Ahhhh, steam heat

Gsmith

We're experiencing near or below design day temperatures and wind chills in my area now and my single pipe steamer is keeping the house toasty warm. Because of the low temperatures the boiler runs more often, the radiators stay warm between cycles and passing by them gives a very warm pleasant feeling. Much better operations at these low temperatures than when it's 30-'s to 40's outside and the boiler runs more infrequently. These days are why I love my steam system. Oh, and a side benefit is that its an older system with a power pile pilot control, so if the electric power fails we always have heat as long as the gas company keeps the gas coming. Truly a blessing.

KC_Jones

This is definitely the type of weather that makes steam shine bright. My rads are close to the heat loss of the house, we are going to have an entire day at or close to design conditions. Rads are all full and blazing all day long. It's like having a bunch of little suns in the house. So nice.

Zipper13

Cold
Our wind chill was -25 F last night with an actual low of 3. I was SHOCKED that we stayed so warm as I am not confident in the insulation of our new home. the bitter cold out really does seem to keep the house more comfortable than when it's in the 30's outside.

Power Loss
@Gary Smith Could you give more info about your power outage protection you noted. we don't lose it often, but with the ice and 45MPH gusts last night, i thought we had a good chance and that would have been a very bad night to lose heat.

Intplm.

@Gary Smith I had That thermopile system as a kid growing up. When the weather gets like this I always think of and miss it. Never a concern with a power outage♨︎

Gsmith

My boiler is about 35 years old, I'm not sure the power pile is code acceptable on new installations. Maybe others in the field could say.

nicholas bonham-carter

I believe there are allowances for the Amish to have powerpile controls, as they are not an electrical device which would be unacceptable under their religious beliefs.
I don’t see why they would be any more dangerous than regular self lighting pilots.
If the pilot blows out, then the valve won’t open until it is relit.—NBC

ethicalpaul

I got to experience my design day with a suspected failure Saturday of my Honeywell S8600 ignition control. I can override it if I babysit it but the house got down to 55 last night. I feel like I’m in the coal days, getting up to manually turn on the heat.

I was happy that my little steamer got me back up to 70 in just a few hours and a new control is on the way, thanks Supplyhouse.com and thanks @Dave0176 for coming out and correcting my misdiagnosis of the thermocouple.

These temps do serve as a reminder of how bad my insulation is 😞

coelcanth

me too over here in queens..

most days the boiler keeps room temp about 1 degree above the thermostat setting.. yesterday was the first it dropped under the thermostat setting...

i think this masonry building has no insulation anywhere

but mostly everything is toasty
except these old aluminum double pane windows frosting up inside

Fred

We had temps at -8 last night with wind chills at about -20. Our Design day is "0" but it was so comfortable. No heating could come close to Steam when conditions get like that!