Steam Heat Guide: Steam Heating Controls & Gauges
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What are the various gauges, switches, & controls found on residential steam heating systems? - how to identify, inspect, and use controls and gauges on residential steam heating systems?
- Five Common Safety Devices on a Steam Heating Boiler
- HARTFORD LOOP & other safety controls found on steam systems
BOILER CONTROLS & SWITCHES - separate article, hot water heat
Questions & Answers about residential steam heating system controls, valves, gauges
References

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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Steam heat controls: here we provide a photo guide to all types of controls found on residential & light commercial steam heating systems. We tell you what each control does, where it is located, what it looks like, and we link to in-depth information about setting controls or diagnosing & repairing problems with steam heat controls. This article series provides an illustrated inspection and repair guide to Steam Heating Systems.

Steam Heating Systems Guide: Controls Found on Residential Steam Heating Systems

Steam boiler schematic (C) Carson Dunlop Associates

All of the steam heating system controls described in our introduction are illustrated below and described in greater detail in individual articles found in this steam heat series.

If you don't know what kind of heat your building uses, we explain how to figure out the answer at HEATING SYSTEM TYPES.

If your heating system is not working properly, see NO HEAT - BOILER.

Sketch of a one-pipe typical steam heating system (left) is provided courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates.

In a one pipe system each radiator is served by a single pipe: steam rises into the radiator and condensate (water) returns from the radiator through the same pipe loop, as you can see at left.

A two-pipe steam heating system is similar but provides a separate loop of piping that collects condensate and returns it from the radiator to the boiler.

List & Photographs of All Controls found on Steam Heating Systems

If your heating system looks like a heating boiler but your heating radiators have valves which hiss and let air escape as heat is coming on your heat is probably being delivered in pipes which circulate steam from the steam boiler up through radiators in the occupied space.

Although both hot water - hydronic heating systems (discussed at BOILERS, HEATING) and steam boilers (discussed here at STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS) use a boiler that heats water, the heat distribution method and most of the heating boiler controls are different between these two systems.

Both steam boilers and hot water boilers may share certain controls that monitor and manage the heating source such as an oil burner or gas burner. Heater burner controls make sure that there is a safe proper combustion flame, control draft, and protect against flue gas spillage. Examples include the CAD CELL RELAY SWITCH (oil burners) or Spill Switches (gas burners).

Steam Boiler pressure controls:

Because the operating temperature, pressure, and form of heat distribution are different from hot water heat (typically 20-30 psi of hot water), steam boilers (typically less than 0.5 psi steam) use use controls that monitor steam pressure (Pressure Switch, Steam Boiler) shown at left as well as RADIATOR STEAM VENTS (shown later in this article) and other steam piping controls.

And because all steam heating systems consume some water during every heating cycle, steam boilers carefully monitor the water level in the boiler (Low Water Cutoff Valves, Boilers) and require that water be added either manually (now rare, but found on some older steam systems) or automatically (WATER FEEDER Valves, Steam).

These and other steam controls are illustrated below.

Five Common Safety Devices on a Steam Heating Boiler

The sight glass described just below is just one of the safety devices found on a steam boiler, which will also include
a pressure/temperature relief valve, almost always a
low water cutoff valve,
a Hartford Loop (to prevent loss of water out of the boiler by siphoning out of boiler water from a piping leak), and on many modern residential steam systems, and on modern systems, an
automatic water feeder valve may also be installed.

Function of the Hartford Loop safety piping arrangement on steam boilers

Invented by the Hartford (CT) insurance company in response to an unacceptable rate of steam boiler damage, loss, and even explosions, the Hartford Loop is a piping arrangement at the steam boiler condensate return line that allows condensate to re-enter the boiler but prevents complete loss of steam boiler water should a leak develop elsewhere in the condensate return line.

The risk of steam condensate return water leaks was and can remain significant because of the corrosive acids that form in steam and other heating boilers and because not coincidentally, the more likely place where such leaks would develop is in the last and lowest run of the condensate return line along or close to the floor approaching the steam boiler.

See illustrations of the Hartford Loop piping at CONDENSATE RETURN PIPES, PUMPS, STEAM. The Hartford Loop is also discussed at STEAM HEAT DEFECTS LIST and at STEAM TRAPS

Photo Guide to the Steam Boiler Sight Glass

The sight glass on a steam boiler is an important safety and operating device since it allows the homeowner or inspector to see at a glance when the steam boiler is low on water.

Steam systems use varying amounts of water.

Unlike a hydronic heating boiler, some of the water in the steam boiler is lost through the building's radiator steam vents at each heating cycle.

Just how much water the steam boiler will lose varies widely depending on a number of factors.

But if a heating boiler loses its water without also being shut down it will certainly be damaged by the heat of the oil or gas burner (or coal or wood), and it could lead to a dangerous explosion or fire.

If your steam boiler has an automatic water feeder, you should still check the water level (and clarity) in the sight glass frequently, but the risk of a ruined boiler from lost water is of course much less.

Photo Guide to the Steam Boiler Pressure Control Safety Switch

The pressure control switch on a steam heating boiler is designed to shut the heating system down should unsafe high pressures develop.

As we repeat at our description of pressure gauges on a steam boiler, residential steam heating systems are almost always designed to operate at very low pressures, perhaps around .5 psi - that' s 1/2 of one psi.

You should see similar settings on the pressure gauge (at left in our photograph) and on the steam pressure control switch (the gray box at right in our photo) on your boiler.

Photo Guide to Steam Boiler Low Water Cutoff Valves

Here's a photo of a low water cutoff safety valve LWCO on a steam boiler. This valve on a steam heating boiler needs to be flushed clean weekly (more or less) during the heating season. The yellow handle you see in the photo is used for that purpose.

More photos and details about low water cutoff valves on steam boilers can be read at LOW WATER CUTOFF CONTROLS

Photo Guide to Steam Boiler Automatic Water Feeders

Above are photographs of a couple of different but still modern automatic water feeder valves on a steam boiler.

Here we show the "manual feed" button which can be found on the automatic water feeder in the photo at above left.

Details about water feeder valves can be found at WATER FEEDER VALVES

Identification & Repair of Relief Valves on Steam Boilers

Low pressure steam boilers still require a pressure/temperature safety relief valve. A pressure relief valve is a spring-loaded device that will open to spill excess pressure (and temperature) in the form of water, steam, or a mix of the two, at a pre-determined pressure in order to protect the heating appliance from damage, or worse, a dangerous BLEVE explosion. (BLEVE EXPLOSIONS)

However the valve operates at different temperatures and pressures than found on a hydronic (hot water heating) boiler. Residential steam boilers typically operate at below 1 psi, and on residential steam systems the pressure/relief valve is usually set to open at 15 psi.

If your boiler pressure/relief valve is leaking see RELIEF VALVE LEAK for the steps in problem diagnosis & repair.

Steam boiler temperature/pressure relief valve label (C) Daniel Friedman 1999

Our steam boiler TP relief valve photo at above left shows typical operating parameters for these safety controls. This particular valve, a Watts No. 315-M1 is a 3/4-inch diameter valve set to open at 15 PSIG and has an energy release rate of 375 LBS/Hr.

The steam heating boiler TP valve shown at above right is leaking and lacks its discharge tube - this is an unsafe installation.

Steam boiler TP relief valve photo contributions needed - . CONTACT us.

Photos of Steam Traps on Residential Steam Heating Systems

Steam traps such as the Hoffman-style steam trap shown at left are installed on residential steam heating systems (usually at the bottom of the radiator at the opposite end from the steam input side) in order to allow air and condensate out of the radiator while at the same time, stopping the escape of steam (or slowing it) until the steam can condense to water (thus transferring its heat to the radiator itself).

We explain the function, identification, & troubleshooting of steam traps at STEAM TRAPS.

Steam Vents on Residential Heating Systems

Details about the inspection, repair, replacement, function, and identification of steam vents on one pipe and two pipe steam heating systems can be read at Steam Vents

Also see RADIATORS for more extensive information about steam radiator troubleshooting.

Condensate Return Pumps & Condensate Systems on Residential Steam Heating Systems

Steam condensate return pump system (C) D Friedman

Our photo at above left illustrates a steam condensate return pump system in a home

Our second steam condensate return system (above right) shows the reservoir and condensate pump motor (gray pump and new piping on the right side of the condensate reservoir at the left in that picture). This system also includes chemical injection into the steam condensate.

Details about steam condensate piping, return pumps, and leaks are found at CONDENSATE RETURN PIPES, PUMPS, STEAM

Steam Boiler Pressure Gauge and Normal Pressure Ranges

Pressure and Temperature gauge on steam heating boilers: Residential steam heating systems are almost always designed to operate at very low pressures, perhaps around .5 psi - that' s 1/2 of one psi.

You should see similar settings on the pressure gauge (at left in our photograph) and on the steam pressure control switch (the gray box at right in our photo) on your boiler.

Details about gauges on heating equipment can be read at GAUGES ON HEATING EQUIPMENT and see Pressure Gauges, Boilers for more details about pressure gauges on hydronic (hot water) heating boilers (these are not steam systems).

...

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Steam Heating Boiler Controls: installation, diagnosis, repair

Question: is replacing the steam boiler sight glass difficult?

Is replacing the sight glass on a Weil McClain steam boiler difficult? - Carl 4/17/11

Reply:

It's not mechanically difficult to replace the steam boiler sight glass, but you have to shut down power to the boiler, let it cool down, and drain down the water level in the boiler low enough to be able to disassemble the fittings and install the new glass.

That's if everything goes well. If you encounter corroded fittings that you can't get apart, snap off a fitting at its mount to the boiler, etc. it could turn into a bigger job - not something to attempt on Sunday night when there are no open spare parts stores and you don't want to be without heat.

I'd take a careful look at the condition of the fittings and make sure I had the proper glass and other repair tools and pipe dope, etc on hand. - editor

I should add that on some steam boiler sight glass setups the shutoff valves are working and you might be able to just shut off water there provided the boiler's not too hot to work on. The ease of slipping in the new sight glass depends on its fittings and their condition.

Question: proper setting for a Honeywell PA-404-A 1099 Presstrol on a steam boiler

DOEs ANYONE KNOW THE PROPER SETTING FOR A HONEYWELL PA-404-A 1009 PRESTROL CONTROL FOR A WEIL-MCLANE STEAM BOILER - Rick 9/11/11

Reply:

Rick the exact pressure needed varies by installation but in a low pressure residential steam system the pressure range is usually between 0.2 and 0.4 psi.

Question: steam pipe configuration question at the boiler

what's the term they call the 2 steam pipes that form an H above a steam boiler. in other words the pipes from both sides of the burner connected together?THANKS,Walter - 9/25/11

Reply: steam pipe header

Walter: sorry we couldn't give an instant reply; sometimes the volume of reader questions is considerable and takes some time to get thorough.

I am guessing you are referring to the steam header or manifold piping that allows steam to enter more than one steam supply line or riser.

A second piping configuration that will be along side, not above, the boiler is the Hartford loop - a loop of piping sort of like an upside down trap that prevents water from siphoning out of the boiler should there be a leak in the condensate return line.

Question: steam boiler parts identification

Wow, what a great web site. I am trying to identify a vessel on the side of an old National steam boiler/furnace. It is about 12-18" tall, about 8" diameter and is attached to a manifold in the side that is about 12" off the floor. It is heavily rusted. The boiler is an old coal fired converted to oil. Can I send you photos? Thanks, Stephen strentsch@yahoo.com or strentsch 10/4/11

Reply:

sure Mr. Strentsch,

use the CONTACT link found at page top, left, or bottom to see our email and send along some sharp photos and we'll be glad to take a look

Question: where do I add water to my furnace

Need to know where I add water to my furnace. The low water indicator is on. Not sure where to look. And not sure if I have an automatic water feeder. Thank you LJV 109/23/11

Reply:

LJV

Indeed finding where to add water to a steam boiler can be tricky for an unfamiliar building owner because the water supply valves are not always located in the same place.

Try backing up a bit: find the cold water supply piping in your home. Follow the piping to the steam boiler.
That route will show you where water enters the boiler as the piping will end either at a manual valve, at an automatic water feeder valve, or at a combination of the two - that is, some boilers may include an automatic water feed valve as well as a manual valve located on a piping loop that pipes around the water feed valve.

In the links listed at Related Topics , under STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS
be sure to read the following two articles:

LOW WATER CUTOFF CONTROLS
Water Feeder Valves, Steam

Those articles include photos of the valve(s) you are looking for.

Or use the CONTACT link at Related Topics to send me some sharp, well-lit photos of your system and I'll be glad to look them over and give more specific advice.

Question: My steam boiler seems to be taking more water than usual

I blow the system down regularly and then make up the water in the sight glass. However I seem to be using significantly more water then years past whereas I'd top the sight glass every couple of weeks in the past compared to every other day now. What do you think the problem is? - Tom C 10.27.11

Reply:

Tom C: a common reason for increased water consumption in a steam heating system is one or more radiator steam vents that are not closing properly. Check also for a leak in the condensate return line.

Question: I need to prepare for a steam boiler license and want book recommendations

I’m happy to have found this website. I’m getting back into heating and cooling and need to prepare for higher license. Question: Is there a DVD collection you recommended as an additional studying tool? I see that Harold J. Frost, Frederick M. Steingress, Daryl R. Walker’s collection is close to 600.00 which is very steep for my pocket. Would you happen to know of a website or cheap place I can buy such DVD or a CD? If not these guys than another author is ok. Thanks for the feedback. Kym 11/23/11

Reply:

Kym if you are looking specifically for information on steam heating I'd pick up any of Dan Holihan's books on steam heat. He's the best.

Question:

The HomeServ tech just left after installing a new auto water feeder, and the PSI gauge on my steam heater is off the chart, over 30 PSI. I shut it down and called HomeServ and they said leave it on and they'll come in the morning. How do I lower the PSI myself so I can leave it on tonight and my little kids (two with strep) don't freeze? Thanks! 2/22/2012

Reply:

Watch out: If the PSI gauge is showing abnormal pressure and the gauge itself is working properly the system is unsafe and should be shut down. Call someone else and fire that tech - from your description the system sounds unsafe

Question: water drips out of the air valve at the bottom of the tank

I HAVE AN OIL BURNER HOT WATER SYSTEM MY EXPANSION IS DRIPPING WATER OUT THE AIR VALVE STEM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK SHOULD I REPAIR OR REPLACE - Mike S 10/12/12

Reply:

Mike, the air valve stem is replaceable, I would tr that first. Check also for abnormal system press ( an unsafe condition)

Question: what are those red knobs above and below the sight glass on my steam boiler and which way do I turn them

What are the red knobs above and below the sight glass for and how should they be turned? - Anon 10/15/12

Reply:

The red control valves at the top and bottom of the steam boiler sight glass are water shutoff controls used to isolate the sight glass from the boiler to permit glass replacement should it break. Closing both valves also permits emergency, temporary heating system use if the glass is broken, though of course you no longer know the boiler water level.

Question: radiator banging noise repair procedure

I have a one pipe steam system. My dining room radiator air vent was just replaced because the old one was leaking profusely (damaged my floors). The porch radiator air vent was also replaced because of too much steam condensation in the room, but now the open/close valve is leaking at the base. The radiator upstairs in middle bedroom is banging and clanking. The pipe that runs along the basement ceiling (finished basement) also bangs when the heat is coming on. My plumber cannot really give me an answer. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks p Rita 11/21/12

Reply:

Rita,

If you search InspectApedia for

BANGING STEAM PIPES

you can read about the diagnosis & cure of this problem

About the leaking valve - unfortunately that means you need another service call.

Question: relief valve is leaking

cleaned on a vav system is leaking dose the cilanod valve need to be replaced

- Anon 11/23/12

Reply:

See RELIEF VALVE LEAKS for procedures to diagnose and fix leaky TP relief valves.

Question: too-high steam pressure traced to a blocked sensor on steam pressure control

Pressure on gas steam boiler was rising far too high, so high that the pressure relief valve released twice when it hit 15 psi (as it was supposed to do). Good buddy who really knows his stuff checked everything from pressure valve to pressuretrol. Nothing . He then checked "pigtail" and found blockage .Problem solved!! - Ken 11/24/12

Reply:

Thanks for this note it may help other readers

Question: trouble controlling level of steam heat - can I close off the radiator

My building uses steam heaters. I have no control over the heat in my unit because the thermostat is controlled by my landlord/owner who lives above me. However I have a small 1 bedroom with two heating units so even with all of the windows open, it can still get very hot. Is it okay for me to completely close the "open/close" black knob valves on my units or will that cause problems for the whole system? My landlord had previously told me not to touch the valves... Emily 12/10/12

Reply:

Yes if the radiator control knob is not jammed or frozen you can try closing it partly or fully; radiator control knobs are intended to be a homeowner-resident-operator control. But if the knob is not easy to turn, don't force it as you might end up with a leak.

Question: hissing boiler

I have 2 yr. Boiler. It hisses like venting steam off and on loudly. Seems like when heat comes on venting starts until off. -Mr. Ed 12/28/12

Reply:

Steam boilers include steam valves that hiss; we need more details.

Question: leaky relief valve

I am having a pressure problem and it looks like one of my relief valve is leaking or letting the pressure out would this keep my boiler from running. It seems to be shutting off and I need to set the pressure all the time. is it as simple as changing the valve and resetting the Pressure? Rick 1/3/2013

Reply:

See RELIEF VALVE LEAKS for procedures to diagnose and fix leaky TP relief valves.

Question: 28 psi and water coming out of my return on my American Standard boiler

II have a pressure of 28 psi and water is coming out of my return how can i lower the water pressure from my steam American standard boiler - Ronald 1/13/2013

Reply: 28 psi on residential steam heat is very unusual, probably unsafe - shut the system off

Ronald,

Watch out: If your heater is a residential steam heating system it is operating at an abnormally high temperture and is unsafe. Turn the system off immediately and call your heating service company.

If your heater were a residential hot water heating boiler (hydronic heat) its pressure might be close to the upper end of normal operating pressure - and the leak at the valve could be due to a valve problem or to any of quite a few other causes. See RELIEF VALVE LEAKS for procedures to diagnose and fix leaky TP relief valves. See the links just below for information on how the steam heating system pressure is controlled and set.

Question: the gray box on my steam boiler is set under 2 psi but the boiler pressure is 7-8 psi. Is this normal and safe?

the gray box on my steam boiler is set low (less than 2psi) but the glass pressure gauge is reading 7 or8 at times. Is this normal /safe? - Brian 11/21/12

Reply:

Brian,

One wouldn't expect a boiler to blow up at 14 psi, but I agree that the system is not set nor operating at safe normal pressures. I suggest calling a service tech promptly.

Usually residential systems operate at lower pressures, less than 1 psi, often around 0.2 to 0.4 psi. Since your steam boiler pressure control valve is set under 2 psi and the boiler pressure is way over that, and assuming that your steam boiler gauge is working and not "stuck" at an abnormal reading (STEAM PRESSURE GAUGE), the problem may be the pressure control valve itself. See PRESSURE SWITCH, STEAM BOILER.

We discuss how to set heating system pressures for both hydronic boilers and steam boilers over at PRESSURE & TEMPERATURE SETTINGS, CONTROLS

Also see RELIEF VALVES - STEAM TP VALVES.

Reader follow-up: changing out the steam pressure control valve did the trick

got the tech. he took off the gray box on my newly installed williamson boiler (2 weeks ago) and replaced it with the one from my older rotted out 12 year old burnham! both gray boxes are honeywell and seem to be identical. works ok now. go figure!

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Questions & answers or comments about residential steam heating system controls, valves, gauges

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
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  Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
Steam Boiler Inspection, Diagnosis, Repair books at the InspectAPedia bookstore - Amazon.com
The Steam Book, 1984, Training and Education Department, Fluid Handling Division, ITT [probably out of print, possibly available from several home inspection supply companies] Fuel Oil and Oil Heat Magazine, October 1990, offers an update, (see next item in this list). ITT Fluid Technology, 1133 Westchester Avenue
White Plains, NY 10604, tel +1 914 304 1700 fax +1 914 696 2950 www.ittfluidbusiness.com
Principles of Steam Heating, $13.25 includes postage. Fuel oil & Oil Heat Magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004.
The Lost Art of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, 516-579-3046 FAX
Principles of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, technical editor of Fuel Oil and Oil Heat magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004 ($12.+1.25 postage/handling).
"Residential Steam Heating Systems", Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
The Heat Efficiency of Steam Boilers, Bryan Donkin
Steam Boiler Operation, Principles & Practice, James J. Jackson
Fuel Oil & Oil Heating Magazine, 3621 Hill Rd., Parsippany, NJ 07054, 973-331-9545
Domestic and Commercial Oil Burners, Charles H. Burkhardt, McGraw Hill Book Company, New York 3rd Ed 1969.
National Fuel Gas Code (Z223.1) $16.00 and National Fuel Gas Code Handbook (Z223.2) $47.00 American Gas Association (A.G.A.), 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209 also available from National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269. Fundamentals of Gas Appliance Venting and Ventilation, 1985, American Gas Association Laboratories, Engineering Services Department. American Gas Association, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209. Catalog #XHO585. Reprinted 1989.
The Steam Book, 1984, Training and Education Department, Fluid Handling Division, ITT [probably out of print, possibly available from several home inspection supply companies] Fuel Oil and Oil Heat Magazine, October 1990, offers an update,
Principles of Steam Heating, $13.25 includes postage. Fuel oil & Oil Heat Magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004.
The Lost Art of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, 516-579-3046 FAX
Principles of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, technical editor of Fuel Oil and Oil Heat magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004 ($12.+1.25 postage/handling).
"Residential Steam Heating Systems", Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
"Residential Hydronic (circulating hot water) Heating Systems", Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Volume I, Heating Fundamentals,
Boilers, Boiler Conversions, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23389-4 (v. 1) Volume II, Oil, Gas, and Coal Burners, Controls, Ducts, Piping, Valves, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23390-7 (v. 2) Volume III, Radiant Heating, Water Heaters, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps, Air Cleaners, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23383-5 (v. 3) or ISBN 0-672-23380-0 (set) Special Sales Director, Macmillan Publishing Co., 866 Third Ave., New York, NY 10022. Macmillan Publishing Co., NY
Installation Guide for Residential Hydronic Heating Systems
Installation Guide #200, The Hydronics Institute, 35 Russo Place, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
The ABC's of Retention Head Oil Burners, National Association of Oil Heat Service Managers, TM 115, National Old Timers' Association of the Energy Industry, PO Box 168, Mineola, NY 11501. (Excellent tips on spotting problems on oil-fired heating equipment. Booklet.)
McDonnell & Miller Controls - XYLEM Global Headquarters, 1133 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NY 10604, Tel: +1-914-323-5700, Fax: +1-914-323-5800
Links to our list of additional information on heating system inspection, repair, maintenance
...

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

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Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd

Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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Steam Heat Guide: Steam Heating Controls & Gauges InspectAPedia® -

Steam Heating Systems Guide: Controls Found on Residential Steam Heating Systems

List & Photographs of All Controls found on Steam Heating Systems

Steam Boiler pressure controls:

Five Common Safety Devices on a Steam Heating Boiler

Function of the Hartford Loop safety piping arrangement on steam boilers

Photo Guide to the Steam Boiler Sight Glass

Photo Guide to the Steam Boiler Pressure Control Safety Switch

Photo Guide to Steam Boiler Low Water Cutoff Valves

Photo Guide to Steam Boiler Automatic Water Feeders

Identification & Repair of Relief Valves on Steam Boilers

Photos of Steam Traps on Residential Steam Heating Systems

Steam Vents on Residential Heating Systems

Condensate Return Pumps & Condensate Systems on Residential Steam Heating Systems

Steam Boiler Pressure Gauge and Normal Pressure Ranges

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Steam Heating Boiler Controls: installation, diagnosis, repair

Question: is replacing the steam boiler sight glass difficult?

Reply:

Question: proper setting for a Honeywell PA-404-A 1099 Presstrol on a steam boiler

Reply:

Question: steam pipe configuration question at the boiler

Reply: steam pipe header

Question: steam boiler parts identification

Reply:

Question: where do I add water to my furnace

Reply:

Question: My steam boiler seems to be taking more water than usual

Reply:

Question: I need to prepare for a steam boiler license and want book recommendations

Reply:

Question:

Reply:

Question: water drips out of the air valve at the bottom of the tank

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Question: what are those red knobs above and below the sight glass on my steam boiler and which way do I turn them

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Question: radiator banging noise repair procedure

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Question: relief valve is leaking

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Question: too-high steam pressure traced to a blocked sensor on steam pressure control

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Question: trouble controlling level of steam heat - can I close off the radiator

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Question: hissing boiler

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Question: leaky relief valve

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Question: 28 psi and water coming out of my return on my American Standard boiler

Reply: 28 psi on residential steam heat is very unusual, probably unsafe - shut the system off

Question: the gray box on my steam boiler is set under 2 psi but the boiler pressure is 7-8 psi. Is this normal and safe?

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Reader follow-up: changing out the steam pressure control valve did the trick

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