New Yorker Steam Boilers

MotownSteamer

I am signing a contract soon to install a 245000 BTU gas fired New Yorker steam boiler. Anyone have objective comments on their experiences with one of these?

nicholas bonham-carter

questions for your installer

1.will the boiler be piped exactly as the installation manual requires so i don't void my warranty?

2.will my main [not radiator] vents be verified for correct operation?

3.will my operating pressure be no greater than 1.5 psi?

4.is my installer knowlegable about steam heating?

5.is there a stocking distributor for my boiler in my town?

it is the installer who makes the difference in a steam installation.

you could search this site for the model of boiler you are considering, and see what the postings say.--nbc

MotownSteamer

Yes

to all the above?. I think I've done a good job of checking the installer out. I actually got referred through this site. And, I did find the prior posts about NY-er boilers. I guess at this point I'd like to hear from some owners. Thanks for the reply and checklist! Can't be too careful with one chance to do it right.

bob young

New Yorker Steam Boilers

MAKE sure he skims it properly. no skim tapping on that boiler. other than that , i see no problem . low budget boiler but seems to do the job. i have used several with no problems.  package boiler  pre-fabbed wiring exposed  not in armor greenfield. should be rectified. pigtail black iron , replace w/ stainless. code violation.  bob young nyc lic. plbr

MotownSteamer

thanks Bob

You are right.....no skim tap! Jeez....how can the boiler be properly cleaned after install? I plan on requesting king valves and drains; will that allow for proper cleaning?

bob young

skim

put a tee before relief blow-off valve & drop bown w/ ball valve .  3/4 #  , not full size but better than nothing & i have had success using this method.  bob

bob young

upgrade

another point. you may consider upgrading to burnham independance series.  just a few hundred dollars more but might be worth it for your own home if you intend to stay for a few years. the cst iron on the new yorker may be inferior. they had to cut a corner somewhere to reduce price. and the block is the heart of the unit. THE LABOR IS IDENTICAL.    your call.  where are you located.  bob

MotownSteamer

Mmmmmmm

I like the Burnham; I'll talk to my guy about it. Looks like we can get it knocked down which saves from taking a door apart. Any thoughts on choice of vaporstat? Lots of negatives on the wall. I live near Detroit

bob young

New Yorker Steam Boilers

When it comes to vaporstats , i would talk to steamhead [ frank ] . he is one of the experts in that area. i use pressurtrols & shoot for two pounds. my customers are cheapskates & would rather pay a high gas bill than take my advice on hi-tech options.  i give them what they want & go to the next job. case closed. just lost a job for a thirty  year customer to a discount butcher unlicensed  plumber because he was two hundred dollars cheaper on a 6500.00 job. so he got nailed by the bldg. dept. & got fined & had to get someone licensed to finish the job. nothing like getting it cheaper & then paying twice. what a world.  bob

Steamhead

My choice

would be the L408J1009 Vaporstat. This unit cannot be set higher than 1 pound, which is plenty for almost any system.

MotownSteamer

Great advice

Thanks guys! I'll post my choice and some pictures. I figure, pay once, cry once! I live in an old neighborhod where most folks that get frustrated with their steam systems rip them out and put in rigged forced air systems. I'm old fashioned and tried to learn all I could about this stuff. No reason these systems can't be great once again. Looking forward to some fuel economy after all this effort.