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One pipe steam duel fuel

SMA
SMA Member Posts: 2
I just caught my typo-dual versus duel-but, if you think about it, maybe it should be called duel. Thank you for responding. I am looking at oil as well. Actually, I am considering biomass but I am afraid the price of that will go up as demand increases. I am located in Minnesota so solar is not an option yet. My concern goes beyond my own situation. My house is over 100 years old and because there are so few options for me, I know there are few options for anyone living in an old house. What will happen to the infrastructure of cities, as old houses are abandoned for new. What will happen to the craftsmanship of my building as heating alternatives are undertaken and metal floor board heating is installed or converted to forced air for geothermal or pellot furnaces. What will happen to the beauty of my original waved glass windows as I am forced to install vinyl double panes. I have new storm windows (I saved one original set that were made using wooden pegs and no nails). I could consider heating with wood, which I find curious because that is so pre-industrial. It seems to me we have not come very far. I wish I was in Baltimore. It would be nice to talk with someone who undertood steam heat. No one seems to want to work with it anymore even though 2/3rds of the homes in my city are one or two pipe steam.

Comments

  • SMA
    SMA Member Posts: 2
    Duel fuel elcctric boiler

    Looking for information on an electric boiler that would work with one pipe steam radiator system for duel fuel. Old house, currently have natural gas boiler for steam. I have not been able to find anyone who makes a system for steam. Cannot continue using natural gas because of price, short of tearing out my heating system, don't know what to do. My one pipe steam radiator system is over 100 years old and still works like a charm. Terrible waste and shame to replace such a work of art.
  • Steamhead (in transit)
    Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688
    Why not

    use oil? This would, among other things, allow you to choose your supplier.

    Compare the cost per BTU. In many areas, oil is cheapest in this regard. The usual progression is oil, natural gas, propane and electricity.

    A modern oil-fired boiler will NOT soot up if installed and adjusted properly. Ask me how I know that. And some manufacturers support changing their oil-fired units to gas firing, which would be useful if oil gets more expensive per BTU.

    Coal-fired boilers are still made, and current models burn a lot cleaner than the old ones. But they're still higher-maintenance than oil or gas.

    Don't forget, once the boiler has generated the steam its job is done. From that point, the system must move the steam to the radiators. It's possible to realize significant savings in this area, with the help of a good steam man.

    Also, if your house is 100 years old it could probably use upgraded insulation, weatherstripping, storm windows etc. Think of your house as a bucket with a hole in it. You pour heat into the bucket (house) and it leaks out. Try to make the hole as small as you can.

    Try the Find a Professional page of this site to locate a good steam man near you. If you're in the Baltimore area, contact me.

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