Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Boiler & Radiator Operation & Maintainance

Am a small, single woman who recently purchased an 104 year old home in the city of St. Louis. Am dealing with a converted coal-to-gas boiler system with radiators for the first time and haven't a clue as to how to operate or maintain such a system. Any insights as to the basics and general rules of thumb would be very much appreciated. I need to make radiator covers and have very ornate draperies, that I have been told will not be compatible with hot radiators this winter. I have only the most basic of knowledge on this situation and really need guidence! Thanks! ; )

The only real "maintenance" you may have to do is to bleed the radiators, if they are hot water. Secondly, you will have to learn to light the "pilot" light if it should go out some cold winter's day. Your supplier will probably offer a yearly maintenance contract, that will cover prevention of gas leaks, any cleaning of the boiler, etc.

Someone else here can explain safe and proper maintenance of pilot lights here, but the principle is the same as for gas stoves - it provides an ignition source for the appliance.

Now there are two main kinds of hot water heat out there - gravity-fed vs. circulating. With gravity, the pressure of the hot water provides circulation. This requires monthly bleeding during the cold months of which you no doubt have a stretch of in St. Louis(!) With a built-in or added-on circulator, you may almost never have to bleed. Your gas supplier can steer you toward the proper key to fit into the bleeder outlet if you don't have a circulator.

As far as radiator coverings - I would keep it simple, with little or no fabric hanging down or on the fins of the radiators. If the cover sits on the radiator top only, the under-side should be lined with aluminum foil, shiny side toward the fins to dispel heat from the cover.

You should do the same with the undersides of a floor standing radiator cover, just to maximize efficiency. I doubt your draperies would catch fire from the radiators, but they could become distorted or possibly faded from the intense heat. Be as ornate as you want with the actual cover; just make sure nothing dangles down into the fins.

Regards,

Chris

Thank you so very much, Chris! I did not expect such a prompt or detailed reply and could not be more delighted with the information you provided. This is my third rehab home, the oldest structure and the greatest challange so far. I have learned that there is no such thing as a small job or project here! I am certain to post more queries in the future and am grateful to find a wealth of information, such as yourself. With gratitude & regards, Holly