which control for steam with indirect and programmable tstat

Tim Gardner

Thank you for the clear explanation of a concept that had eluded me. That makes perfect sense.

Tim Gardner

I'm shopping for a new boiler setup and I'm trying to figure out which control I need.

Which control is best for a 1-pipe steam system with an indirect. I want priority for the indirect. On my current system, I have a programmable thermostat which changes the temperature appropriately several times per day and I'm happy with it.

I don't know if I need outdoor reset because the concept is not clear to me.

I've read numerous recommendations here for the Tekmar 260 which has priority for the indirect and outdoor reset (which I don't understand), but I have not seen it recommended in the context of a steam system, nor whether it helps when you use a programmable thermostat. I guess I just don't understand the concepts.

Pointers towards the right references would be appreciated.

Ron R

Boiler set-up

I can't think of a practical use for Outdoor re-set on a steam boiler. Outdoor re-set automatically changes the supply water temp on a hot-water system in relation to the outdoor temp so that on a colder day you will have hotter water available to radiatiors, and on a not-so-cold day your water temp will be lower to conserve energy and possibly reduce temperature swing in the room. With a steam system you are not able to "vary" the temperature of the steam going to the radiators. As for the"in-direct"- is that a coil within the steam boiler ? or do you have in mind to use a separate in-direct tank type unit- which to my knowledge can only be used with hot water instead of steam ?
Programmable thermostats work - but make sure you adjust the "cycle rate" to suit your steam system as most come out of the box configured for a cycle rate more suited to forced hot air heat systems.
Make sure your controls include a low-water cut-off control (usually supplied with the boiler) and also an automatic water-feeder that matches wityh the low-water cut-off control (usually not included with the boiler.

Al Letellier_9

steamcontrol

You can't reset with steam, Tim. The concept of outdoor reset has to do with hot water heating and raising or lowering system temp in accordance with the outdoor temp. You still have to get water above 212* to make steam. What you can do with steam is cycle control. Tekmar makes a control that limits the time a steam boiler will run based on outdoor temp. The warmer it is, the less the boiler will run, etc. The control is a TEKMAR 269. It can be used in conjunction with the standard controls that come with any steam boiler. If you go with the TEKMAR, do away with the programable stat. The house will be more comfortable as it will be evenly heated all day, and you will save a lot more with the TEKMAR than with the stat. They don't always work well together.

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