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I would say stay with steam and cast iron radiators, but switch to a gas boiler for the convenience and cleanliness and the hopefully lower cost to operate than oil. Oil has dropped quite a bit but gas has gone down also. A gas boiler should also be lower maintenance than an oil boiler.
I'd go with this.
I've been working on heating equipment for a long time, and steam is just about the most effective medium you can find as long as everything is working right. Couple it with a modern gas boiler, and you can't really go wrong.
Me and my wife are currently interested in a property in Nassau, but it has steam heat system (oil boiler). Is this type of system difficult to maintain? And is it also WAY LESS efficient compared to other heating systems? Our current house is forced hot water via gas boiler and the only thing I really needed to do is bleed the convector units.
I was thinking of converting to a gas steam boiler and leave it as a steam heat system, at least I don't have to deal with the oil smell, deliveries, and maintaining an oil burner. I've been reading that it's super expensive to convert to FHW system.
You are right on target. This is exactly what I would do. Your home inspector should be able to show you how to maintain a steam boiler. Very simple...
Make sure your system has a low water cutoff device as well as automatic boiler feed valve.
You are right on target. This is exactly what I would do. Your home inspector should be able to show you how to maintain a steam boiler. Very simple...
Make sure your system has a low water cutoff device as well as automatic boiler feed valve.
Great point. My boiler is not THAT old, but I have to flush and add water periodically. It's a pain. Do they still even make them like that any more?
Great point. My boiler is not THAT old, but I have to flush and add water periodically. It's a pain. Do they still even make them like that any more?
Yes. Auto fills can be added to any boiler though; you just pick the type you want and have a qualified technician install and set the level.
And all steam boilers should be blown down occasionally. Sediment and minerals settle out of the water during the boiling process and sit on the bottom. Blowing it down removes them.
Nothing except radiant is better than steam heat. Eventually you should convert to natural gas since oil will go back up. You will need to drain and flush the boiler at least once a month in the winter to keep the boiler clean and also test the low water cut off. Once a week would be better.
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