Main vents and heating speed

Steamhead (in transit) · November 2006

once the main is well insulated. Since the entire boiler's output goes into that one main, I'd use three Gorton #2 vents at the end. Mount them on suitable tees on that 1-inch takeoff.

"Steamhead"

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Mike AK · November 2006

main vents and heating speed in one pipe steam

Hello!
Thanks already for all the information on this board and site! I have a question about a one pipe system with a main pipes in the basement. The main pipe is about 72': it feeds 12 radiators, some old and large, starts at 3 inches and ends at 2 1/2". It loops around the basement, so that the main vent is right next to the boiler.
My question: the main vent is clogged, but even when I unscrew the vent and let the air run through the open hole, the steam only moves about 15 feet per minute through the pipe. Should the steam be moving faster? Would a single Groton #2 be sufficient for this pipe, or do I need to create another tee, either in addition to the one currently there or somewhere else on the pipe? (The pipe leading to the main vent on the larger pipe is 1", and the current vent is a Dole #5) The pipe is not insulated--which I plan to do this weekend--but what and how many main vents should I put on the pipe?
Thanks for any help!

Mike

Mike L · November 2006

steam speed

I don't mean to sound like a flamehead but what's your firing rate in comparison to EDR? And yes I agree with Steamhead that once insulated things will work alot more efficiently.

Mike AK · November 2006

No problem... but explain?

Mike L:
I'm a homeowner whose in the early learning stages, so I'm not even sure what you're asking (or why it might be insulting--so that saves me that trouble--haha). I think you might be asking how much power it has versus how much radiation is in the house. And I can't answer that question. The boiler is old: I had the energy company do an audit of the house, and he guessed 1930s, although my uneducated guess would be a couple decades later. Judging by watching the gas meter it seems to use about 250000 BTUs per hour. It's a big house (3000 square feet) with 15 radiators (some big and old), but it doesn't seem to have any trouble filling them given enough time (1 1/2 hours until most of them are 3/4 or fully heated). What I'm mostly worried about is how long it takes: 20-25 minutes until many of the radiators receive any steam at all. Since I have no experience with steam heat, I'm uncertain whether this is normal or a problem (but it's expensive either way!)

Mike

Mike L · November 2006

Steam speed

No Mike that was not an insult,it is how much power versus radiation. you probably need someone who is familiar enough with steam heat and has the radiator charts to answer that question.(someone who most likely hangs around here.) That said the amount of time involved in getting heat(steam) to your radiation is a big problem.It will definatly cost you more money to ignore it than fix it.How long does it take for the steam to get into the radiators once the main is hot? Are all of the radiator valves wide open?Do you have variable vents on the radiators and are they wide open?what was the stack temp after your last tune up.By the way if you haven't had that done it's probably a good place to start.I don't know where you are(not that it matters)but ask around locally and find a pro with good steam references,and get them, the references I mean,and have them come do a good thorough cleaning,from the fill pipe to the thimble and then give you an evaluation of the system as a whole.Being 30 years old or even 15/20 years old i'll bet that the whole thing could use some fixing up(the boiler). but you should have the system evaluated before you spend any money fixing up any thing.No point in shoving money down a hole however most systems just suffer from lack of PROPER maintainence,a small thing gets let go cause it's not that important then another then another, then, well the system is in not that great a shape so don't spend to much time there on the job doing a tune up cause the home owner doesn't want to spend any money on an old falling down system(or more to the point they don't want to spend their toy money on something in the cellar that nobody sees, including them as long as it still works)well I've rattled on long enough to bore you to tears,if you have any questions holler back and someone from here will give you some good advice I'm sure

Charles G. · November 2006

Steam problem

Have you checked the basics? Steam can move incredibly fast through a system--provided its heading in the right direction. Have you flooded the boiler to check for a leak above the water line? Your steam could be moving very quickly--right up the chimney. If you're unsure about flooding the boiler, just fire the beast up and go outside and look @ the chimney. If its pouring smoke/vapor like an old time locomotive, you found your problem.

Fred Harwood_2 · November 2006

venting

> once the main is well insulated. Since the entire

> boiler's output goes into that one main, I'd use

> three Gorton #2 vents at the end. Mount them on

> suitable tees on that 1-inch takeoff.

> "Steamhead"

>

> _A

> HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=

> 367&Step=30"_To Learn More About This

> Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in

> "Find A Professional"_/A_

Fred Harwood_2 · November 2006

venting

Follow Steamhead's advice, then tell us what has changed. No insulation on those big mains, inadequate mains venting, and possibly inadequate radiator venting all add up to slow heating and long and expensive burner operations.

Get those mains insulated and vented.

Main vents and heating speed

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