1930s American Radiator Company Boiler

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dustinjoyce
dustinjoyce Posts: 1
in Oil Heating

We bought a 200 year old colonial with this big boiler still intact. Works well but looking for any advice to keep this relic running well for as long as possible! Could get a new one but this thing is awesome

IMG_3178.jpeg IMG_3177.jpeg

. Use’s about 750-800 gallons of oil a year to heat 2,000 sq ft.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Comments

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Posts: 4,617

    I'm guessing this is a wet return, if there ever is any evidence about excessive water use, make sure the wet return is not leaking.

    image.png
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Posts: 21,169

    Wet return looks like it may have been dug up and replaced already.

    I would buy one of Dan Holohans books available on this site to learn about steam. there is a lot you can do if your handy and own a few tools.

    I would have your oil company service it yearly.

    Then learn about the safety controls, low water cut off and pressure control should be serviced every year. Checking radiator air vents and go on a search for main air vents at the ends of the steam mains. You may or may not have any.

    You should install a blow off pipe on the safety valve that is on top of the boiler. I would also check the rating of that valve (IN BTUs) it could be undersized.

    plumbworker
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Posts: 7,744

    If you think THAT'S awesome, you should see the MegaSteam.

    Grallert
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Posts: 18,974

    I think that's American Radiator's "Water Tube Boiler" which was one of their better units. It's built like a tank, as all the old ones were. Can you see the model number on the tag?

    The Carlin burner is a good one, probably a 100 or 102 CRD. Any reputable service organization should stock parts for it, this will mean they can fix it quickly if it malfunctions.

    Co-Founder, All Steamed Up, Inc.

    Semi-retired

    Baltimore, MD, USA

  • TheUpNorthState88
    TheUpNorthState88 Posts: 141
    edited September 30

    100% keep! These old boilers are simple in operation and literally built like a tank. I would open the passages and ensure there is no soot build up. If so, wear a N-95 mask and shop vac it all out. Mine had that year one because it had not been done in decades (bought the house from an 89 year old woman.) Its been whistle clean every year since. I adjusted the burners and the amount of gas flowing to them, fire was ROARING and burning inefficient sending a lot of heat and CO up the chimney (hence the soot buildup). Now it has a very clean blue flame and low CO. I have my own combustion analyzer so I test it monthly during heating season. This beast is such a beauty and so is yours!

    And because yours is not covered in asbestos, it behaves as a massive radiator for the basement. Even mine gives off good heat and asbestos is seal inside the metal jacket.

    IMG_7134.jpg

    Lifelong Michigander

    -Willie

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Posts: 18,974

    I'm sure there's asbestos under the jacket of that boiler.

    Co-Founder, All Steamed Up, Inc.

    Semi-retired

    Baltimore, MD, USA

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