Heating Syatem shot in old house...totally stuck.

Tombig_2

Can't tell from the pics about the condition of the boiler but it looks like you inherited somewhat of a mess. It's piped wrong for the steam application and it seems that all the hot water loops are piped from the condensate/below water line heated water. See the other post "baseboard from condensate" and you'll get a better idea where you're at.

Not sure how much radiation you have of either type but you need to get a pro in there and decipher the mess. Steamheads idea of keeping steam heat and hot water heat systems separate is a good one.

Firstly get good steam/burner man in there to see if the steam side of the equation is salvageable. Then look at the hydronic zones and domestic water situation to know where to go next.

Good luck, hopefully a Wallie in your area might take notice. Tom G.

Caz

Heating Syatem shot in old house...totally stuck.

Hi everyone. I was sent over here from this old house web in the hopes that someone can advise me. I bought a 1919 house with the old steam radiators. I have an oil furnace (only 11 years old) that is totally corroded and needs to be replaced. The previous owners added a radiant heat system (just for one room in the house) to the furnace and a toe kick heater - in a different room. So - I was told all these add-ons may have contributed to the early furnace death. Anyway I want to keep the steam radiators but I'm considering switching to gas from oil. Is there a better choice with the old radiators? Also what is to stop the early corrosion from happening again? Thanks so much!

Steamhead (in transit)

I'd

install a separate, very small boiler for the toe-kick, radiant and add an indirect heater for your hot faucet water. Then a new steam boiler for the rest of the house. You probably won't be happy with the toe-kick though- as a rule they are noisy and don't always heat the room well.

The best residential steamer is oil-fired.... the Burnham MegaSteam. But they don't offer it in a gas version.....

"Steamhead"

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Erich_3

More Information Needed

First of all you do not have a furnace. A furnace provides hot air heating. You have a boiler. You need to provide the make and model of the boiler and some pictures of the installation. You need to advise us what the settings are for the steam pressure. You need to advise if this is a two pipe steam system. You should also tell us your location so that a steam expert can look at your system.

Caz

See I don't even know what it's called

furnace...burner...I am trying to attach pics. I'm in NJ - Morris County.

billtwocase

boiler

The steam boiler is a Utica Starfire with a Beckett AFG burner. Looks like the problem occured when they installed this boiler. Sad but true, don't install properly, lives a short life. You need a pro that will service your area. More wrong than right going on in "that old house" Switching from oil to gas is not your way out of this. peace

nicholas bonham-carter

shot boiler

your boiler may be repairable and capable of being re-burnered for gas, if it has the right specs. i am sure if it is installed right you should be able to get 25-40 years out of it. post some pictures and relevant information-make/model/etc.--nbc

Steamhead (in transit)

Bill's right- that poor Starfire

whoever installed it wasted no time reading the I&O manual! Make sure whoever replaces it knows what they're doing. Have you tried the Find a Professional page of this site?

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Jamie Hall

But don't be discouraged!

The boiler is probably history -- true. However, it is unlikely that the rest of the steam system and radiators is damaged. Steam systems are amazingly robust -- and amazingly simple, really. Perhaps more to the point, besides the boiler (sorry about that) they aren't that expensive to put right and get running wonderfully well again.

Do check and look for a pro in your area -- I know there are some here on the Wall -- and do get, if you really want to learn how your system is supposed to work, one or two of Dan's books; they're written for laymen as well as for pros, and are very helpful.

And keep the faith!

MikeyB

Hi Caz -
Well you are about to become unstuck as you have found the right place! I'm a homeowner and was in a similar situation as yours. I knew very little about steam and have learned a lot from the steam pros on this board.

From looking at your pictures it is fairly obvious who ever did the boiler installation didn't have a clue as to what they were doing. There are a lot of people out there in the heating business but very few that understand steam heating. I would suggest two things:

1. Look under the "resources" tab at the top of this page and click on "Find a Professional". That should find you a Steam Pro near you who could take a look at your system. This is probably the easiest way to get yourself straightened out.

2.I would also get Dan Holohan's books on steam heating. (See "A Steamy Deal" at the bottom of this page.) They are written for the home owner and are easy reading (not just textbooks!),and are crammed full of information about steam heating. I would suggest you read "We Got Steam Heat" first before "The Lost Art of Steam Heating". I was almost ready to junk my steam system and these books helped me get it straightened out. They have paid for themselves many times over.

- Rod

Caz

Thanks..

to everyone that posted. I am really beginning to hate the PO's of this house. I just ordered the book "We got steam heat" and I will try to learn. Will check above for a steam expert in Northern NJ but if anyone is out there give me a shout. Thanks again all.

billtwocase

old houses

gotta love them. Everthing that you do is a challenge. Good luck to you Caz. peace

nicholas bonham-carter

at the end ---joy

what are the PO's of the house?


when your system is finally in good health, you will love it!! it will be because you played a big part in its revival, by observing, by learning how these old systems work. i think you will be pleased when you have got to the end of the road with this, how QUIET, COMFORTABLE, and ECONOMICAL your system will now be!! as you can tell, here we all love them.--nbc

clammy

not listed

Caz if you cannot find anyone listed in your area give me a shout(e mail)i am located in north jersy bergeni would second pretty much what steam head had stated only issue may be your chimmey but it would have to be checked out don't feel so bad i have seen worse it seems PO did not want to spend additinal monies for a additional boiler looks like that poor utica was over worked peace and good luck clammy PS dan i owe you a few bricks RDEUZA@aol.com

tim smith

Caz, When you say totally corroded, what were you told

about the boiler. Is it just scaling inside? Was the boiler leaking water out the bottom? Or is it just dirty. A lot of times we go on jobs where customers are told they need a new boiler and what they really need is a thorough cleaning and in your case specifically a repipe of near boiler piping... Hope this is the case for you. Tim

Howard Emerson

PO stands for...........

Prior Owners........