[boilerdout]

We recently purchased a home and have no experience with steam heat. From the information on the boiler it was replaced in 2000. We live near Cleveland Ohio and the weather is, of course, cold and getting colder. Our gas bill last month was 89.00 this month 404.00. With average temperature of 42 can only imagine what the bill is going to be this month. Had gas company check meter and all is well. Had heating guy out and he can't find a problem. He drained off a little to clean it but we had done that also. During the afternoon, while we were standing with gas company rep. the boiler was trying to cycle every minute or so. It was crazy! Is this suppose to be the case? We had the heating man replace the thermostat, but doesn't look like that is helping. House is 1800 apx sq.feet. With 10 radiators. Thermostat set at 62. One bedroom is crazy hot. One bedroom no heat. Had the valves controllers replaced. Anyone have any advice. I really can't afford a $1000.00 gas bill. How often should this THING be running:(

[hvac1000]

Usually a steam generating boiler should not cycle like yours.
In the trade the real steam boiler mechanics are called Dead Men because most of the good ones are dead. That might sound funny but it is true. If the service man that you had at your house new what he was doing he would have caught the short cycling and corrected the problem then and there.

I will not go into a long conversation on steam boilers since nothing I say will be of much use to you unless you decide to spend the next 25 years learning the long lost steam trade. Most steam systems have been converted to hot water systems for the sake of economy since a hot water system is easier on the utility bills to start with.

My recommendation to you is find someone in your area that really knows there stuff on steam boilers. This person will not be a 25 or 35 year old guy. He will usually be in his 50's and be broken down from to many years playing with the 200 to 400 pound boiler sections. This is the guy you want to find because he will know the steam monster. I am retired but I am still one of only 3 people in this huge area where I live that knows how the Old Dead Men did there work and how the systems operate with all there quirks. The reason I know this? I am a old man broken down by many years in the HVAC trade. LOL One suggestion. When you find the right guy to service your system ask him about updating your control system starting with a good indoor outdoor control system. It will save you 30% on your utility bill.

Steam heat is probably the best heat with hot water running a very close second. When I was a young child I remember going to my Grandmas house and remember how warm and comfortable it always was. My Grandfather always made sure his steam boiler was running just right. My Grandfather was one of the original Dead Men and he was proud to be a great mechanic. He came to the USA with a guy named Dr. Carrier of Carrier heating and A/C fame. He was Dr. Carriers assistant for many of his projects and experiments when he was young. My interest in steam comes from those visits to my Grandmas house and my many visits to the basement with my Grandfather and my Dad so they could show me the wonders of steam they called The Monster.


Visit this site to learn all about steam heating and you might be able to post a question to find a old guy in your area that knows his stuff.

Home Heating Systems - HeatingHelp.com


Also

HeatingHelp.com

[boilerdout]

What a great story. I will look for an expert in my area. Is coverting to water expensive? Thanks for your help!

[hvac1000]

The hot water conversion price will depend upon the system you have. There are many ways to pipe a steam system and that alone causes problems for the ill informed. Local wage rate and parts mark up also have to be considered by the area in which you live. If you are going to consider a conversion make sure the person knows exactly what they are doing and have done others with success or it could turn into a major problem. Usually if they have done hot water conversions they can provide the phone for 2 or more customers which you can call for a recommendation. In many cases over the years I have had previous customers actually allow perspective customers to visit there home or commercial building so they could see my company's work to get a better understanding of why we charged so much. I was never cheap but the work was always done neatly and correctly to make sure the customer was satisfied.