How do I tell if I have a forced hot water system, or a steam heating system?

Eighty year old house, cast iron radiators, new boiler (10 years old). Asked by Johnjrs 35 months ago Similar questions: forced hot water system steam heating Home > Home Improvement.

Similar questions: forced hot water system steam heating.

Here's the difference: trickling water= forced water, hissing=steam forced hot-water:Water heated in a boiler flows up to the radiators, where it releases its heat to the ambient air; the water then returns to the boiler to be reheated. Webster's Visual DictionarySteamSteam and condensate use the same main pipes. The condensate flows in the opposite direction of the steam.

Air valves are necessary for evacuating air during start-up. The system is simple but the heat emission in radiators or in heat exchangers are hard to control. Modulating the heat will cause the heating elements to be partly filled with air.

The system can work properly in applications where the heat can be modulated directly in the boiler, as applications for warehouses, garages and so on. The system should be avoided where it is necessary to individually modulate each radiator or heat exchanger. The condensate draines back to the boiler and during stops the system fills with air.

This makes the design suitable for temporarily heated application working under water freezing conditions. Sources: engineeringtoolbox.com/steam-heating-sys... .

I found an article on how to troubleshoot a hot water or steam distributions system. How to Troubleshoot a Hot Water and Steam Distribution Systemby Walter CurtisHot water and steam systems work similarly, but neither are typically installed in newer homes. However, because both are still in existing homes, here are some maintenance tips for them.

Because water retains heat, it is used to store and distribute heat in home systems. There are two types of hot water systems: the gravity system and the hydronic or forced hot water type. Hot water heating systems can be powered by gas, oil, or electricity.

Gravity systems depend on the upward flow of hot water to circulate heated water from the boiler through a system of pipes to radiators in the rooms of your home. The better radiators for hot water systems are called convectors. These units employ a series of fans to disperse the heat.

The heat from the water in the radiators or convectors is transferred first to the metal radiators and then to the air. As the water loses its heat, it sinks and flows back to the boiler through return pipes. Most gravity systems heat the water to no more than about 180 degrees Farenheit, and cooled water that goes back to the boiler rarely falls below 120 degrees Farenheit.

Open gravity systems have an overflow outlet to let water escape; this prevents a buildup of excess pressure in the system. Closed systems have a sealed expansion tank; when water pressure builds up in the system, the excess water flows into the expansion tank to prevent damage to the pipes or the boiler. Hydronic hot water systems are much like closed gravity systems, except a hydronic system uses a motor-driven circulating pump to move the water.As a result, water in a hydronic system moves more rapidly and arrives at the room radiator with less heat loss than water in a gravity system.

There are other key factors to consider when maintaining a hot water and steam distribution system. Learn these maintenance guidelines in the next section. Slope, Water Level, and Expansion TankThe following are key factors to consider when servicing a hot water and steam system.

SlopeHot water systems depend on proper slope. All pipes and radiators must slope back toward the boiler. Hammering noises and failure to heat indicate incorrect slope.

To correct these malfunctions, check the slope of radiators and pipes, and prop radiators or fasten pipes so all components are properly tilted. Water LevelThe water level in a hot water system's boiler should be maintained at about half full. There should be an air space between the surface of the water and the top of the tank.

A water level that is too low can cause inadequate heating. In most cases, an automatic filling system keeps the boiler filled with the proper amount of water. However, if the water level of the system is consistently low, check the pipes for leaks.

Close the water supply valve and note the water level for two or three days. If the level drops drastically, call a professional service person. Expansion TankFor efficient heating, the water in a hot water system is heated well above boiling, but it doesn't turn to steam because the expansion tank and a pressure-reducing valve keep the water under pressure.

Usually the expansion tank is hung from the basement ceiling, not far from the boiler. In older systems, look for the expansion tank in the attic. If there is not enough air in the expansion tank, the buildup of pressure will force water out of the safety relief valve located above the boiler.

Without enough air in the tank, the tank fills with water. The water expands as it heats up and then escapes through the safety relief valve. Check for air in the expansion tank by lightly touching it.

Normally, the bottom half of the tank feels warmer than the top; if the tank feels hot all over, it has filled with water and must be drained. Here's how to drain an expansion tank:Step 1: Turn off power to boiler. Close water supply shutoff valve, and let tank cool.

Step 2: A combination drain valve lets water out and air in when it's opened. If there is a combination valve, attach garden hose to valve and drain 2 or 3 gallons of water. If there is no combination valve, shut off valve between expansion tank and boiler, and completely drain expansion tank.

Step 3: Turn water supply back on. Then turn on power to boiler to get system running again.It isn't necessary to refill expansion tank; it will fill up as part of system's normal operation. Radiators on a hot water and steam system require regular servicing and maintenance.

The next section will tell you all you need to know about it. Sources: http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/heating-and-cooling/how-to-troubleshoot-a-hot-water-and-steam-distribution-system.htm .

You know you have steam when you hear your radiators hissing. Some steam systems don't hiss though; they have a second pipe (known as two pipe steam) that vents the air out of the radiator. Most average houses have one pipe steam, which is when you hear the hissing.

HOT WATERAfter WWII, hot water heating became the standard; steam became too expensive to install and it was less efficient than hot water heatingBenefits: For steam systems there are none, other than keeping with the original ambiance of a 100 year old house or avoiding 5-digit heating renovation costs. For Hot Water systems, there are many: Versatility and zoning as mentioned above, fuel efficiency when the right contractor is hired, generally higher comfort because of the lesser air movement. wilsonph.com/hvac_articles/heating_phras...The" rel="nofollow">wilsonph.com/hvac_articles/heating_phras... above article is a nice summary of how to tell what kind of system you have!

Sources: wilsonph.com/hvac_articles/heating_phras... .

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