warm start for steam boiler

Wild Bill

I plan on putting an aquastat in my previously "cold start" oil-fired steam boiler to help it stay cleaner and preserve my venting. I am wondering what temperature setting and differential setting the aquastat should be set at for the Summer.
Thank you in advance,
Bill

Dale

Off

I would leave it off in the summer unless you need domestic water. There is a fuel shortage, why waste it? In the winter the aquastat will give you less condensate at startup and less expansion noise. Larger buildings that use thermostat setback often leave the boiler water at 180 F.

Firedragon_4

Although I am a great believer in warm start,

I totally agree with Dale if it doesn't make DHW leave it off.

You'd be better off shutting the unit down when the heat is off, opening the boiler and cleaning it. After cleaning it and the flueways leave all of the doors and such open and shutoff the fuel supply and breaker. This will allow the boiler to breathe and not condense so badly.

When ready to heat, close the unit up, turn on the fuel, reset the breaker and Happy Heating!

John@Reliable_9

Steam boiler summer temp

Wild Bill,
Thats the BEST thing you can do for a "cold start" boiler.
What fuel you "waste" will be made up real quick by keeping heat exchanger as clean as possible! not to mention keeping the boiler around allot longer. And as far as fuel use about 10 to 15 gallons in most homes. With that said I put them at around 110 to 120 degrees, you need to check because where and what type aquastat(well/strap-on)will sense different. All you need to due is keep boiler temp above room dew point to keep boiler dry and make your service person happy too. I agree with Dale and Firedragon but I also know what happens in life see it every year with plugged boilers with nothing but muck! Unless you make sure things are done at the right time I say do it. Hope this helps John@Reliable