vaporstat versus pressuretrol

Dan_29

Does it make any sense (in cost and/or energy savings) to change a pressuretrol to a vaporstat on my one-pipe gas steam boiler?

I recently had a new steam boiler installed and have changed out the vents, insulated the pipes and insulated and caukled the house walls. The boiler came assembled with a pressuretrol.

I understand that lower steam system pressure(a vaporstat allows) in a heating system, will save money. I just do not know if the savings will be worth the cost. The most recent prices I noticed for a pressuretrol is $70 and a vaportstat $248. How much in annual savings dollarwise of percentagewise could I expect if I installed a Vaporstat and what would the payback time be in years before I broke even or noted cost savings after initial investment? I did a "Wall Search" and "Googled" this question and found no results.

Dan

Brad White_143

There is something

about operating a steam system on ounces of pressure rather than pounds that has a certain appeal to me.... It has been years since I lived with a steam system (and it was a 1-3 psi poor operation before I had a clue from Dan Holohan and friends)...


But you know what? If I had a steam system today and with what I learned here, I would get one knowing that I am squeezing a few more BTU's my way, running more quietly and accurately.

Will it pay back? Someday, probably. But in the meantime, the difference of $180 is paid only once.... just go find a gauge that reads in ounces with a good 5-inch dial and life with steam cannot get much better than that.

More altruistic than financial, that is my opinion.

Dan_29

Thanks for your input Brad.

I guess I can justify the expense by considering it as a contribution to my new hobby--tinkering with the boiler. My spouse (of course) calls it "playing around" with the boiler and suggests someting else to do--like painting the house. Perhaps I should look for a condo in Florida or maybe find a girlfriend who is a steamhead.

Dan

Unknown

where? where!

Where one can find a steamhead gal? A new personal post for matchmaking steamheads?

will smith_4

controls

Dan-Before you decide to get a vaporstat to try to operate your system in ounces, you have to make sure your piping/equipment is designed to do it. The system piping dictates the pressure you need.

Steamhead (in transit)

In most cases

you can distribute steam in a one-pipe system with just a few ounces, if your main vents are right.

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Steamhead (in transit)

The best you'll probably find

is one who will accompany you to industry gatherings, boiler plant tours etc. I'm extremely lucky, The Lovely Naoko will do so.

This was the day before Wetstock 4, as we were getting ready for the Burnham tour. Ron Jr. is between Dan and The Lovely Marianne. The Lovely Nadine Lessard is between TLM and TLN.

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