Do I need a heat exchanger?

Bill_60

We are replacing our old, inefficient steam boiler in connection with a house renovation. We are adding a family room on the first floor and bedroom directly above on the second floor. We have steam radiators in the old part of the house. Contractors are recommending baseboard hot water for the additions, so I would have both steam and hot water heat working from the same boiler. One contractor says I need a heat exchanger on the steam boiler for the new hot water zones, the other says all I need is a pump to take hot water from the bottom of the steam boiler and pump it through the baseboard pipes. Do I need the heat exchanger?

Bill de Jong

do i need a heat exchanger

Bill,

Yes, you do. Most reputable supply houses can help you with this. Under NO circumstances should you pump from the bottom (condensate) side of your boiler as has been suggested to you. Good Luck!

Unknown

another opinion

http://trainingroom.slantfin.com/articles/nm0304-1.html

http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm?Id=29

Noel