hartford loop and equalizer on one pipe steam?

paul_81

Came across a one pipe steam boiler today without a Hartford loop and equalizer.  The Steam main rises 30" then travels the perimeter of the basement, sloping down.  When it gets back to the boiler, there is a tee, piping from bottom of tee drops down 4.5' to enter the bottom of the boiler, top of tee goes up 18" to a steam vent.  Should we take the time and expense to pipe in the hartford loop and equalizer?

Does a programmable thermostat set to one CPH also make sense?



 

ChrisJ

Absolutely

I am not a pro, but my understanding is you should ALWAYS have a Hartford loop and an equalizer.  Installing it will be cheaper than replacing the building and its owners should a leak develop in the return line.

Steamhead

If the boiler is very old

it may have been installed before Hartford Loops were required. Make sure it has a good low-water cutoff on it- I've seen a few that didn't.

Paul Fredricks_3

sounds like

There's no wet returns, so nothing for the Hartford loop to protect. Good near boiler piping would be a good thing, like a header and equalizer.