home owner in need of advice

merrill

Hi -

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

I have a one-pipe, gas fired, steam heat system. We are new to the house, and I have had several heating and plumbing folks in, but we are still having some problems.

We turn down the heat at night, and when the heat comes on in the morning, it takes over an hour to raise the temperature 3 degrees. When I went down to the boiler to check it out, I noticed the system comes on for about 30 minutes, then pressures out. Then, the system comes back on in 3 minutes, only to pressure out 3 minutes later. This short cycling continues until the heat comes up to the thermostat setting.

Is this OK? Why does it go on originally for 30 minutes, but then start to short cycle?

My second question is regarding main vents. We have 1 main vent (as far as I can tell) very close to the boiler. Our vents on the radiators tend to get louder the longer the system is running. I am assuming we need more main vents, and properly placed, but the 2 contractors we have had in insist the one main is fine.

And lastly, I am concerned that maybe our system is oversized. is there a way a homeowner can do the math to determine this?

Thank you for any help you can give!

TGO_43

I think

you are on the right track about the main vents. If the air can't leave the system fast enough you will build enough pressure to shut down the burner even though all the radiators aren't hot. You may want to try the find a contrator feature to locate a "steam guy" near you. Where are you located?

Dale

Vents plus

If the radiatrors don't get hot, guessing this from your post, the steam can't get to them perhaps a boiler problem or because the air can't get out of them. Start by checking the pitch of the mains, the connection above the boiler must be the highest point and an even slope down from there to back to the boiler. Although you didn't mention hammering if the pipes hold water they are effectively smaller and block steam flow. Next I would just unscrew the main vent and start the boiler, is the air comes out quickly and the rads heat you add more main vent. Make sure alll rads are sloped to the inlet and the rad valves full open. If one rad doesnt't heat unscrew that rads air vent and see what happens. You didn't mention pressure but at this site the 2 pound max is preached. Set the pressure trol to 1/2 pound cut in with a 1 1/2 pound differential. If you really want to understand this topic go to "books and more" at the left and get Dan's steam book for less than a months low budget cable TV charge.

Mad Dog

Poor venting is usually the culprit.............................



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