Old Steam Boiler- Help!

Dan Miller

I'm not sure where to begin so I'll just throw everything out there. My wife and I purchased our first home 2 1/2 years ago that has oil-fired steam boiler for heat. We've never had any problems with it, in fact we love it. However, the house has no insulation, that's one problem. Also, the boiler appears to be at least 40 years old. Also, we are converting attic to livable space and will need to add another 'zone'.
I recently learned of local Energy Star program that will do whole house audit, this is scheduled for this coming Friday. Also, learned that we are income-elegible for 'assistance' of up to 5k in matching funds for Energy Star improvements. Have already lined up home-equity loan for 15k to cover this and other costs associated with renovations. I'm doing most of the work myself, on a part-time basis. Would like to take advantage of grant program if possible.
To get some competing bids, I scheduled a couple other BPI-certified contractors to bid on system. First one saw asbestos on the pipes and turned right around and walked right out the door. Before he left he told me that there is not an oil-fired boiler on the market today that will meet Energy Star efficiency requirements, would have to switch to gas.
Second guy didn't seem as knowledgeable, but is not worried about the asbestos. Says I can convert to oil-fired hot water, use same radiators, and add baseboard heat in attic, with separate circulating pump. I'm not sure if he was fully qualified to make this recommendation, though. He seemed a little rough overall.

I just discovered this website today, and have already ordered "We Got Steam Heat!". Do any of you knowledgeable folks out there have any advice or comments for me? The company that I will most likely do the work with is coming Friday to do the actual audit and I would like to know more before they get here. They are CEO (Commission on Economic Opportunity) of Troy, NY, if anyone has heard of them. Also, current boiler is working just fine, and I haven't had time to frame out attic and insulate- will not be ready till next spring. Also when new baby #3 is due. We need the room. If system is working okay today, should I wait and learn more, maybe just get the house weather sealed and better insulated first? Help!

Steamhead

You have a lot on your plate there

but it's not as overwhelming as you think.

First, the asbestos: This must be removed by a licensed asbestos contractor before starting work on the heating system. Get recommendations for a contractor in your area. Then re-insulate the pipes with fiberglass, 1-inch thick.

Now you're ready to start work on the heat. First, is this a one-pipe or two-pipe system? You can tell by looking to see if there is only one pipe connected to each radiator.

Once we know what type of system it is, the next step is to do a heat-loss calculation on your projected attic room, and measure all the existing radiators and the sizes of the steam mains. This will tell us whether the existing system can handle the additional load.

It would be a good idea to insulate the rest of the house too. This will reduce the total amount of heat needed. If you do a heat-loss calculation after insulating, you may be able to move some radiators around, or maybe use them in the attic, if they end up being too big for the now-insulated rooms they're in.

I wouldn't try to convert that system to hot-water. It would have to run at 12 times the pressure of the steam system, which might make the pipes or radiators leak. And if it's a one-pipe system, you'd have to run all new return lines.

Hope this helps.

Alan(CaliforniaRadiant)Forbes

Sounds like

you've got a lot of projects on your hands; good luck.

First off, can you tell us if your steam system is a 1-pipe or 2-pipe system? Look at your radiators to see if they are connected to 1 or 2 pipes; if 2 pipes, is there a steam trap at the outlet?

If there's enough capacity in the boiler, I would think you could extend the piping to some attic radiators or you could even pipe some hot water radiators if you tap in below the boiler's water line.

Size the boiler and see if there's anything left over.





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Dan Miller

1-pipe system

One of the bedrooms didn't have a radiator in it-I later found it stashed away down in the basement. I hooked it back up- one pipe only. It never seemed to give off much heat, although it did sputter some and give off a bad smell.
I take it that I shouldn't be worried about the age of the boiler? The person who did the initial inspection before I bought the house said they're only supposed to last 20-30 years??

Mad Dog

Hi Dan

You would be smart to get bids from legitimate steam experts, which you can find at this site via, FIND A PROFESSIONAL. Trying to find a competent steam contractor will not be easy. Start here...stay with the steam Mad Dog

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Unknown

The idea I like the best

You suggested leaving the boiler in place while you learn about your choices. That seems to be a money making idea.

I've watched many folks come here, have several dialogs about some parts of a job, and the options just flowed out.

Do the insulation and building improvments first. Insulation doesn't cost; it pays.

Keep discussing your system here, as new aspects come to light, more suggestions flow.

I'll weigh in, too. Keep the steam, add hot water heat of some form to the new spaces, and we all can offer suggestions for control strategies. Change the boiler a little later in the project, if it holds out.

Noel

Hey Mad Dog, are you in the new house now?

Steamhead

Mad Dog's right

stay with the steam. That one radiator (or any others) not heating well, sputtering etc. can be fixed. Boilers will last for decades if properly maintained.

Tell us what boiler you have now. If it's new enough, we may be able to find an AFUE (annual efficiency) rating on it.

Dan Miller

I will dig up all the info I can when I get home tonight, and post it. I have some digital photos too that I can attach. Thanks for all the help so far!

Unknown

If it's unfeasible to run steam rads to the attic

a good option is using a tankless coil in the new boiler for a zone of hot water heat up there . I recommend the Burnham V8 or the Peerless ECT for steam . Both have coil ports and both meet Energy Star requirements . Good luck on the project .

Dan Miller

Facts and Figures

The Boiler is a GM Delco, which is a brand name that was discontinued after 1964 according to another website I found. I have attached photos below which hopefully you can see. It looks to me like it has been patched and repaired at some point in time.
The information stamped on the plate below the chimney is:

Service # 4322006
Btu/hr water 84,800
Steam sq. ft. 355
Max firing rate gal/hr 1.10
Model # DB305DSA
Serial # 2709

My house is a 1-story bungalow, 1,100 sq. ft. The attic renovations will add about 500-600 sq. ft. of heated space.