Money savings question

Mark Custis

We need real jobs.

Our hobby is killing me.

Andra

Steam heating only 1/2 of house -- Can I save money?

I have a one pipe steam-radiator system in a large brick construction (non-insulated)century home. We are considering living in the north half of the house and closing the radiators on the south half of the house, where there are no water pipes. Our local heating contractor advised us that it would NOT save us any money to heat only half the house. I realize we'd be boiling ALL the water anyway, but wouldn't it be for a shorter time? Or would that not make a difference?

We just got and read Dan Holohan's great book, WE GOT STEAM HEAT,and were able to make sure our boiler was repaired intelligently... Thanks Dan! Now we want to be able to save on gas costs. Any suggestions are welcome.

Brad White_191

We could calculate

the potential and any number of permutations. Some will say, "no savings", others will say, "you will save some but not much", others may have more optimistic opinions. Ask any five of us and you will get eight opinions. As all of us and you will get N+20%

But, you know what? The best calculation is reality. Try it for a month and compare it to a comparable month last year.

If as you said there are no pipe freezing risk, what have you got to lose?

Brad White_191

Well, Mark,

something has to! Might as well enjoy ourselves and learn in the process, I know you agree

Mark Custis

ROFLMAO

Yep.

Mark Custis

I should learn CAD

and keep my hands off the pipes and pumps.

nicholas bonham-carter

one pipe steam economy

i am sure that, if you have read "the lost art of steam heating", that your 1-pipe system is in perfect condition.

i am also sure that in looking for perfect economy and comfort, that you have made sure that your pressure is under 16 oz, and that your venting of the mains is as good as it can be.

therefore i agree with brad, that you should try it for a month, in the following way: do not close your radiator valves to shut off the steam. as happened to me, i think you will find the radiators full of water [and the boiler empty] in a few days time and banging.why not instead paint your vents-as happens accidently so that the air-release hole is partly obscured.therfore the vents will be mostly ineffective, but still save you from heating that area.

when you wish to reheat this area, all you need are clean vents.--nbc

Brad White_191

You should

learn CAD anyway... *

Never goes out of style and neither does picking up a wrench.

Brad

*I learned CAD not only because I wanted to, but because I was tired of being held hostage by my drafters who would tell me that such and such a task took so much time... Now it is, ..."Oh, really?". The BS factor is significantly reduced.

EJ hoffman

Humidity levels

When you stop heating parts of your house you can start creating some condensation problems inside your walls. Each environment/home is unique, but from experience I can tell you to be very careful of this practice. When we experienced the housing crisis of the 80's most homes that went through a winter unoccupied and had been winterized/no heat had mold growing in them. I just repaired home that had not had heat in the back half of the house for 18 years, when they removed the paneling to upgrade the insuation the interior of the wall was covered in mold. So my recommendation would be turn down the heat not off and invest in a dehumidifier if your climate/interior has high or medium humidity levels.

Jamie Hall

afraid I have to agree with Erik on this one

although you may very likely save money on heating fuel, it is quite probable that there will be damage -- possibly mold, almost certainly plaster damage and damage to things like books and wall paper -- in the unheated part of the house. This may not be apparent right away -- plaster damage and mold in particular may take years to show up -- but can be frighteningly expensive to repair, once it has happened.