Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Old furnace
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PRauseo
05-20-02, 11:17 AM
Hi,
I have a 76 year old home with an equally old furnace. We believe it was actually converted over from coal at some point. It is cast iron, with an oil burner. There is not a manufacturer name only a stamp on the door that says "Patent Pending". It had an asbestos covering that has been removed. We have hotwater radiators in the home. The furnace has been serviced every year and burns cleanly (per our furnace man) and pretty efficient despite its age, ~spend about $80.00/per month on heating a three story house.
We would like to add an addition on the house and add two radiators on the system. The contractor, however, has expressed concern about adding two additional radiators to this "closed" system. He referred to it as "grandmom's old car-leave it alone it will run forever, alter it in any way and..." Considering the age we know we need to replace it at some point but we would like another opinion on this problem. Any info/help would be appreciated.
Paige Rauseo
I have a 76 year old home with an equally old furnace. We believe it was actually converted over from coal at some point. It is cast iron, with an oil burner. There is not a manufacturer name only a stamp on the door that says "Patent Pending". It had an asbestos covering that has been removed. We have hotwater radiators in the home. The furnace has been serviced every year and burns cleanly (per our furnace man) and pretty efficient despite its age, ~spend about $80.00/per month on heating a three story house.
We would like to add an addition on the house and add two radiators on the system. The contractor, however, has expressed concern about adding two additional radiators to this "closed" system. He referred to it as "grandmom's old car-leave it alone it will run forever, alter it in any way and..." Considering the age we know we need to replace it at some point but we would like another opinion on this problem. Any info/help would be appreciated.
Paige Rauseo
hvac4u
05-20-02, 08:02 PM
is my thought......you have an undependable inefficient system. i know you do not want to hear it, but replace it and add your zones, you will be so much happier.
resercon
05-20-02, 09:09 PM
Your problem is not so much with the boiler, it's with your distribution system. If it's that old and hot water system, it must be a gravity system. They didn't have any other type of hot water system back in those days. To better understand your system, you can go to http://www.heatinghelp.com/heating_qa.cfm and read the first topic, "Hot Water Gravity Systems"
Since your bills are what they are, whoever installed this system was good. I've dealt with this type of system on several occassions. And in each case their energy bills were very high (quadrupled yours) and they complained about uneven heating of the home. What controls the distribution of hot water to the radiators are the configuration and sizing of the pipes throughout the system. This is the reason why your service person answered you that way.
Since your bills are what they are, whoever installed this system was good. I've dealt with this type of system on several occassions. And in each case their energy bills were very high (quadrupled yours) and they complained about uneven heating of the home. What controls the distribution of hot water to the radiators are the configuration and sizing of the pipes throughout the system. This is the reason why your service person answered you that way.
Sharp Advice
05-20-02, 09:23 PM
Hello: PRauseo
You stated you wanted another opinion "on this problem?" In my opinion and based upon the service persons remarks and the two prior postings in reply to your question, you do not have a problem. Leave well enough alone as suggested.
When you build the addition or add the additional rooms, consider heating them with totally sperate and individual heating system entirely.
Based upon the existing houses floor plan and layout and that of the proposed addition, I am sure the new additons floor plan and the contractor will devise a means to heat the addition with a seperate heating system.
There are several energy & cost saving benefits having 2 independant heating systems that I suggest you explore during the planning stages of the addition.
Forum Host & Moderator.
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You stated you wanted another opinion "on this problem?" In my opinion and based upon the service persons remarks and the two prior postings in reply to your question, you do not have a problem. Leave well enough alone as suggested.
When you build the addition or add the additional rooms, consider heating them with totally sperate and individual heating system entirely.
Based upon the existing houses floor plan and layout and that of the proposed addition, I am sure the new additons floor plan and the contractor will devise a means to heat the addition with a seperate heating system.
There are several energy & cost saving benefits having 2 independant heating systems that I suggest you explore during the planning stages of the addition.
Forum Host & Moderator.
TCB4U2B2B Company Enterprises.
Fast, Fair, Friendly & Highly Efficient Service.....:)
Energy Conservation Consultants & Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
Alway's consider the warranties and future service needs for any major appliances your considering to purchase. Price isn't always the best guide for long term appliance investments.
TheZman
05-21-02, 10:42 AM
Hello Paige,
I have a similar situation in my home, where I added two hot water radiators to the rooms over my garage. I also have a coal furnace that was converted to oil in the mid-1950s. I replaced two electric radiators with two hot water ones over a year ago and everything works fine, but there are other things to consider besides the furnace itself.
The answer to your question is not a simple "Yes" or "No".
Eventhough, your house was built 76 years ago, if modern enhancements where incorporated into the house, your furnace might actually be overrated and have the extra capacity to deliver heat to the extra rooms in your home.
For example, over 50 years ago houses were built with little or no insulation and all windows were single pane glass types.
If your house has enough insulation (by today's standards) installed as well as modern double pane or gas filled widnows, your furnace only has to work 60-80% as much as it did 76 years ago to keep your home heated to a comfortable level. If this is the case, your furnace can handle the extra pair of radiators.
I hate to say it, but I would ask for another opinion. Most contractors are reluctant to extend existing hot water systems, because it is work intensive dealing with all that old threaded iron pipe.
Regards TheZman
I have a similar situation in my home, where I added two hot water radiators to the rooms over my garage. I also have a coal furnace that was converted to oil in the mid-1950s. I replaced two electric radiators with two hot water ones over a year ago and everything works fine, but there are other things to consider besides the furnace itself.
The answer to your question is not a simple "Yes" or "No".
Eventhough, your house was built 76 years ago, if modern enhancements where incorporated into the house, your furnace might actually be overrated and have the extra capacity to deliver heat to the extra rooms in your home.
For example, over 50 years ago houses were built with little or no insulation and all windows were single pane glass types.
If your house has enough insulation (by today's standards) installed as well as modern double pane or gas filled widnows, your furnace only has to work 60-80% as much as it did 76 years ago to keep your home heated to a comfortable level. If this is the case, your furnace can handle the extra pair of radiators.
I hate to say it, but I would ask for another opinion. Most contractors are reluctant to extend existing hot water systems, because it is work intensive dealing with all that old threaded iron pipe.
Regards TheZman