Upgrade old System

Jack_33

Over the course of the last couple of years we have added insulation, caulking and additional steps to tighten up an older home. Presently satisfied with the results.
Now come the heating system. We have a 60 year old one pipe steam system (no radiators second floor) (oil fired) and would like to upgrade the system to a more modern unit. How do we go about this? Living outside of Boston (7 miles) would like to work with a skilled tradesman in this are that can assist us with a conversion. Any ideas as to what to convert too or maintain the steam system?

stacie b_2

Do you have any more information?

Hi David,
I'm also a Boston-area homeowner and not a heating pro, but I've received a lot of great advice on the Wall. I do know that more information would definitely help them... How large is your house? Is it comfortable now? Is the heating relatively even? Any leaks or loud noises? Does the second floor have any heat at all? Do you have gas available? How do you heat your hot water? What is the condition of your oil tank? What is the condition of your chimney? What is the condition of your radiators? Do you have a picture of your boiler?

Steve_147

do you

like the way the steam system heats your house? how much it costs?

joel_19

Hi there

We'd be happy to help you sort through your options,we work in older homes.This weeks project is converting a 250+ yold center chimney colonial from steam to hot water using recycled old cast iron radiators. We work throught the Metro West area www.boucherenergy.com

Steamhead (in transit)

Keep the steam

if you try to convert old piping and radiators from steam to hot water, the vastly increased working pressure will turn any weak points into leaks. I've seen buildings that were severely damaged this way. We don't recommend or perform such conversions, and will not work on a system someone else has converted. Too much liability.

You can change radiators to smaller ones as needed, based on the heat load, and size the new boiler to the new load. And you won't run the risk of the system freezing up in an extended power or fuel failure, as can happen with hot-water.

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V8toilet

Keep the steam

Keep your steam system. We revamped our old steam system with increased venting and a new boiler and did most all the tricks to make our steam system as efficient as possible. I'm very happy with it because it's efficient, quiet, and comfortable and the heat is even throughout the house. I've lived with forced hot water and there is no difference in comfort between the two when you compare apples to apples or a tuned up modern steam system to a modern forced hot water system. Our steam system is so efficient now that it costs me less than $0.12 per a square foot to heat my home in January and February with an atmospheric boiler that only has an AFUE of 81.5% and a combustion efficiency of 83.2% with gas.

If you must have more than one zone though Forced hot water may be the way to go but it's going to cost you.

Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating

You could put a steam

boiler in for the first floor radiators, and take a hot water loop off the bottom of that, to run baseboard to the second floor. It's more efficient if you run the second floor heat only at night, and run the first floor steam only when the living area is occupied. I did one like that in Bedford this fall, it worked out great.

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steve_186

no

No, get rid of the steam system and pipes, get a hydronic boiler, and new hydronic radiators they stay nice and warm alot longer then steam radiators, and anyway steam is very corrosive. if you have the financial backing to convert "do it".

wsdave

Steam is..........??????

Steam is corrosive????

Hot water radiators stay hotter than steam????

Where are you from Steve???

Dave

kpc_18

a poor misguided soul...