Old Boiler/New Owner

PC

Okay, I'm a "new owner" of an "old boiler. Yes, I ordered Dan's books today and I'm thrilled to have found this site. My house was built in 1850 and has seen many incarnations over the years. I'm trying to get some background on the current heating system which is a single pipe steam system fired by a US Radiator Corp series 21-45 retrofitted with a Budman model S-25 gas burner.
Radiators are a mix of decorative to "plain janes" depending on the rooms.
All are from American Radiator as far as I can tell.
The airvents are a mix of adjustable and non-adj from Hoffman and Dole.
I want to get up to speed on what I can expect from this adventure in HVAC.
Any insight for this "neophyte" would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Steamhead

Welcome to the world of Steam Heating!

The boiler, as far as I can tell, is your typical square sectional unit rated at 700 square feet of radiation when automatically fired, as yours is. These boilers were more efficient than some of their contemporaries, but newer boilers are more efficient than yours. That said, if you're not ready to replace it yet, it may be possible to baffle the boiler to slow the hot flue gases and make them give up more heat to the water. This is a job for a pro.

The mix of Hoffman and Dole radiator vents can work quite well as long as the vents are properly sized and/or adjusted. However, the most important venting issue to look at now is the vents on the ends of your steam mains. These must be sized to allow the air to be vented from each main in about a minute, measured from the time the boiler starts producing steam. Measure the length and diameter of each main and tell us what make and model of vent is on it- we can tell you what's needed.

Also, all steam-carrying pipes must be insulated. The heat loss from bare steam pipes is phenomenal, and unnecessary.

Try the Find a Professional page of this site to locate someone near you who can help you with your system. If you're in the Baltimore area, contact me!

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PC

Thanks

Steamhead...
Thanks for the advice!
The main vents are in pretty poor shape and I'm sure ready for replacement... judging by the hissing from the rad vents and their general appearance.
(see attached)
Yes, I'd like a new system... but I have just done all new plumbing and electric, new kitchen, bedroom renov... not to mention a new roof next week! Needless to say I'll need some more funds first.
I did check the professional listings on this site but there's no one within 70 miles of me. I'll have to get recommendations from neighbors.
I can't believe how great this site is however... it's my kind of info!
Thanks again!
PC

PC

Travel...

Frank,
Maybe I should forget about getting references from neighbors and check for travel expenses from Baltimore!
My wife's a great cook!
lol...
PC

Steamhead

Where

are you located?

Those vents are old Hoffman #4 units, which don't have much capacity. I'm sure the undersized risers under the vents contributed to their failure!

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PC

I'm in Howell, Michigan... full of old historic homes.
Lots of projects for those interested in turning a piece of history into their own.
Anyway, the info you've shared is greatly appreciated.
I'm ready to put new vents on this bad boy so I can get through winter, but I need some guidance on where to purchase, etc.
The mains are inch and a quarter with the Hoffman vents at 55" from the boiler feed on the back of unit. (See attached photos of boiler and mains.
front, side- with McDonnell & Miller #67 LWCO, and back view of boiler.)
Thanks again,
PC