One-Pipe System Tune Up For A Newbie, and Some Small Problems

heyou

Hello!

I just moved into a 100 year old rowhouse in central Maryland, and I'd like to get the steam heat into proper and efficient working order!

Here is what I know about the system:



-Single pipe, with 6 radiators, 3 upstairs, 3 on main floor, boiler in basement.

-Two main vents, one on each end of the mains in the basement. Boiler is roughly in the center, one main feeds the two front rooms on both floors, the other feeds the rear of the house.

-Boiler is a Smith GB200 Series, installed in 1999.



I've done some light reading on steam heat, but don't know a whole lot about it. Fairly certain that it is not working as well as it could be however.

Issues I've noticed:

-Basement is hot as hell! Warmest part of the house. From the reading I've done, I'm guessing that this is because all of the pipes in the basement are uninsulated.

-2nd floor is coldest part of the house, 5 degrees cooler than main floor which is quite comfortable. All 3 upstairs radiators get "warm" to the touch, but not anywhere as warm as the main floor rads.

-The pressure gauge on the boiler NEVER moves. I haven't ever seen it come off of zero.

-I've got one gray box next to the gauge with a "cut-in" setting on it, set to 5psi. Box is stamped Honeywell. What does this control?



So where do I go from here? Step one would be insulate all the mains and return in the basement. What kind of insulation should I buy, and where can I find it? How do I fix my other issues?



Thanks for your help!

Unknown

glad you became

Glad you became a owner of the steam heating system... apparently you are not complaining about the noises assocatie(sp) with the steam system which means boiler and near pipings is correctly installed. However, the pipe mains should be insulated with min 1" fiberglas insulations. About those radiators not getting hot, sounds like venting issues.. If you get the books " the steamy deal" from this site.. The books will cover every questions you have and more...

TomM

step one

step one would be to locate that gray box called a pressuretrol, and turn that thing down to .5 psi , as low as you can go.  That's step one.... 

[url=http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/75797/pressuretrol-settings]http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/75797/pressuretrol-settings

nicholas bonham-carter

step 2

get a good low pressure gauge,[gaugestore.com 0-2 psi], and you will finally know what your pressure is. in addition, look at your main vents [pictures will identify them , if they are not marked].

check your thermostat for anticipation, and if digital, for "steam rated"[not all are].

definitely, insulate those pipes, even with batts of 1 in. as a temporary fix.--nbc

Steamhead

Where in Central Maryland?

We're located in Baltimore- give us a call, 410-321-8116. Also see our "Find a Professional" ad on this site, by clicking the link below. 

heyou

Replace old thermostat?

Got the cut in set to 0.5, and finally discovered the adjustment knob for cut out and cranked it down to 1. Also got half of the mains insulated, just need to work out a solution for the elbow and Tee fittings. Couldn't find a fiberglass jacket for them locally, so I think I'm going to wrap them in fiberglass then cover in heat tape. Would it be a good idea to replace my thermostat? I'ts a very old non-programmable model. If it's recommended that I replaced it, does anyone have a suggestion on what to buy instead?

JStar

Steam T-Stat.

The simpler the better. Get a basic non-digital (and non power stealing) thermostat. I never recommend setbacks for steam heat. I just leave it at one temperature and forget about it. I don't like the idea of the radiators going completely cold for too long.



Did insulating the pipes help get more heat to the second floor?