Questions from Steam Newbie

thfurnitureguy_4

John, Here is what the wood guy knows. The time it takes to close the main vents is a masure of how well you have vented your systems mains. Touch the top of the cold boiler pipes ( the main at the boiler) start the boiler and let the pipe at the boiler get steam hot. Start the clock. With the boiler running, go to the main vents and feel them. When they stop blowing air and are hot and closed stop the clock. I hear that 1 to 2 min. is good. Fast venting prevents the radiators warming up in a wave, as the heat passes down the main pipe. If your mains are taking longer than that to close you may need to add more vents. Pressure: If you replaced your boiler I hope you did an EDR calculation for your existing, and your added radiators. The boiler should match the amount of sq.ft of radiators you have ( to much boiler and you build pressure before you satisfy your T-stat). Radiator vents clicking: this is how they work. The vents looks for heat from the steam. when steam reaches the vent it closes "boink" when the radiator starts to cool it opens and lets in more steam. Than hiss and boink again it will do this as long as the boiler is making steam. As the system cools it will click and and sometimes knock as the pipes shrink back to their cold size. Its kind of cool to hear a big empty building cycle through the heat cycle, Its like a symphony. It's just the dead men telling you its working. Time your main vents and add up your radiators EDR (there are tables in Dans books to identify your radiators) your boiler has a NET I=B=R rating in sq ft It should match what your SQ. FT. of radiators add up to. The net I=B=R has already taken into account pick up factor for pipes. If I had to guess you may have a boiler that is somewhat oversized. Do the math and post what you find Good luck. Its kind of fun isn't it?

John Van Hoesen

A Few Questions...

Hi all -

I replaced my boiler this summer, piped in a few new radiators, replaced all the air vents and replaced all the radiator shut off valves. I'm new to steam and have been 'starting' up the system on and off the last few days (been a little chilly, but really just getting a feel for the system). I have a few questions, just trying to figure out if the system is working properly:

1. How long should it take for a typical residential steam system to heat up? I've been averaging about 15 minutes before a 1/2 of the radiator fins are warm in each room and 20ish for the entire radiators. Is this normal? I don't know what to expect.

2. I have Dan's "steam problems" book and have read up on main vents. I put them in and I think the system is still building up pressure to the point that it cuts out. Shouldn't all the air be out after 15 minutes?

3. I don't have any 'panting' vents, but after the system shuts off I hear a clicking sound and it sounds like air is being sucked back in, this makes sense, just want to make sure it's also normal.

4. Is it normal for the vents to open after they have closed? I have one that opens, lets out some air and then closes again. Not often, just occasionally.

Sorry for the questions, I know they must seem silly, but I really don't know what to expect from this system. Thanks again for any input or feedback.

cheers
John