steam heat advice

salbuild

Let me start with some backround on the subject system: I have just bought an ~1890's 2.5 storey house in NH that has a one pipe steam heat system. The boiler is about 10 years old (don't remember the mfg). The pipes in the basement no longer have any insulation on them, therefore the basement is quite toasty. The rest of the system seems to be pretty balanced. I am renting the house out as of June 1. The previous owner indicated that 1100 gals. of fuel are used in a year (ouch!)(~ 1700sq ft, 1st and 2nd floors). And the living room radiator has been welded at one leg, and seems to leak there.
My questions are:
1) Should I insulate the basement steam pipes again, or at least partially? (My heating contractor suggested that the heat in the basement (full height and dry) will help heat the floors of the 1st floor radiantly, and keep the basement dry).
2) What should I do about the leaking welded livingroom radiator, and if replaced, does it have to be the same size, or how close- since I'd be replacing it probably with an old re-used one.
3) What sort of other improvements can be looked into for energy savings. (It is insulated with blown in cellulose- from wall exploration).
4) Which steam heat book should I buy, that's got technical info in it, but (Maybe) not to the point of me being able to completely design a new steam plant for any application..... and not the other extreme of 5th grade reader. It looks like there are 3 books available.
5) How do I set up the system to get hot water in the summer (like now), when the steam heating is not necessary. I have raised the hot water setting up to 190F. How close to "212F" can I put it? And should I increase the level of water in the boiler for summer hot water? There is a piece of black electrical tape on the sight glass. The previous owner said to keep the water level within the tape (it is about 2/3-3/4 up the sight glass). Oh, and I am blowing down the system weekly. The previous owner said he knows to do it weekly, but he did it daily to make sure. Very fastidious owner. Great clean, solid (but outdated) house. -Have to upgrade the wiring- mix of knob and tube and early ?romex?- putting in new service, smoke detector system and new grounded outlets in all rooms. Electrician said all the switch and overhead lighting wire could stay whatever it is.... hmmm. Not sure if I'm comfortable with that... but that's another story.
6) How much of a negative effect would putting covers over the radiators be, vs painting them (and what's the best way to paint them. They are big beasts and really can't be sent out to be powder coated, like I did in my other ancient house.
7) Any other suggestions? I've looked up finding a professional in my area, and the closest that "specializes" in steam heat is 30 miles away in Concord. May call them up. The contractor I am using seems to know steam systems, since there are so many around...
Thanks for all the help. Will be up working on the house for the next couple of days, so will not be able to "stop by" until about Wednesday. Thanks again all!
~Sal

salbuild

Sorry about being so long winded....

Just trying to give enough details up front...
Thanks again for any help.
Sal

Thad English

issues

Being a homeowner who has dealt with some of the same problems you speak of, I can tell you this:

Order 2 of Dan's Books: "We Got Steam Heat" and "the Lost Art of Steam Heat" They will answer all of your questions.

You should definitely insulate the basement steam mains. The radiant idea doesn't work as well as you may think. You get more fuel savings and a more comfortable space having those BTUs transferred via the radiators. Dan explains it all in both the books above. I knocked 20% off my daily fuel usage just by insulating the mains. It paid for itself in 3 weeks.

Good luck with your system, and order those books!

-T

Mad Dog

you need to get in touch with the Steam expert of the North

Mr. Noel Murdough of Slant Fin. He's from NH and maybe you guys can meet up next time he goes home. He can design a new Slant Fin Steam Boiler Plant and spec it for you. Oh Noel where are you????? Mad Dog

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

JM_2

Burnham or slantfin

Mad dog which do you like better, Burnham or Slantfin for gas fired steam. I am replacing two 82 yr old oil units in a two family.

salbuild

steam heat advice

Thanks Thad, I will be ordering the books today. I think I have found a replacement radiator for the one in the livingroom. And will be insulating at least some of the main steam lines in the basement. Thanks again for the input.

salbuild

steam heat advice

Thanks Thad, I will be ordering the books today. I think I have found a replacement radiator for the one in the livingroom. And will be insulating at least some of the main steam lines in the basement. Thanks again for the input.