1880 house - choice of steam or hot water heat

old house in northeast

Hello - Just read a message by Jacob Myron from aug 29 on steam and hot water systems. great info!

I have had steam heating systems in my homes for about 30 years. I have always loved radiators and found the steam systems easy to maintain. I am trying to decide on a new steam system or a hot water system for a 130 year old house that had heat in only two rooms. I am basically starting from scratch and have the house totally gutted.
with good insulation installed.

I have a number of steam radiators that i've salvaged (in working order) and can use as either steam or hot water radiators. I've also found a valve if i wish to use a single pipe to a radiator for hot water heat.

What are the pros and cons of steam vs hot water heat? I understand that hot water heat can be more efficient - although it seems like there are so many moving parts and pumps to maintain. Steam systems seem to be quieter - with no pumps. i'm also aware that installing and sizing steam boilers can be more complex than hot water - many people do not even install them anymore!

ideally i should have two, possibly three zones on the system in a 3000 sq foot house. i will only be living in half the house during the winter and shutting down half the house to save money on heat.
please let me know what you suggest. thanks for your help.

i'd really appreciate some feedback to which system is better.

kpc_32

usually...

if a house has steam already I would strongly suggest keeping it. However you are alrady at that point here there is/ was little heat all the way around. To repipe a steam system properly would take A LOT of time to cut and thread black pipe.
I would opt for the hot water. You might be able to use those rads but I would hydrostatcly test them 1st, they are not used to 15-20 psi onlr 1-2 psi.
The first thing to do is do a complete heatloss...otherwise you are just guessing.kpc

Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating

Stay with the Steam

and add a hot water loop off the bottom. This will allow you to heat small areas when it isn't that cold, like your living room and bath, but turn on the steam when it's real cold or when you turn the heat back on after setback, your house will heat up quickly. An old house like that should have steam heat, it's original equipment.

Thanks, Bob Gagnon

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Steamhead (in transit)

But

a steam system won't freeze up in an extended power or fuel failure like a hot-water system can, since the radiators and most of the pipes drain dry when the system is off. And you can use thermostatic valves on steam radiators for room-by-room control.

Go with steam!

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old house in northeast

hi thanks everyone.
The house did not have any heat AT ALL except wood stoves until the last people put a propane forced air system to only two rooms about 30 years ago. i already ripped it all out. So i can choose anything i want and am starting from scratch.

i wish i had black pipe already through the house. there is nothing - i'd be starting from scratch. the walls are all open and down to studs at this point .......

Is there a program somewhere to help me do a heatloss analysis?

thanks so much for all the info!

old house in northeast

what are the extra maintenance issues that everyone speaks about with steam heat? i've never find them hard to maintain.

there are no pipes - steam or hot water in the house. i am truly starting from scratch.

Darin Cook_5

Comfort

There is nothing like having a nice 212'F radiator on a nice sunny 55'F day. I know it may sound a little warm to you but that's how it was back in the "good ole days". But think of it this way, at least you don't have to wear the wool pants like they did then!





Darin

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