turning steam to hot water heat

Steamhead

for details go to:

http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm?Id=22

I have found that it's much easier, less risky, less intrusive and less expensive to fix a steam system than to convert it. And besides, hot-water systems can freeze if the boiler quits- but not steam, since most of the pipes drain dry when the system is off.

Tell us more about this system, and post some pics if you can.

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terry_5

turning steam to hot water heat

has anyone did this? good or bad experience? 2pipe vs 1 pipe?

terry_5

turning steam to hot water heat

has anyone did this? good or bad experience? 2pipe vs 1 pipe?

Robert O'Connor_7

Steam to Hot Water

Yes. Mostly good, some difficult..Robert O'Connor/NJ

terry_5

any problems with water flow?

Robert Wright

convert old steam system to hot water

I have a steam boiler in an old house that is 410,000btu input. Heat calcs I just did ,using you book ,show the boiler is twice as big as I need The system piping is poorly installed and hammers like hell.Fuel bill is $1000/mo in jan Feb Upstate Ny location

Can I install an efficient hot water system using the existing two pipe system and the existing radiators? Do I need monoflow tees on risers to second floor?

Robert Wright

convert old steam system to hot water

I have a steam boiler in an old house that is 410,000btu input. Heat calcs I just did ,using you book ,show the boiler is twice as big as I need The system piping is poorly installed and hammers like hell.Fuel bill is $1000/mo in Jan - Feb Upstate NY location

Can I install an efficient hot water system using the existing two pipe system and the existing radiators? Do I need monoflow tees on risers to second floor?

A supply house said I should be able to cut my bill in half if I insulate the walls and put in a,200,000 btu hot water boiler they supply

Thad English

hw conversion......

I'd bet that getting a knowledgable pro in there to evaluate and repair your exisitng steam system would be cheaper than buying a new HW boiler. (Unless of course your old boiler is 30+ years old and hasn't been maintained and then it's probably a crapshoot.) This past winter I spent some good money redoing the near boiler piping, replacing all the radiator vents, and insulating all of the mains in my steam system. Instead of having a loud hammering, cold house, I had warm, quiet rooms to relax in. My natural gas bill went from $1000/month to $500/month. I figure by the end of the next heating season I will have paid for the repairs easily. By the end of the 2nd heating season we will have paid for the 49 storm windows installed on the house, and by the 3rd heating season we will have saved enough to have cellulose insulation blown in between the plaster/lathe and exterior stone walls. Get a steam pro to look at your system before you go switching to HW.

Steamhead

Your boiler may be twice as big

but what about your radiators?

Since your system is an old 2-pipe installation, there's a good chance it's Vapor. This type of system was the Cadillac of heating in its day and is still one of the best out there.

See my earlier post in this thread for a link to a discussion of the pitfalls you may encounter. Tell us more about your system, and where you're located.

In my experience, you're better off fixing your old system than trying to convert it.

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