help with steam system

gearjammer2005

need help with upgradeing two pipe airvent steam system in twelve unit 1903 condo.this is a major challenge system has been badly butchered in the past third boiler since 2005 they have had a number of people prime the system for self distruction last company let the boiler leak since 2009 horror story almost burnt down building long story short they want to rip out system and replace it with god knows what. this system can be saved need someone to do a complete assesment willing to pay for your time located 10 miles north of boston

Steamhead

Of course it can be saved

just have to get rid of the knuckleheads!



If you can't find someone closer, I can come up from Baltimore.

ed wallace

help with steam system

whats the chances to get axcess to all the units how many factions are fighting each other on the condo board

gearjammer2005

help with steam system

so you remember the place most of the brains are gone there is only one menber on the board mary and i resigned after we met with you the boiler self dustructed after 4 years and almost burned the building down they tried hide the damage for two years and only acted after i threatened to tag the boiler acess to at least 11 units they are like chickens with there heads cut last years oil bill was over 30,000 dollars most of it because of massive leak

ed wallace

help with steam system

so does that mean the condo owners are now open to listening to common sence

gearjammer2005

help with steam system

i would hope so but they believe that gas hot air is the way to go but they have no idea as to the cost left to there own devices they will do nothing Mary and I haved stepped back in

gearjammer2005

help with steam system

i would hope so but they believe that gas hot air is the way to go but they have no idea as to the cost left to there own devices they will do nothing Mary and I haved stepped back in

Steamhead

"gas hot air"

sounds like a politician!



Get Ed in there and he'll get it working right.

ed wallace

help with steam system

so they have no idea that each unit would need a gas furnace in each condo unit and that ductwork looks ugly running thru units with 12 ft ceiling sounds like they are sold on warm air with central air thats to bad send me a privat mail I would love to talk to you and Mary again

Rod

Fix the system you have!

Going to hot air isn’t a very good option. I don’t think that option has been well thought out.  Keep in mind that when the burner in a hot air furnace turns off, the heat stops!  Radiators take a while to cool so they keep heating the room even when the burner has shut off.  Hot air isn’t radiant heat, it has to be blown into a room, so tends to be “drafty”. Having air (and dust) move about can cause discomfort to those with breathing problems.

With a pre existing building you can’t necessarily install the hot air outlets in the optimum position so there maybe cold spots in the room.  I won’t even go into the problems of running ducting in older buildings or how are you going to control temperature in the building to everyone’s satisfaction.

You have a very good heating system already in place. Two pipe steam is the “Cadillac” of heating systems and properly setup, they provide very comfortable heating and are economical to run.  I would investigate your options for getting the present system fixed by an experienced steam pro as I’m pretty sure you will find that it the most economical way to get the system you want.

I would also keep in mind that it’s already July and winter is on its way. If you wait to too long you’ll be getting into the start of the heating season and you may find then it takes longer to get items like a new boiler.   Since you already know Ed, you don’t have to search for a good steam pro.  He’ll be able to tell you what exactly needs to be done to get your heating system back on track.  It sounds to me like  the bigger problem is getting everyone else on the same track.

Good luck!

- Rod

gearjammer2005

help with steam system

thanks ed i sent contact infro to you looking forward to speakjng with you

gearjammer2005

help with steam system

thanks ed i sent contact infro to you looking forward to speakjng with you

Charlie from wmass

Yep sounds like the typical attitude towards steam now

Instead of training techs to work on steam or the boss at least learning how to lay out steam they want to rip it out. they defiantly do not consider the upheaval it causes in a building to change a heating system. If it was their own money they would still rip out the steam as they are not capable of fixing it.

Steamhead

Which proves once again

that you can't fix stupid!