Savings.

SeanBeans

Can any of the pros here let me know an approximate percentage that an owner can save from switching their pressuretrol to a vaporstat and updating their main venting, rather than keeping the very old one, during a new installation?

Will be installing 64-08, main is 3.5 down to 2 inch over about 100 feet.

I’m just curious how much homeowners have saved when you have updated those two things? Thanks guy

Jamie Hall

It would take a very very brave person indeed to make such a prediction. Indeed, I'd go so far as to say they were a d__n fool for doing so. Too many variables.

That said, I'm sure that someone will give you a number. Just for goodness' sake don't quote it to your customer...

EBEBRATT-Ed

I agree with @Jamie Hall too many variables to come up with an accurate #

Fred

I would say if they were running the Pressuretrol at a pound to a pound and a half and if the old main venting works and was adequate to vent the mains effectively, there isn't likely to be much savings, if any, directly related to those items. If the Pressuretol was set high and the main venting inadequate, there will likely be some fuel savings but that will be the result of correcting those problems not a vaporstat Vs a Pressuretrol or new vents vs. older ones.

Steamhead

Is this a one-pipe or two-pipe system?

New England SteamWorks

A vaporstat isn't so much about efficiency as running properly. Main vents are all about efficiency and make a huge difference.

SlamDunk

just curious, why wouldnt you replace the old pressure controller regardless?

Fred

SlamDunk said:

just curious, why wouldnt you replace the old pressure controller regardless?

Some of the older Pressuretrols are more reliable and accurate than the newer ones, especially the mercury switch ones. If I were installing a new boiler, I would probably install a Vaporstat and, if I knew the old Pressuretrol works, I'd install it as a back-up to the Vaporstat.

Jamie Hall

I would never replace either a mercury pressuretrol or mercury vaporstat, unless it was proven defective (broken diaphragm, broken spring, something of that sort). They are much more reliable than the newer microswitch versions.

Same thing for a mercury T87 thermostat -- unless I had to have the "modern" features.

SlamDunk

yeah but everything has a lifespan. a limited number of cycles. accuracy has to drift.

SeanBeans

More info:

This old beast still runs, just very inefficent.
it’s a one pipe system, with 4 apartments on 3rd floor, same for the 2nd floor and 2 units in the basement that utilize ceiling hung rads. We will be using a manual reset Lwco and pressuretrol as secondary safety’s of course.

nicholas bonham-carter

How have you calculated the efficiency?
Have you examined the main air vents?—NBC

SeanBeans

Let’s just say that the efficiency is for sure lower than what the owner of the property wants to pay for every winter from now on.

I haven’t examined the air vents capacity or performance but based on what I’ve learned on this site I can imagine that their existing vent can’t handle the volume efficiently.

Really I just want to do the best job I can and in my mind that includes a vaporstat and addressing the venting. But informing owners of how it should operate doesn’t ring the same bell sometimes as potential savings..

Steamhead

Best way is to cite examples of similar jobs. See our Find a Contractor ad for one, in which we didn't replace the boilers.

SeanBeans

Thanks @Steamhead