Steam thermostats

Hank_3 · April 2006

This is what I was looking for. Thanks for the source.

Hank_3 · April 2006

Steam thermostats

We have a 4000sqft three story victorian with a 400,000 btu steam boiler. I have been trying many things to get control of this system over the last six years. The first floor is too cold and the third only gets some heat when its 10 below outside. I have heard of thermostats on the radiators (one pipe) but have not been able to find such a thing.
We are about ready to convert to two pipe hot water but would like to try one more time to fix what we have.
Ideas?

Tim Gardner · April 2006

It is hard to imagine how 400,000 btu would not be enough. More likely your system needs tuning. I'd recommend buying one of Dan's books sold on this site. They tell you about what the settings should be and how to get the right vents. They also discus thermostatic radiator valves (TRV's) which is what you are asking about.

I'm just a homeowner, but I found the books helped me immensely. And/or you could contact a professional who is good with steam, such as many of the ones who post here.

ed wallace · April 2006

steam thermostats

only 1 thing makes sence thermostatic radiator valves and outdoor reset thermostatic radiator valves from danfoss,honeywell. or tunsall, out door reset from danfoss?

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Steamhead (in transit) · April 2006

Hank, you don't want to convert that system

unless you're ready to deal with a lot of trouble. Read this:

http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm?Id=22

If your system is 2-pipe, and there are no vents on the radiators, it's probably Vapor. This was the Cadillac of heating in its day and is still one of the best out there. It is easily fixed by someone who knows these systems.

Try the Find a Professional page of this site to locate someone near you who can restore your system. If you're in the Baltimore area, contact me.

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Boilerpro_5 · April 2006

What Steamhead Said....

I've taken on several systems with those kinds of problems and they now heat within 1/2 degree from room to room. I'm in Northern IL if I can be of service

Boilerpro

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Hank_3 · April 2006

Thanks for the response. I have done further browsing and found some termostatic vents for steam. One was $25 and one was $10. I guess we will start to experiment. Its too bad that the heating season is over, it will be hard to get some good days to test. I found them at Aubuchon Hardware. They are called adjustable air vents. They look just like the old vents with a numbered knob on the bottom.

Tim Gardner · April 2006

Those sound like regular adjustable vents, not thermostatic ones. Thermostatic ones have a thermostat in them and adust the venting based on temperature. Regular adjustable vents let you set the hole size but it stays the same regardless of the tempearture. Thermostatic valves are more expensive.

Steamhead (in transit) · April 2006

Sound like Vent-Rite #1 vents

nice units, but they are for one-pipe or two-pipe air-vent systems. Is this what you have?

"Steamhead"

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Hank_3 · April 2006

thermostatic vents

I can't find thermostatic vents for a one pipe steam system. Folks have told me about them many times. I can't seem to find one anywhere.
I will work with the ones I found to see if they help. Otherwise I may convert to hot water just to keep from going insane.

JBee · April 2006

TRV

Try this for a (TRV)http://www.garnetmidwest.com/displayCategory.do?Id=1934
its for a one pipe steam system.

Tim Gardner · April 2006

I'm not sure where to buy them online, but the Danfoss RA200 1PS are described in this pdf:
http://www.danfossheating.com/products/pdf/RA2000 1PS_datasheet.pdf

A plumbing supply store would have them or be able to order them.

Tim

Steamhead (in transit) · April 2006

No need to convert, Hank

This is fixable. Have you had your system looked over yet, by someone whose agenda is something other than "convert it or rip it out"? Try the Find a Professional page of this site.

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Hank_3 · April 2006

Thanks Tim

Thanks Tim. This is what I was looking for.

Steam thermostats

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