SSSSS Steam heat res boiler and asbestos in NJ

wally_4

I posted my question on fine hombuilding's breaktime some posters there suggested posting it here too.


My sister is thinking of replacing her Steam heat boiler, has gotten several bids three I think. She is in NJ I am in Idaho so she has been reviewing them with me. contractors are telling her with steam she can do no better then about 82% efficiency. Is this true, it seem she can not convert easily to hot water since even though two pipes are going into the radiators the supply and return lead to one main pipe.

In doing this she is going from oil to gas.

Also, visibable pipes are asbestos wrapped as well as the boiler jacket, which leads to another question particular to N,J. She has been told that now in NJ when one sells a house if asbestos is present it must be removed before the sale, is that true? YOU NJ flippers out there must know the answer to that one.

Wally

Steamhead (in transit)

I once wrote a very short article for FHB

they were good to deal with.

When you say "even though two pipes are going into the radiators the supply and return lead to one main pipe" it doesn't sound like a steam system, but rather a "diverter-tee" hot-water system. Maybe you can have her take some pics of the boiler and system and post them here?

Converting a steam system to hot-water is a risky business. The vastly increased working pressure can cause major leaks and other problems, and it has not been scientifically proven that transporting BTUs by steam is less efficient than by hot-water if both systems are in good condition. My company does not recommend or perform such conversions, and will not work on a system someone else has converted.

Also, when talking about the usual inefficient atmospheric gas boiler an AFUE of 82% is all you can expect. But you can do better with a wet-base boiler having a powered gas burner such as the Smith G-8, which I think has an AFUE of 84% and a better thermal efficiency to boot.

Have your sister come to this site and click on Resources at the top of the page, then Find a Professional. This will direct her to some of the best contractors in Jersey.

"Steamhead"



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wally_4

Right now I think two contractors suggested a Utica I don't know which one, there are not too many to chose from I think about 140,000 BTU. Any thoughts on Utica in terms of reliablity. I will look into the Smith.

Thanks for your input Steamhead

Wally

Steamhead (in transit)

The Smith G-8 boiler series

has about 6% better thermal efficiency than the Utica PEG.

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