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steam pipes

?
? Member Posts: 4
in THE MAIN WALL
"How much more heat is lost from uninsulated steam pipes than insulated steam pipes?" Also, "What pipes of a one-pipe system will always have counter flow?"

Comments

  • Brad White
    Brad White Member Posts: 2,399
    Pipes

    1) An inch of fiberglass insulation will knock the bare pipe heat loss down to about 1/6th.

    (The first 1/2" will reduce it to about 1/4th as a point of comparison.)

    2) The risers or any vertical pipe for that matter will have counterflow. Any downward pitching pipe will have parallel flow.
    "If you do not know the answer, say, "I do not know the answer", and you will be correct!"



    -Ernie White, my Dad
  • Ken_40
    Ken_40 Member Posts: 1,310
    Brad's right!

    Further, all steam systems were designed to have insulated pipes. Many were un-insulated with the awareness of asbestos "issues."

    Those who chose to remove the asbestos, were unaware of the huge negative impact on system performance without it. The result? Poor efficiency, wasted fuel, banging and hammering, furthest rads starving for steam, increased wear factors on all piping and working components, poor system nalsnce, etc.

    Bottom line: There is nothing wrong with naked pipes that new 1" thick fiberglass insulation won't cure!
  • LJ_2
    LJ_2 Member Posts: 1
    Steam Heat TOO HOT in Apartment

    Hi...Just moved into a great apartment but the radiators get way too hot. I can turn them off...would it hurt the system if I should do that..there is no banging and the system seems to be quite if not overly efficient. I am on the top floor of the building.
    Thanks for your help
  • Norm Harvey
    Norm Harvey Member Posts: 684


    if the radiator is equipped with an operating adjustable air vent, you can close the vent a bit causing the radiator to heat slower and avoid overheating the room.

    The heat of the radiator itself can't really be controlled. There is 212 degree steam going into it. it possivle to cover the radiator with an enclosure that will not allow little fingers near the radiator.

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