smith

? Steam or Water (updated)

Add to post, Marion, take pictures, ie multiples of both boiler systems if you can and post them here. Mainly pics of basement boiler area and piping. Maybe we can give insight to what the system looks like and possibly some ideas of what's needed. This is limited but may be helpful in the decision process. If it is an old neglected steam system or water system respectively then what sellers are planning to replace may or may not be the total resolution to existing problems that may be present. Just my .02 worth. Tim

The way you describe the houses systems, it sounds like to me that they may be water not steam. By the way, water or steam heat will be more comforable and cost you less to heat house with IMHO and others here. You will really like radiator heat although radiators to take up space, it is worth it.

Unknown

Tim,

I thought she said steam, but she may have got mixed-up.
C`mon Marion give it another try!
We promise not to bite!

Dave

tim smith

Re steam or water

When I looked at her description of the two houses systems it made me wonder if she was using generic descriptions as some do??

Marion

Let me give this another try...

Hello!

Let me try to clarify--this is what happens when a non-heating person tries to describe various systems. *s*

One house has a recirculating water system. That's about the only way I know to describe it. The other, will have a new boiler installed, and my husband states it is a steam system.

Thanks so much for your patience.

marion

Marion

I plan to buy every one of his books if we decide to buy one of the homes.

I'm not sure when I'll see the heating systems again, but I'll take plenty of pics!

You've all been so nice to me. Thank you!