is 6psi too much

tom_82

Thanks, It seems like the more I learn the more worried I am about our system. To give you an Idea of what is going on. We had a main burst because the blow out above a trap hadn't been taken care of for years. When the system came back on and started banging the super opened the direct water line to the boiler and flooded the system. When I walked around with him to blow out the system he smiled and nodded his head and said YEAH that's good steam coming out of those vents (the ones that never shut off) Tenants/owners don't want anyone touching their rads...on and on it goes. Personally, I don't want to spend more in heating costs wich drive up my condo fees and I think if we can balance the system we might be able to cut some of the costs. for starters if the cut off psi is down to 2 or 3 I understand the boiler would be on 2 to 3 times less, right?
anywayz, if I had some Pats tickets, I'd send em to you.
thanks again
What a great web site this is!

TOm

Do you reccomend any particular air vent for the mains?

tom_82

is 6psi too much?

I just got some of Dan's books and have been talking to HVAC guys at a college where I work. I live in a thiry unit building, built in 1930. We have steam heat. Presently we have a cut in pressure on a thermotrol at less than a 1/4% and a cut out of 6psi. From what I'm reading,thats too much, Right? and our air vent mains never shut down the hiss away at an alarming rate. That's not right either is it? But We should adjust the pressure before changing vents, RIght?
am I on track?
DOes anyone know of a good steam contractor in Boston?
I am on the board of trustees for this building and am trying to learn as much as possible, because I am going to see over the heat and I am hoping to get the system in better working order, No one presently seems to know what's goinng on, including our Super.
Thanks
TOm

Al Letellier_9

too much pressure

Sure sounds like it's way too high for a building of that description. You should start cutting the pressure down until the furthest radiator from the boiler stops getting steam, then turn it up just enough to get that rad hot. Any vent that is hissing steam all the time is a dead vent. Most vents have a max pressure setting and it wouldn't take long to blow one out with too high a pressured setting. Start at 3 PSI and see what happens, then lower it until you get it right. We have a 100,000 sq. ft building with 250 steam units/rads and we heat it with 3 PSI 'cause that what it takes. Every system is different, but you're on the right track. I'm sure someone from your area will respond. I'm in Maine and a little too far away.....unless you've got Pats tickets.....

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Al Letellier_9

steam system

Don't worry about the Pats tics...would rather watch them from my easy chair. Hope I was of assistance. The boiler will run less at lower pressure. Fix those vents and it will run even less. Most any brand, properly sized will do the job. Use a lot of Dole and Vent rites up here as that's what's mostly available.

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Steamhead (in transit)

Tom, to size your main vents

measure the length and diameter of each steam main, and also tell us what vent is on there now.

Depending on the size of the mains, you might have to have a pro install some serious venting to balance the system. For an example of this check out our Find a Professional ad at the link below.

There are many good steam men in the Boston area. Use Find a Professional to locate one.

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Unknown

Pats tixs....

Pats tixs, don't need them, Bears will take care of them..... Send some Bruins tixs, .... Hope u find the steam pros...