Single Pipe Steam Heat

Jon_15

I am staying in my great grandmothers house which just had its steam heat boiler replaced and many of the pressure relief valves replaced also. The nights are getting cold and we noticed that the boiler is turning on in about 5 minute cycles. The house is not heating that well and thru experimentation I losened the pressure valve on one of the registers. Air went hissing out and the unit started to warm up. I then went to others and did the same thing leaving the valve partially loose. Now the registers do not seem to be warming up. Should I tighten the valves back up and only open them when I want heat?

The HVAC contractor replaced the old metal valves with ones that say "Hoffman Speciality, Italy" with a manual arrow to the left, Automatic to the right.

Thank you for any information

Brad White_9

What you are dealing with are air vents, Jon

Air vents are crucial for if air cannot escape, steam cannot fill the radiators. They STOP the escape of steam and allow air to go back in to fill the vacuum when the steam condenses. Do not leave them loose.

Cycling is "normal" for steam boiler operation. Once started, they respond to pressure.

The vents may be plugged, the boiler may not have water left due to escaped steam. See too it that they are in snuggly and vertical. See if the boiler is running at all. If in doubt call a heating professional.


By the way, how lucky are you to have a Great Grandmother! Is she one of your parents' grandmothers or is she just a garden-variety grandmother who has done something extraordinary?

bb_7

check the library

Check the library for info on 1 Pipe Steam systems. Then click on Find a Pro for you local area to get the system tuned up.

bb

Jon_15

When I said loose.. I did not mean littearly falling out, but about a quarter turn from tight. the end of the cap has turning to the right for automaic and to the left for manual. When I turned it to the left air started escaping and the register heated up. (due to steam) these are new valves that were installed when the HVAC guy installed the new boiler. But speaking with him, this is the ONLY steam heating system he has ever worked on. (and is the only HVAC guy in the area)

I just want to be sure that it is alright for them to be on the manual setting. I also wonder if they are even the correct valves for this steam system.

Thanks again. and Yep.. this is my great grandmothers house. She died in 63 but we kept the house in the family. I am the 5th generation of owners. (we have owned it since 1883)

John_102

While you're meandering around the website,

scope out our host's books - I'd suggest We Got Steam Heat! and The Lost Art of Steam Heat. You'll enjoy the read & be a happier homeowner.

midway_2

vents

Question, are Hoffman vents made in Italy?

Steamhead (in transit)

I was just gonna ask that

Jon, can you take a pic of these vents? I have a feeling they're those hygroscopic units, which as far as I'm concerned have no place on a steam system.

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Unknown

only one in the area?

Glad to hear the house still in the family, however, the only hvac guy in the area? Where's that at?

Jon_15

The house is in Dayton Washington

a small farming town of about 2000 people.

Jon_15

Pictures of the vents

Here are the pictures of teh vents.. as you can see on the part that I removed there is a pin that actually presses a relief bering inside of the part that is attached to the heater. when totally tight (or Automatic acording to the markings) it seals tight.. losen a little it alows air out. losen alot and it blocks the air again. Right now I have them about a quarter turn out that is letting air escape. No hissing, but with a feather I can see air is going out. Think these are right for this system?

Steamhead (in transit)

Just like I thought

there's part of your problem.

Are all the radiators on each floor about the same size?

"Steamhead"

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Jon_15

Radiator size

Most are the same size.. with a few that are shorter (yet longer)

So you think these are for Water sytems, not steam? What parts would you suggest and any idea where I can get some. We are going to be in the house for a month and I would like to have the system running correctly before winter.

Most are 12 fin with a few 10 fin ones. attached are a couple photos of them.

Steamhead (in transit)

I'd use

the Hoffman #40, Gorton #5 or Vent-Rite #11 on those rads.

Have you looked to see if you have vents at the ends of your steam mains? You should.

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Jon_15

what is the risk of

using the other ones?