Conservation Question

Joseph Nestlewood

As the new condo board president of a 12 unit building built between 1915 and 1920, I want to ensure that the association is conserving energy and keeping its gas bills as low as possible. The boiler for our radiator heating system is triggered by three temperature sensors in three different units. When the average of the three temperatures reaches the set temperature, the system shuts off. As I'm new to the position and radiator heat, I don't know many other details about the system, but my question is rather basic. I am wondering whether our gas bills are significantly affected, if the three unit owners who have sensors do not keep all of their radiators open? Thanks for your responses.

Ken_8

Your question suggests

You already have a handle on this issue.

Of course the three sampled apartments should have the radiation fully open and maximized with regard to output.

Anything less would fake out the system and make the place generally too warm - wasting energy. Depending on location and the system's other parameters, the fuel savings could be substantial if things were changed to the way you already suspected they should be.

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

Dale

Bld layout

The building and piping layout will determine if savings could be made. One thing that will save is indoor outdoor reset with warm weather cut off. The modern outdoor temp sensing controls do a good job keeping boiler water temp as low as possible. You could have a primary loop system where the runs to the units are able to be set up with their own zone valve and stat and the IO keep the main loop at the proper temp. How is the domestic water heated? If it's one heater there are more effecient ways now. How old is the equip? You may want to do research and plan a change the next time something needs to be replaced.

Steamhead

Joe, is this

a steam or hot-water system? Depending on your answer, there are different outdoor-reset controls available, and other modifications that can lower your fuel consumption.

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

bb_3

go to...

Find A Pro on this site to have someone take a look at your system. Your boiler should have annual maintence to ensure that it is in safe operating condition!

There are several things that can be done if needed:

1. Insulate the piping, let the heat go where you want it.
2. Improve the building envelope by replacing windows, doors, and caulking.
3. Install individual radiator control, Thermostatic Radiator Vavles. Take a look up the building when you are going home. Do you see windows opened? If so, that's money going right out the window!

Warm Regards,

bb

John Shea

On a similar note...

In a steam system, say you cut off 15-20% of the radiators in a building. Wouldn't that essentially be like running an 'over-sized' boiler?

That being said, what problems could potentially arise?