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Wanting to determine age of American Radiator Company boiler system.

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southsider444
southsider444 Member Posts: 2
in Radiant Heating

I have a 2-family rental property that was built in 1926. Both rental units in the property are serviced by old American Radiator Company boilers and radiators. I have owned the property for 12 years, and have had no problems or issues with the boilers. I would like to determine the age of the boilers. I have attached a couple of pictures of one of the boilers.

20251219_101641.jpg
20251219_101733.jpg

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 18,208

    I don't see any unions in the pipes coming from the boiler, so I'd say it was original to the house. It was originally fired by coal, then converted to gas.

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    bburdsouthsider444mattmia2
  • southsider444
    southsider444 Member Posts: 2

    That's amazing. I would never have suspected that they might be original to the building. They may not be energy efficient, but they sure work well. Thanks for your input.

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 11,575

    The serial number on the Gas Conversion burner may offer a clue.  1049A4569 might mean that the burner was manufactured in October of 1949. And that sounds about right, but the boiler is much older.  That model was made in the late 1920s to the 1930s and even to the 1940s.  Look at the deed. What year was the home built, that imight be the age of that  boiler. 

    If the home is older than the 1910s then the home may have had a coal heater added in the 1930s. The original heat may have just been fireplaces, and Franklin stoves, if the home is over 120 years old.

    Edward Young Retired

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

    mattmia2
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 15,628
    edited December 20

    like others have said the boilers are probably original to 1926 or possibly when central heat was added in the 30's or so. the gas train on the conversion burners is the type that was used in the 40's and 50's.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 15,628

    is the base for the other boiler bigger than the other boiler too? it wouldn't be uncommon in the 20's for a house to just have a stove or a floor furnace or something like that rather than central heat

  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,413

    My Educated guess..mid to late 1920s. Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 15,628
    edited December 20

    that was the more efficient type of boiler at the time those were made though modern boilers are probably 10%-20% more efficient. the conversion burner being locate in the base probably knocks it down another 10%-20%

    i'm pretty sure that was the original central heating system in the building, just not sure it originally had central heat.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,599

    No doubt that is the original.

    Just look at the piping all straight and never reworked.

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