Should I?

arcalex

New boiler installed, consulted with local steam guru and installed maximum main vents...I have a mouat system running a pressuretrol set at .5 & 1. Should I install a vaporstat instead? Just trying to see how much more $$ I'll be spending on the system this year.

Jamie Hall

Well...

A vaporstat will give you tighter control of pressure, and lower pressure, than will the pressuretrol -- but you knew that.  You also knew, I'm sure, that a Mouat likes really low pressure -- 5 to 8 ounces.  That said...



If you are not getting any significant steam in the returns (they may be warm, but should not be hot) and if the system is otherwise working well, a vaporstat might be a waste of money.  However, if you are getting any significant steam in any of the returns, the vaporstat will probably manage to pay for itself -- and the system will work better.

jpf321

what is...

what is your approx cost/min or cost/hr to run the burner .. then go down and see how many minutes during a cycle you are over a reasonable v-stat setting of ~8oz (when you could be off instead). .. that should help you figure out when/whether the v-stat will be cost effective.