Steam to water conversion

Mike T., Swampeast MO

The more generously the rads were originally sized and the more thermal improvements made, the lower the needed temperatures and the higher the efficiency. Thermostatic radiator valves on the rads will be a great addition (both for comfort and efficiency) if budget allows.

RADSTEVE_2

Steam to water conversion

I have a customer that is going to covert a steam/cast iron radiator system to water. He wants to use a munchkin or knight boiler due to venting issues. He understands that he won't get high efficiency. His main question is after he flushes out the system will a standard wye strainer keep the debris out of the boiler?

Guy_6

Yes

Yes, a Y strainer will be fine. As for the efficiencies, your customer will probably be pleasantly surprised with what they get out of the Munchkin. All of that cold mass generates some great condensing. More condensing is more efficient.

Steamhead (in transit)

Steve, your customer could be inviting trouble

show him this before he proceeds:

http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm?Id=22

I've seen some conversion jobs that have turned out to be lawyer's dreams. My company does not perform, or recommend, this type of conversion. We find that it's much easier and more cost-effective to fix steam systems rather than convert them.

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

Unknown

unable to open

Unable to open the "letter/file"... Steamhead, I was at a meeting regarding changeover from steam to hot water at the convent, the caretaker did a really hack job and beyond repairable... I'm looking into making it hot water with trv system.... Am I afraid? Nope, I did it at the 1st 18 holes golf course clubhouse next door, energy usages cut more than half, that was before I installed the 2 stages tekmar control ! I did more converisons and of course, there's alway a fair warning what u may have to do afterward, all minor stuffs...

Steamhead (in transit)

You have to paste the link

into your browser's location bar. If you keep having trouble, click on "Hot Tech Topics" at the top of this page, then "Converting from steam to hot-water heat?".

And you must have gotten lucky on those jobs. There are several of these conversions around Baltimore that I know of, that have constant leak problems. Once you work on one of these you're married to it- which is why we stay away from them. I'm surprised one particular contractor hasn't ended up in court- they turned a Vapor system into a hot-water Swiss cheese and walked away.

We have steam customers where we've dropped their fuel consumption by over 30% (and counting). And yes, one in particular was told (by someone else) that their ailing system couldn't be repaired or improved. We proved that guy wrong.

It is possible to build a steam boiler that will exceed 90% efficiency. They do it on larger models in Canada (Gasmaster) and the UK (Hoval) and these are just the ones I know of. American boiler makers are really dragging their feet on this issue.

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

Dave Yates (PAH)

We have done a number of conversions

As Steamhead notes, there exists the potential for leaks that went unnoticed with steam. We saw that once in a home where the emitters were all cast iron baseboard. Every section leaked where hairline cracks existed on the back where oval air openings were cast along the top third. The owner had a knucklehead "contractor" who evidently utilized the barn-door method for sizing the steam boiler. We suggested installing a replacement steam boiler of the right size, but they wanted it converted. Cost them a bundle.

On the other hand, we've converted many without a single problem. Our own three-story office and apartment building among them. Dramatic savings can be achieved if a mod-con boiler is utilized with standing CI rads as their ability to be radiant emitters at low temps is outstanding.

If you move forward with a conversion, CYA (cover your ****-sets) by having the owners sign a doc outlining the potential risks that go along with such work.

A wye strainer is standard issue when we connect a mod-con to an older system - even if it was HW previously.

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