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WiFi thermostat for steam system with programmable cycles

Snowman1990
Snowman1990 Member Posts: 23
in Thermostats and Controls

hello all, I am looking for a recommendation for a wifi thermostat that I can adjust the cycles on.

I have an old steam boiler (snowman) that is eating through oil because it cools down too much between cycles and uses a lot of oil to heat the water up again.

I know I need to eventually replace the whole system but I believe increasing frequency of cycles could help my case.

Thanks!

Comments

  • LRCCBJ
    LRCCBJ Member Posts: 824

    You can set the cycle time with a Tekmar 279. It's not wifi and it costs a fortune now.

    Dave in QCA
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 10,075
    edited February 2

    You are not going to see much savings by adjusting the cycle time. A BTU is the amount of energy that it takes to raise one pound of water one degree. if you do that once an hour for 30 minutes, or you run the burner 20 times per hour for 1.5 minutes. You are going to see the same usage within 1 to 2 percent. The only way to get the oil usage to go down is to move the burner up to the place where the dead man that designed that boiler wanted the flame to be located.

    That way the oil burner will operate at 80% efficiency in stead of 50% efficiency. (meaning only 20% of the flame's heat will be lost up the chimney). Now you are letting over 50% of the heat from that oil burner's flame get lost up the chimney. I guess there are not many old timers that are interested in that job now a days.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    delcrossvethicalpaul
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,872
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1839748#Comment_1839748

    This.

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • Snowman1990
    Snowman1990 Member Posts: 23

    @EdTheHeaterMan or @delcrossv do either of you know anyone in the MA or RI area who could help me move that burner up? Thanks

  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,872
    edited February 3

    @Charlie from wmass

    Link to @EdTheHeaterMan s conversion

    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/199866/need-help-with-this-old-snowman-boiler
    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 10,075
    edited February 3

    This is the link to my actual comment if @Charlie from wmass is interested at all. https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1834880/#Comment_1834880

    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1834880#Comment_1834880

    finished product might look like this:

    Untitled Image

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    delcrossv
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,404

    While what Ed said would save fuel. I am not the person to do that. With current prices of materials and labor it would be throwing good money after bad. If you are interested in a new boiler please contact me, we can discuss your options. Cycles is not going to save you much. Adding a vaporstat and improving venting will do more. The benefit is the vaporstat and venting can be used with the new boiler and won't be wasted funds.

    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
    EdTheHeaterMandelcrossvHVACNUT
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,872

    @Snowman1990 ,DIY and just have someone setup the burner is still an option if replacement is not in the cards now.

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
    EdTheHeaterMan

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