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Nest Energy Data
Kjmass1
Member Posts: 243
I was curious to what you guys thought of my energy usage from my steam system. The last 3 days have been highs in the 60-66, lows in the 40-45s at night. Does this burn pattern seem standard? Each bar represents a 20 minute burn, and on Monday night it ran every 2 hours. My house seems to hold the temperature throughout the day, and steam hits each rad at the same time.
My thermomoter away from the thermostat says the house varies from 70-72 degrees each day, humidity 45-55%. All the nest aware functions are set off and it is set to 72 degrees. I do wish Nest could overlay historical temp along with energy usage, cost per therm, neighbors nest data, etc.
Thoughts?
Kevin
My thermomoter away from the thermostat says the house varies from 70-72 degrees each day, humidity 45-55%. All the nest aware functions are set off and it is set to 72 degrees. I do wish Nest could overlay historical temp along with energy usage, cost per therm, neighbors nest data, etc.
Thoughts?
Kevin
0
Comments
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That length of burn seems long in those relatively mild temperatures. How long is it taking steam to arrive at the radiators when you set up the temp from a cold start?--NBC0
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It's a pretty old boiler (Pennco)- I think the last time I checked it was 8-10 minutes from an absolute cold start to the end of the mains. House is 2000 sq ft. I'll try and time it the next time it goes on.
In theory how fast should it travel down the mains? I have a Gorton #1 on each main.
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I think another gorton 2 on each would speed it up.
If you have a gauge in ounces, then it will show the back pressure as the air is being pushed out. Low back pressure=low resistance=shorter burn times=less money for fuel!--NBC0 -
I was measuring up the mains as I need to replace the asbestos insulation that we had removed. It's roughly 65' total between the 2 main vents. I'll time how long it takes for the main to get hot at the boiler and to the end of each main.0
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I think JStar has calculated one gorton 2 is good for 20 feet of 2 inch pipe, so it looks like your main venting needs improvement.
If the boiler fires 5-6 times a day, then the extra few minutes to get the air out will make a difference over the winter in total firing time and con$umption!--NBC0 -
So here's what I got from a relatively cold start (12+ hrs)
2:34 Boiler pipe too hot to touch
9:26 Vent #1 closes (25 feet)
12:50 Vent #2 closes (40 feet)
13:00-20:00 radiators fill and thermostat call is fulfilled for +2 degrees0 -
That seems like slow venting, probably by a factor of 4.
If you took the main vents off the mains, (open vent test), and performed the same test, you would see a great difference (careful of the steam, and turn the boiler off when you see the steam)--NBC0 -
So you think I could put (2) #2's on the 45 ft main, and then use my 2 existing #1s on the 20 ft main?0
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Yes that would be an improvement--NBC0
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8-10 minutes from a cold start sounds pretty darned fast to me. It takes me that long to boil a pot of water!nicholas bonham-carter said:I think another gorton 2 on each would speed it up.
If you have a gauge in ounces, then it will show the back pressure as the air is being pushed out. Low back pressure=low resistance=shorter burn times=less money for fuel!--NBC0 -
It's the 7 minutes to go 25 feet that seems slow.--NBC0
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I just purchased 2 #2's. Can I dip the antler down an inch or two if I need the clearance? Either that or punch a hole in the plaster ceiling (wouldn't be the first).0
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i would be very leery about lowering the main to fit a vent unless you have a lot of slope to that main. Better to sacrifice a bit of plaster.
BobSmith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
3PSI gauge0 -
That will work fine, I have the same setup on my steam main. Make sure the slope of that antler allows water to get back to the boiler.
BobSmith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
3PSI gauge0 -
Some success! First of all supplyhouse.com shipped the gortons overnight with standard shipping so that was great.
new times:
2:30 boiler hot
7:45 short main closes
8:15 long main closes
That results in a steam travel time decrease of 25% for the short main, and 39% for the longer one. I'll take the 33% overall $$ savings!
Thanks for everyone's help!
Kevin0 -
Maybe another gorton 2 would speed things up further.
Now if you had some insulation on that pipe, the time for steam arrival could be even less.--NBC0 -
Actually, Insulation was ordered yesterday, so that should help.nicholas bonham-carter said:Maybe another gorton 2 would speed things up further.
Now if you had some insulation on that pipe, the time for steam arrival could be even less.--NBC
It'll be interesting to see how things progress once it gets colder and it runs more often. Thanks again.0
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