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thermostat

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246810
246810 Member Posts: 1
in Strictly Steam
I have a steam heat system with a boiler and radiators. I am wondering if anyone has ever heard of a thermostat that will keep the system running when the electricity is out? 

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  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,326
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    Back in the old days...

    if you had a gas boiler with a self-generating pilot light system -- micropile, I think -- yes.  So long as the pilot was lit the little thermocouple thingy generated power which could go to the thermostat and to the gas valve.



    Or... if you had coal... there were some lovely contraptions which maintained a beautiful even temperature with some bellows and chains and levers.  Worked well.



    But.  Nowadays?  No, unless you have backup power.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,576
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    Backup power

    You could use a big computer ups to carry you over during a blackout. I have a separated circuit for the boiler, with a switch which enables me to cut in a 1600 va ups when needed.

    The funny thing is that we have no longer have the blackouts we had before the ups installation! I left the wiring up to my electrician, so I am not sure how it is wired. I do know that the ground must be good to make it work on battery.--NBC
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