steam heating

FRANK_24

Fiberglass pipe insulation is the answer. It is available in three foot split lengths with varring thickness. Usually 1 1/2" thick for heating piping and 1" for domestic hot water. You can use a serated knife or small saw to cut to fit and miter the 90* & 45* joints. For "T" fittings, you simply cut a round hole in the insulation 1/2 in each of the split sides. The insulation is supplied with a white self adhesive tape to cover the joints. Don't be afraid to do it yourself, after all it's in the cellar, not your living room. If anyone makes a remark about how it looks, you should show 'em the way out. Don't forget to use a mask, gloves, and cover up your arms with a long sleeved shirt. This stuff is most iritable, rinse off with cold water first before washing up afterward. Take it from me, don't scratch the itch, rinse with cold water. Good luck.

b_2

insulation

helloo.. just writing with the hope that someone could tell me if there is pipe insulation to replace the asbestos wrap that was covering my steam mains. we just bought this house a year ago and the previous owner had all of the wrapping removed but not replaced.i have a nasty suspicion that this was the cause(or one of them anyway) of our horrendous oil cost last winter. any help is greatly appreciated.

chuck_6

You should get fiberglass insulation. It comes in 3 foot sections. Go to a heating supply place instead of Home Depot. The insulation should be at least 1 inch thick, which means you will likely have to double wrap it.

Also check your vents on the mains and radiators. If Steamhead replies, listen to him. For vents, speak to Ken Kunz at Gorton. His number is (908) 276-1323. Proper venting is very, very important and that can save you a lot of money.

Guy_6

Steam

There is a book available titled "The Lost Art of Steam Heating", and it truly is a lost art. There are a few simple things that might cut your fuel bills. Keep in mind that all of our fuel bills are currently outrageous:

1) maintain the proper water level in the boiler- Too little and you won't develop enough steam, too much and it's akin to filling a pasta pot to boil water for a single cup of tea. A good mechanical contractor, or possibly your fuel supplier can advise you there.

2) Check, and possibly replace the vents on your radiation. Those vents let air out so that steam can enter. If they are too open, too much steam will vent there and not be available for other parts of the system. If those vents are blocked-no air out, no steam in, NO HEAT. There are also some vents on the system lines themselves, that help to allow the re-condensed (water) steam back to the boiler. Those are a bit more complicated. Try the simple stuff first.

I am sure that many other great comments will follow.

GW

Steamhead

Thanks Chuck

for the kind words.

"b", you should check to see if there are vents at the ends of your steam mains. This should be pretty easy to do with the insulation off. Sometimes the vents are on pieces of pipe sticking up 6 to 24 inches above the main (yes guys, I actually have seen them that high).

To make sure the vents are sized properly, measure the length and diameter of each of your steam mains. If there are vents on them tell us what make and model they are. We can tell you what you need.

If there are no vents at the ends of your mains, you need to have them added. This will get the air out of the main and fill it with steam in about a minute, measured from when the boiler starts making steam. Then all the radiators will get steam at about the same time, which increases comfort and saves fuel.

When the vents are done, insulate the pipes, make any adjustments to the radiator vents that are needed, and enjoy your much-improved system.