Separating Steam System

MacPHJr · December 2010

I looked at a mutlifamily unit with one steam system that heats two units. The unit owners would like to separate the systems. There are two 2'' supply lines. One line supplies only the first floor unit and the other supply does only the second floor unit.

Can two boilers be installed? What problems may arise and what should I being doing my homework on?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Jamie Hall · December 2010

This is feasible

if a bit expensive. You would want to treat the two systems as being completely independent, for simplicity, in a setup like this. That means each has its own steam main, return(s). controls, near boiler piping, vents, the lot. There is some duplication involved in such a setup, but it would work well. If you are looking for each apartment to pay its own heat, then you'll either need really reliable run time or fuel flow meters on each boiler, or separate oil tanks or gas meters...

All of this assuming that there is room two install two boilers and still work around them.

Charlie from wmass · December 2010

One issue may be

getting a boiler small enough. If you trace the piping out and each floor has its own separate feed and return ( I am assuming a counter flow system) then no problem. Do two EDR's and make sure the chimney can handle the load. Or go with Burmham power vented boilers.

jpf321 · December 2010

perhaps investigate ...

these or something like these ...

http://www.istec-corp.com/btumeters.html

cost unknown, but i bet they outweigh the costs of installing and operating and maintaining a 2nd boiler.

jpf

Separating Steam System

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