Question about HW system

jspost_22

Hello everyone,

About 6 years ago, I bought a very original well maintained 1936 house with a mostly original hot water system. I work in the electrical field, but I do have some knowledge/training on heating systems. I was wondering if anyone would know if this system was originally a gravity system??

It is currently set up as a forced system. The piping is two HUGE supply and return loops, one serves the front of the house (LR,DR,Kit) and the other serves the rear portion (Beds,Bath) The current boiler was installed about 12 years ago, it is a Buderus chimney vented 103,000 btu natural gas. The previous boiler(s) were oil fired and most likely originally coal fired. I did find an old coal fork and rake, as well as an old boiler door that reads “Remove Ashes Daily” in the basement. Also the original expansion tank is still in place, though no longer used. This system works amazingly well and heats the house very evenly, even on those very cold upstate New York winter days. I absolutely love this system and have had not a single issue other than having to replace one radiator shut off valve that had a slight leak…oh and yes I know the pipe insulation most likely contains asbestos…but it is in good shape and I make sure it stays undisturbed 😉

jesmed1

Very nice. You're fortunate that you bought a well-maintained house/heating system with no problems.

I'm a homeowner like you, not a pro. I maintain our 4-unit condo building, built about the same time as your house, with 2 boilers on a converted gravity system. We have large supply and return pipes like you do, so I would guess yours was also originally a gravity system.

The pros here have taught me a lot about our system, which had some air management problems because we still use the old compression-style expansion tank. Fortunately yours has been converted to an air elimination system, so you shouldn't have any problem with air in radiators.

But you've come to the right place for professional advice. The pros here are very experienced and generous with their time and knowledge if you run into any problems in future.

pedmec

That radiator is awesome. Just don't ask me to help you move it. that's where I draw the line. lol

jspost_22

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1823577#Comment_1823577

Haha my father and I moved this monster away from the wall when I painted the room…Used a piece of 1 inch iron pipe as a pry bar to inchworm it…It must weigh upwards of 1000 pounds. To think somehow they moved radiators like this into houses and buildings years ago…