Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.
If our community has helped you, please consider making a contribution to support this website. Thanks!

Tekmar 279

Options
VincentAlbi_2
VincentAlbi_2 Member Posts: 4
in Strictly Steam

Great site. So I live in a 7 apt.3 floor house 1 block from the water in Brooklyn. The house was built in 1900's. I installed a heat timer after Super storm Sandy filled the cellar with 7 Feet of seawater and after the boiler contractor installed a new boiler. Originally this steam system was coal fired. Occupants would open their windows when it got too hot. Back then there was NO conservation. Well 3 to 4 new boilers later they all just copied the BTU's of the boiler they were replacing, over-sized has they didn't take the time to calculate requirements. Installed a tekmar 279 control and have always had issues with overheating some rooms with large radiators and underheating others. This year with temps from 2 to 45 it has been problematic. I have a good knowledge of steam better than the clowns allowed to install this system thanks to "What the Dead Men Knew". I had replaced main vents, replaced and instructed tenants to either close radiators completely {1 pipe system). I believe the cold air drafts confuse the controller and in some cases prevent steam from rising in risers. The owner has 0 intrest in making corrections , insulating pipes under crawl spaces , reinstalling near boiler insulation after the core replacement before this season. I don't have setbacks timer in use trying differential settings ony 1 apartment sensor. Tekar will call for heat even with room temperature 5 degrees above room set point. I have read that the heat timer can't compensate for wind drafts. I have a return sensor that is working properly. Any suggestions on settings for the Tekmar would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,992

    Those building are tough. I would suggest running the pressure as low as possible. A timer system added to an oversized boiler may smooth things out in addition to the Tekmar. You run the boiler until the radiation starts to heat then shut it down and let the radiation heat and the building absorb the heat instead of short cycling on pressure.

    TRVs could be added to any radiators that overheat.

    Just a few ideas.

  • VincentAlbi_2
    VincentAlbi_2 Member Posts: 4

    Thanks for your response. Where in the Tekmar 279 whould a timer be installed? It is a straight forward system..outside temp calls for heat, inside sensor tracks room satisfied. The issue is the size of the radiators . After the established steam is reached it's all radiant heat. Temperature goes for 70 to 90. I need to generate a shorter cycle. That will allow cool down. I am concderating timed cycle 20 - 30 min. These old buildings were never designed for todays boilers. Very common back then to open windows..crazy with fuel costs. I have a couple of Danfoss vents might help. Closing completely 2 large radiators work but common hallway doesn't get heat. Thinking of adding vents on hall risers so bedroom radiator can be shut. Again thanks for your help.

Categories