Steam System Running Most Efficiently?

ktm1217

I have a two story 1860's farmhouse with single-pipe steam radiators. The system runs off of a Burnham V84 boiler, Beckett burner. After talking with a friend recently, he mentioned installing new steam vents on his radiators made a word of difference in heating. So i started doing some reading, and id just like some thoughts from everyone.

I believe one out of 9 radiators in my house has a Gorton vent, the rest are Vari-valve. I do have one or two radiators that do not heat up. I have owned the house for about 4 years now, and i know the old owner did not maintain the system as it probably shouldve been maintained. I last serviced the boiler in October 2021 (i have a woodstove that does 90% of my heating so the boiler doesnt get used all the time). There are two vents on the main pipes that I have found, each being roughly 15ft from the boiler. The mains are 1 3/4". One vent is a "maid-o-mist", the other i have included a photo of for id purposes. I do not know how old my current vents are.

So should new vents be installed for quicker heating? How long do vents normally last? Should i stick with the vari-valves or switch to another brand?

Grallert

If you could provide more information that would be helpful. The life span of vents depends on a lot of factors. Two being boiler piping and control settings. If you would post additional pictures of the boiler and it's near boiler piping, step back and get as much in from different angles and close up of you gauges and operating control the experts can take it from there.

ktm1217

ktm1217

Here are a few pictures of the system. The vent i pictured in the first post is down to the left of the boiler, along the back foundation wall.

EdTheHeaterMan

Appears to be correctly installed. You mentioned that you have some radiators that do not heat of take to long to heat. Those radiators are the ones that need new vents sooner than later. If you believe that your vents are older than ten years in service, then you should replace all of them. That one Gorton on the main appears to be newer that the one that looks like a mini rocket booster. I would replace that one with a Gorton now.

Depending on the white DIFF dial setting, the gray cover pressure control looks like the Operating control and the clear cover pressure control looks like the High Limit

bburd

The differential on the pressuretrol is set too high. Suggest you reduce it to one psi.

EdTheHeaterMan

bburd said:

The differential on the pressuretrol is set too high. Suggest you reduce it to one psi.

Not necessary. Depending on the white DIFF dial setting, the gray cover pressure control looks like the Operating control and the clear cover pressure control looks like the High Limit. That control never operates. The little gray cover pressure control is the one that is doing all the work. If you are comfortable with it, you can remove the gray cover and see the DIFF dial setting. That will tell the full story.

bburd

@EdTheHeaterMan good catch, I did not notice that there are two pressuretrols.

ktm1217

Here is the DIFF setting

ktm1217

I should also add, i do notice a slight hissing/air noise from the Gorton main vent, and also a radiator or two gives off some sound from the vent valves when the system gets hot. It almost sounds like a person breathing. The way i understand it, is that these valves should be quiet and make no sound. Would that indicate a bad vent valve also? 

EdTheHeaterMan

Not necessarily. If all the other vents are defective and there is limited venting, then the vents that work may be working overtime. Your pressure settings are low enough to be noise free at the vents if they are all working. But there is air leaving the pipes and radiators when the steam starts to push through the system. If you get close enough to any vent while the air is being released you will hear something. The idea is to have it be unnoticeable. Is the noise objectionable? If not then leave it alone.

But if you are starting a maintenance program that you want to follow, you can start with all new vents and then rotate what vents you will replace every so many year. Number all your radiators and replace vents on the even number radiators in 2 years. Then replace the odd number vents in 4 years, then the even number vents 2 years after that... or you can be like most and wait for a problem in 10 years and do it all over again.

ktm1217

Thanks for the information and advice! I may start by changing out all of them just for preventative maintenance. I know when i serviced the boiler, it was well overdue. So im sure the vents are getting up in age as well. 

I see the Gortons, and varivalve are the most recommended. Any reason to one or the other? I think i will change the main vents as well while im at it.

Steamhead

Gorton #1 main vents would be my choice for your mains. But is that Maid-o-Mist a #1 also? If so, I'd keep it till it quits.

The other main vent looks like a Home Depot product. Way too small for your mains.

ktm1217

I did not see a number on that Gorton Main, i will have to look at it again. All i noticed was Gorton, Maid-o-mist, self adjustable.

ktm1217

What would be an appropriate size for the other main vent?

I believe this is the current vent i have on the main.
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Jacobus-Maid-O-Mist-J1-1-3-4-x-1-2-Main-Vent-Valve-3563000-p?utm_source=google_ad&utm_medium=Shopping_tm&utm_campaign=Shopping_TM_New_users&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIorytnMbXggMVzUpHAR3mTwttEAQYASABEgKMNfD_BwE

dabrakeman

ktm1217 said:

I should also add, i do notice a slight hissing/air noise from the Gorton main vent, and also a radiator or two gives off some sound from the vent valves when the system gets hot. It almost sounds like a person breathing. The way i understand it, is that these valves should be quiet and make no sound. Would that indicate a bad vent valve also? 

You may get a hissing from a main vent as steam begins to be produced. Steam will push air out the main vent until the steam reaches the vent at which time or very soon after it should close. With your uninsulated pipes it should be easy for you to track the progress of the steam in the pipe and verify that the hissing stops when the steam gets to the vent. If it doesn't then the vent will be releasing steam meaning it is stuck open and should be replaced. IF it is working, leave it.

May want to insulate your pipes as well.