Replacing existing steam system- hoping t get some opinions and advice

Richardson

Where are you located? There are a lot of Richardson systems in NJ and PA that we service. There are more options than you think. The key to operting a successful Richardson system is INCREDIBLY LOW pressures. 3-5 ounces or less. It's the perfect system to use a 2-stage gas valve on. The near-boiler piping should be better than what the book recommends to ensure dry steam. If the original air eliminator is still there, you may even be able to run on a vacuum.



I would also steer clear of any kind of mechanical pumping device and rely on gravity returns.

Feed Tankitis

You see a lot of feed tanks installed for multiple reasons.

1.  Many contractors don't understand gravity return, the think in terms of 2 psi and the water won't go back into the boiler.

2.  Low water content on some boilers combined with large systems in large building sometimes cause a delay in condensate returning to the boiler.  A feed tank rectifies that problem by keeping the boiler water at the right level.  Your little residential system would not have that problem unless you got clogged up return pipes, in which they need to be cleaned out anyway.

3.  Adding in a feed tank raises the price and profit of the install.  They will have a markup on the tank, and they make a profit margin an the labor as well.  Little  motivation to sell you less when they can sell you more.  Let's see....  we could propose a feed tank or a vaporstat. (you gotta have one or the other).  Let's propose the feed tank at about 10 times the cost.

4.  Most of all, contractors tend to do things they way they have done in the past.  We are all creatures of habit.  So easy to do some thing that you've done before and so hard to do anything for the first time.  This could be an opportunity for your contractor to learn a new trick!



JStar's suggestion for a 2-stage set up is very wise advice.  It will make the system run very smooth.  I also strongly recommend that.