Upgrade Steam Boiler

ed wallace

the install is more important then the brand get at least 3 quotes from local contractors that know steam make sure they specifiy they will install using black iron pipes and fittings

Paul_82

Upgrade Steam Boiler & Water Heater

I have an original oil Steam Boiler (American Radiator 1936)and electric water heater. I was thinking of changing to natural gas steam boiler but decided not to. I have gas on the street and they will bring it to the house free but I'm responsible to get my own contractor. I have been looking at different steam boilers(Dunkirk,Well Mclain,Lennox and others. I was thinking of a inderect water heater. I had Sears and a local heating Co.in.
Any suggestions on the system I should purchase ?

JackR

Burnham MST

Take a look at the Burnham Megasteam, hands down the best oil steam boiler on the market.

hotwired

Newbie question

Hi,

I hope I'm posting this is the correct place, but I own a 100 year old 4 unit apartment building with steam boiler and radiators (2 pipe system, one owner previously, boiler well cared for, asbestos gone, new hand made jacket and pipe insulation now) -- I'm wondering ... the building uses approx. 2,000 gallons oil now (4 units, 1 BR units) -- not horrible, but not great ... if I replace eventually, is there ANY sense simply replacing the steam boiler with another newer steam boiler? Is this even worth considering?? Are new steam boilers much more efficient than older ones? This is 3 story building, so replacing radiators with baseboard would be ... pretty unacceptable. I think I'd rather put gas montiors in each apartment over repalcing system with oil HWBB.  Thoughts are VERY much appreciated.

(ps, current boiler is probably 50 years old)

Steamhead

A new boiler

might do better on fuel, but a lot would depend on what condition the present one is in. I'd first look at traps, air venting, thermostatic radiator valves and other system issues.



Where are you located?

nicholas bonham-carter

upgrade from 1936 to modern times

you will get more thoughts on this if you re-post on the "strictly steam" area.

why not get the system running as well as possible, before changing the boiler?

this would include putting on a good low-pressure gauge to monitor the back-pressure during the venting phase of firing. you may be paying your fuel supplier for the forced eviction of the air in your system at the start of firing, and not know it. your pressure during steaming may get higher than necessary. also a check-over of your pipe insulation would be beneficial.

when you get ready to install a new boiler, choose the steam professional installer first, and then he will help you choose a boiler distributed locally, with parts available. he should also do a steam radiation survey [not a heat-loss] to determine the size of the new boiler. check with your water company about potential high chloride levels in your area.

the advantage of gas is no need to store enough fuel for the winter in a possible  leaky tank.  the advantage of oil is that if one supplier raises the price, you may have the choice of a different source, unlike gas. some gas companies will install the boiler for you at reduced cost, but caveat emptor, as the installers may be only "plummmers" with no knowledge of steam.

your present boiler may have many winters of happy steaming left, with some corrective maintenance.--nbc

BobC

Post some pics on Strictly Steam

i agree with all the points that nbc made and would add that the gas company often gives with one hand and takes away with the other.



Why don't you start a post on the "Strictly Steam" area, with pictures of the system, so the pro's can advise you about what should be done before you install a new boiler. take shots of the boiler that show all the controls as well as the piping that comes and goes from the boiler, include some shots of the steam mains that show the main air vents. Also tell us about any issues the system has now and if the water gauge shows dirty or jumping water.



There may be some things you can do that will trim that fuel bill and they will only help make a new boiler run more efficiently if you decide to replace it. Remember one important fact, the people who install a boiler make the biggest difference, you need to find an installer who knows steam.



Bob