I give up.

Big-Al_2

Since last year, I really tried to sneak some more fuel efficiency out of my steam boiler.  I ceaned it up really well, lowered the pressure, insulated the little bit of bare pipe I had, and added extra main vents.  I also weatherized the house . . . re-glazed windows, added window locks to keep them closed tightly, replaced the worst windows with double-glazed Low-E units, added super-tight premium storm windows to the rest, weatherstripped the doors, etc. 



Even though the thermostat is set the same, the house definitely feels warmer and less drafty.  However . . . even after correcting for degree-days, I seem to be using 5% MORE gas than last year. 



Fecal matter!  I give up.

Jamie Hall

Frustrating, isn't it?

Can't say that we're using a lot more fuel here, but we aren't using any less, either, and we've done a lot of that stuff.  Oh well.  Makes you feel good, anyway, eh?

Steamhead

Maybe

with all the tightening-up you did, you're starving the burner flame for air? 



Have a pro do a digital combustion test to make sure.

Big-Al_2

Basement is still plenty drafty . . .

so I doubt that the burner is starved for air, but I don't know for sure how well the burner is set up.  The flame looks perfect but the combustion test is still a great suggestion.



I got to thinking too . . . back in November I re-piped the whole house . . . removed the undersized, congested galvanized plumbing and put in properly sized copper . . . and put in a new, larger water heater that maintains temperature.   We now have plenty of nice hot water and plenty of pressure.   That might increase our gas bill . . . and our water bill . . . but at least the shower doesn't stop running if somebody turns on a faucet.  Oh yeah, . . . . come to think of it, I added one more radiator over the summer too, and slowed down the venting on the radiator nearest the stat.  Maybe it's surprising that the gas bill is as low as it is.  At least our sweater bills are lower. ;-)