Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Rads heat when using shower

Options
JohnCT
JohnCT Member Posts: 35
in Strictly Steam
I have an oil fired boiler that heats my water and a single pipe steam radiator system. The thermostat is off but the radiators have started heating whenever I use a lot of hot water, like taking a shower. Any ideas?

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,287
    Options
    Check the aquastat. It is intended that it should turn the boiler off when the water temperature reaches 160 to 180, keeping the boiler from making steam, but still allowing it to be hot enough to make hot water. It's probably failed closed...
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    HVACNUTethicalpaul
  • JohnCT
    JohnCT Member Posts: 35
    Options
    Thanks, Jamie. I’m kind of new to this. Is that a pretty easy job or should I call a guy?
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,524
    Options
    @JohnCT
    I would call someone. It's either a bad aquastat, or aquastat setting is too high (you can check this, I wouldn't set it higher than 180), or there could be mud or sludge around the aquastat well (sensing element).
  • JohnCT
    JohnCT Member Posts: 35
    Options
    Thanks, EBERATT. I have a service contract with my oil company. I’ll let them come out and bang on it with a 4 pound hammer like they do for most things.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
    Options
    JohnCT said:

    Thanks, EBERATT. I have a service contract with my oil company. I’ll let them come out and bang on it with a 4 pound hammer like they do for most things.

    You can get better service than that. Where are you located?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • JohnCT
    JohnCT Member Posts: 35
    Options
    Southeast Connecticut. Know anyone?
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,835
    Options
    At the top of the page you'll see "click here to find a contractor in your area".
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,287
    Options
    HVACNUT said:

    At the top of the page you'll see "click here to find a contractor in your area".

    No, actually... but don't be afraid to look out of state -- eastern Mass. or Rhode Island. Some of the guys will work in Connecticut.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England

Categories