Two pipe steam system

Jack_13

I just purchased a house in ME with a two pipe system. I believe the boiler was last replaced in the mid seventies. The system seems to work well but it sucks down the fuel. Everyone I talk to about getting a more efficient boiler says to convert to water which I don't want to do. Is there a steam boiler out there for me that will save my oil consumption?

Steamhead

Don't convert it

The boiler may not be the cause. Once the boiler has generated the steam, the system must move it to the radiators.

Make sure the air vents are properly sized and working, the steam pipes are insulated and the traps (if used) are working. Also have a combustion efficiency test done on the boiler and make sure it's the right size for your system.

This may be a Vapor system. Have you found any manufacturer's names on any parts of the system such a radiator valves, traps, or any devices installed in the piping around the boiler? Post some pictures if you can.

If you haven't done so already, get a copy of Dan's "The Lost Art of Steam Heating" and "We Got Steam Heat" available on the Books and More page of this site. Also check out the Find a Professional page to locate someone near you who can straighten out the system.

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

Jack_13

I've done some research

but I'm still not sure of what kind of system I have. It is a two pipe system with a condensate pump. It has no main vents but the pump is vented. There is one f&t trap at the end of one of the mains but it doesn't appear that steam ever reaches it. All of the radiators (40)are heating well & there is no water hammer or other funny noises. I do have a local Contractor I found in "find a professional" coming over to check it out.
From Oct 16 to Nov 18 my boiler used 300 gal of fuel and it hasn't been that cold. I keep the thermastat at 64. Does this seem like a lot? I've attached some pictures to try to give you a better look. Thanks

Unknown

my first impression....

That system WAS a vapor system that was chopped up to allow it to be run at higher pressure.

Then it had a boiler connected to it by a hot water guy, that hasn't studied what happens as steam leaves the boiler.

There is room for improvement, for sure, and it WILL save fuel.

Noel

Jack_13

Where do you think would be the best place to start?
When the boiler is running the pressure gage doesn't move.
I know low pressure is good, but is that to low?

Unknown

Vapor systems operate UNDER half a pound.

They had controls to handle water backing out of the boiler if the coal fire got up to 1/2 PSI.

Modern boilers don't come with a control that can be dialed that low.

Modern code requires a gauge (30#) that reads twice the relief valve setting, which is 15 PSI.

You can ADD a gauge that reads in ounces, and a control (L 408A 1132) that MAXES OUT at 1 PSI.

With that control, the tank, and the traps could have stayed the way they were before the change, ie, not even there..

The traps aren't hurting anything, but that tank will need maintenance, and never was a part of the design.

Read "The Lost Art of Steam Heating," it is all about what happened to your system. No kidding.

Noel

Steamhead

Noel's right

those extra traps and pump are moving parts that don't need to be there. I'll bet when that pump comes on, it pushes enough cold water into the boiler that it stops steaming for a while.

You need someone who can restore that system to its original glory. Try the Find a Contractor page of this site.

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

Woody

by the way(btw)

those traps are barnes and jones models.....