two one pipe staeam systems alongside each other?

ch352 · September 2011

hi

I'm trying to zone a one pipe steam system, making the upper levels and lower levels of my house 2 separate zone's, by installing a 2nd one pipe system near (-along side-) all the original "one pipe system" and using the new pipes to heat up the lower level radiators and keeping the older pipes as they are for the upper levels.

now i was told that this is not done: "you cannot put 2 separate steam systems in one house along side each other" but he did not explain why?? so I'm wondering if this is true? or is this guy just not willing to do a steam system but rather hot water system?

which in my case a hot water system will probably be much more costly and surly more damage to my ceiling's and some other inconveniences.

any input on this would be very helpful

thanks

Tim_Hodgson · September 2011

You can make a zoned steam system,

Install a vacuum breaker on the boiler. Do not allow condensate to collect on the system side of a closed zone valve. Do you have a condensate pump? If you have a gravity return, put a check valve in each zones return.

Good Luck,

Tim Hodgson

JStar · September 2011

...

You can put a separate steam boiler for every room in the house if you want to.

Sounds like you shouldn't have a problem separating the levels in the house. You just want to be very particular about piping the new main and radiator run-outs. You'll also need to replace the existing boiler because it will now be oversized by a great amount.

JStar · September 2011

Can't edit.

EDIT:

You only want to run a new steam main? Not a whole new boiler?

That's fine as well. Like Tim said, you can use zone valves that have condensate drips on them. A few more rules to follow, but effective.

two one pipe staeam systems alongside each other?

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