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How to tell a steam boiler from a hot water boiler

John Ketterman
John Ketterman Member Posts: 187
If people on this site can tell just by looking at the photo, what does it say about the 'professionals' who saw the actual system and couldn't tell what it is? They are incompetent a--holes who should be drummed out of the trade. Please don't give them any money. Check the "Find a professional" listings on this site.

PS If it were a steam system, you would probably know it if you live in the house.

Comments

  • Dyvim
    Dyvim Member Posts: 2


    Ok, dumb question: How do I tell if my house's boiler and heating system is hot water or steam? I'm confused because I've had 3 plumbers in for estimates to replace my boiler - 1 says it is steam, 1 says it is hot water, and the 3rd wasn't certain but thought it was hot water.
    I'd always thought it was hot water, but I want to be certain.

    My house has an old cast iron Ideal Redflash boiler from the American Radiator Company (which changed names in 1929 the year our house was built, so I'm pretty sure this is the house's original boiler) that I believe burned coal originally but now burns oil. There is no sight glass on the boiler, which makes me think it is hot water, but I also
    can't find any expansion tank, which makes me wonder (I've checked all closets, attic, etc. - where could it be hidden?). The psi on the system is around 15, which also makes me think it is hot water (too
    high for residential steam). There is no circulatory pump - it's a gravity system. The radiators around the house are all old cast iron 2-pipe jobs.

    How can I figure this out for sure?

    TIA
  • Robert O'Brien
    Robert O'Brien Member Posts: 3,559
    That's

    Gravity hot water.I like the through the door firing but I think you should consider a new boiler

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  • kevin coppinger_4
    kevin coppinger_4 Member Posts: 2,124
    sound like....

    I would keep looking for a good contractor. If they don't know what you have how can they begin to replace it right...gravity replacements/conversions can be tricky....kpc

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  • that a

    That a hot water gravity system... Please keep looking for the right boiler professial, don't call forced air company to do boiler work.. Yes, it can be done but, must pipe the new boiler in one way.. The right way..
  • Steamhead (in transit)
    Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688
    These guys are right

    it's gravity hot water. The expansion tank may be in the basement, or there may not be one at all (which is dangerous!).

    My house used to have that type of boiler. A new one will be much more efficient. The circulator must be sized properly to mimic the gentle gravity flow.

    Check the cost per BTU of oil and gas in your area. Be sure to include all the taxes and fees the gas company doesn't want you to know about. There are boilers out there that can be fired with either fuel, this is something to consider.

    I think it's time to check the Find a Professional page of this site.

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  • Jerry_15
    Jerry_15 Member Posts: 379


    Get a fourth opinion, someone who knows the trade. I agree it's hot water, but the rads would have told you that alone. Time for a new boiler. Good luck
  • ttekushan_2
    ttekushan_2 Member Posts: 57
    heat helps's section on hot water

    Here. Check it out!

    www.heatinghelp.com/heating_howcome1.cfm

    Sorry. don't quite know how to linkafy it. Copy 'n paste.

    -Terry
  • Edward A. (Ed) Carery
    Edward A. (Ed) Carery Member Posts: 138
    Gravity HW Oil Boiler

    Dyvim,

    The guys have all been right on point. That is a gravity hot water system.

    The boiler is an OLD, hand fired, coal boiler that was converted to use fuel oil. That Beckett burner probably has a fairly good COMBUSTION efficiency, however, the actual overall efficiency of that old converted boiler is well below that of newer equipment.

    In comparison to a boiler designed from the ground up for oil, the flu passages inside that coal boiler are huge, to accommodate the fly ash from a coal fire. However, even if it is baffled, the oversized flu passages makes the heat transfer process inside your boiler very inefficient.

    One thing I would question is, how old is your fuel oil storage tank? You many consider factoring that into your overall decision as to what fuel to use. If your tank is old, that too should be part of your conversion.

    Also, if someone walks into your basement and, at a glance, does not recognize that system as Gravity HW, show them the door. The guys are correct, converting that to FHW will take skill and experience that all do not possess.

    Good Luck,

    Ed Carey
  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,232
    for the people who may have a steam boiler....

    when you look at the boiler you will usually see a sight glass with water in it and a fancy gizmo that looks like a pig tail. *~/:)

    that wont generally be seen on a water boiler ...

  • Jerry_15
    Jerry_15 Member Posts: 379


    Now that's way too easy Weez. Let them suffer.
  • S Ebels
    S Ebels Member Posts: 2,322
    A little advice

    Don't call the guy back that says it's steam. Please!

    Nor should you call the guy that wasn't sure. See where I'm headed with this?

    You would do well to replace the old thing even considering it still "works". A properly sized, modern three pass boiler with a good control strategy and correct circulation will probably save you a minimum of 25-40% on your oil bills. We seen it/done it many times. For the ultimate in savings with your old iron system, look for a boiler that will directly take low water temps without a mixing valve or other boiler protection.

  • Jerry_15
    Jerry_15 Member Posts: 379


    Yes new boiler time. Nobody wants to spend money patching these old energy hogs anymore. I've found expansion tanks in the attic on these (which I always drain and cap the feed pip[e to, sometimes they're too hard to get out) and put a regular one in the equipment room. I've also seen a few with an open tank and ball-cock fill valve in the attic. Real disaster potential there.
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