to keep or not to keep the boiler

johnnyge

I am in a debate with myself about changing my one pipe steam system. The bolier is a Newyorker 140.000BTU's and it's about 6 years old. I do have the system working ok with all radiators getting hot. no more water hammers, placed 1 #2 Gordon valves on the 2 main return lines. But I think that the boiler is working too long to produce steam during cycles. My gas bill is high, the house (old house)has better insulation now, new windows and at 70 degrees, still feels a little cold.
I was thinking to add radiant heat(will be easy to install due to an unfinish basement, to get extra heat source to have the bolier running less cycles. I don't know it will make sense. And the other options was to go for force air.Any imput or suggestions is appreciated it. Any other options to easy my heat and electril bill? What the pros think about it

Leo

You need to weigh the costs

I am an oil heat tech. I grew up in a house with forced hot water radiators and it was comfortable. I then owned a house with steam, again comfortable. During an addition we eliminated the steam for base board with radiant in the addition. The addition was much more comfortable. Time has gone on my wife rented a house with forced hot air, majer temperature swings. Rented an apartment that was comfortable steam, then converted to baseboard, sized right and comfortable. Now I own again and it is steam, needs one more radiator to replace a missing one. All this said, if you spend the money to change stay with some form of hydronic heat or you will be unhappy. Sorry for the ramble,I hope it helps.

Leo

Justin Gavin_5

Radiant

I installed radiant in my basement after the fact (Dry Panel System) It works awesome and heats the floor above it but I had to replace my tstat because the basement as in the path of the heat rise. If you boiler is short cylcling I would recommend putting a buffer tank connected to a steam to water heat exchanger. Use your buffer tank to provide hot water to the radiant and any other hot water zones that you could use, perhaps a garage heater.

Good Luck

Norm Harvey

I can say that after living in a house with warm air for 2 years,.. please dont even consider it,.. its terrible.

If your comfortable

johnnyge

So. It is possible to used both steam and radiant system, taking the hot water from a heat exchanger from the bolier?doing that my bolier will work harder and used more gas than before? or will work less time and the house will be warmer longer with the radiant part of the system?
Has anybody doing this before? If so, how is the experience on confort and money. I will have to get another job just to pay my heat and electric bills.

Steamhead (in transit)

Maybe

the boiler needs cleaning, or is not burning properly?

Maybe it's time to call a pro to look at it.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

johnnyge

How can I test my bolier to know that is burning properly,and I will like to know if the sistem is keeping the pressure. Where can I find a low pressure gauge. The bolier came with a 0 to 30PSI, I will like to install something that will read lower (oz of pressure)

Steamhead (in transit)

Try

the Gauge Store, www.gaugestore.com . Several Wall posters have ordered from them and have had good results.

A pro with the proper digital analyzer and the know-how to use it will have to test the boiler, and make the needed corrections. This would be money well spent.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

joe lambert_2

joe lambert_2

high cost of steam

One thing I don't understand is if your steam system is properly running and you have a fairly new boiler with an AFUE rating of over 80% + your house is insulated and you have new windows than how can your fuel bills be high?

Maybe you should call a steam pro and have them make sure everything is working properly. You would have to stay in that home for years before you would recoup the cost of installing a completely new hydronic system.