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Automatic water feeder on steam boiler (C) Daniel FriedmanWater Feeder Valves on Steam Heating Boilers

Types of water feeders & how they work
Steam boiler water feeder manuals & instructions

  • POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about how and when to use and maintain the water feed valve on steam boilers; diagnosis of causes of steam boiler over-filling or water feed valves that don't shut off.

Water feeder valves on steam heating boilers:

Automatic & manual water feeders. Here we explain the various types of manual and automatic water feeder valves used on steam heating boilers, including when and how to add makeup water to a boiler.

Keeping the proper amount of water in a steam boiler is a critical function for both safety and to avoid damaging the boiler itself.

So on a steam boiler we consider the automatic water feeder to serve as a safety device too.

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

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Steam Boiler Water Feeder Valves, Automatic & Manual

Steam boiler sight glassThe photo at page top shows a modern automatic pressure-reducing water feeder valve on a hydronic (hot water) heating boiler - one of the safety controls which we discuss in this article. Contact us to suggest text changes and additions and, if you wish, to receive online listing and credit for that contribution.

Our photo at left shows the steam boiler sight glass - a key place to look when checking that the steam boiler water level is set properly.

More information about using the sight glass to maintain steam boiler water levels is included in the article below.

Article Contents

Water feed valves on steam heat systems operate under very different requirements than those on hot water (hydronic) heating systems.

Residential steam heating systems are mostly "low pressure" systems operating at less than 2 psi.

In fact if you see the pressure set higher on a residential system it is often an indicator that the occupants/technician have been having trouble getting the steam heat to locations where it's needed.

But steam heat systems all consume some water which escapes from radiator air vents during the time that the steam (heat) is first rising in the building.

So unlike a hydronic water feeder, the steam boiler water feeder is going to be much busier, regularly adding makeup water to the steam boiler, but operating at low water pressures.

Automatic water feeder valves on steam boilers

Automatic water feed valves on steam boilers such as the McDonnell & Miller™ automatic water feeder shown below and the Hydrolevel Co. VXT 120 programmable water feeder in the second photo afterwards both perform functions similar to the water feed valve described

at WATER FEEDER VALVE, HYDRONIC BOILER and used on hydronic (not steam) heating boilers.

But while a hydronic boiler does not normally consume water, a steam boiler always consumes water during normal operation. This means that some method for checking and keeping water in the boiler is critical both for safety and to assure against loss of heat.

ITT McConnell & Miller Steam boiler water feeder manual and control cited & discussed at InspectApedia.com

Above: the McDonnell & Miller™ automatic water feeder

A steam boiler will be damaged or unsafe if its water level falls too low. The water feed valve on a steam boiler has to operate more often, and will be a more heavy-duty (and probably reliable) device than that used on hot water heating system boilers.

Below: the Hydrolevel Co. VXT 120 programmable water feeder

Steam boiler water feeder Hydrolevel VXT-120 manual, cited & discussed at InspectApedia

What's the Difference Between the Two Water Feeders Shown Above?

Each of the devices shown in the two photos above is a water feed valve. On a signal (normally from the low water cutoff valve) the water feed valve will open to send additional makeup water into the steam boiler.

The McDonnell & Miller float operated water feed valve will automatically send water into the steam boiler if water falls sufficiently to activate its float.

The piping and position of the valve determine how it maintains water level in the boiler. The yellow-handled manual ball-type valve in our photo at above left is a water feed bypass for manual water feeding - a step that we discuss just below.

The VXT Programmable Water Feeder from Hydrolvel is a universal control that can be used with just about any float-type low water cutoff.

Models are sold that operate on both 24-Volt and 120-Volt power. The digital display we see in the unit above is a count of the amount of water that has been added to the boiler.

That information can be helpful in diagnosing boiler leaks or excessive water usage - two conditions that are especially important in the life of a steam boiler, but that are concerns on any water-based heating system. The following information is adapted from the Hydrolevel Company's product literature cited atReferences or Citations .

Really? while we have not found reliable research nor an authoritative citation, we have read some heating website authors' posts describing buzzing and product failures in the Hydrolevel VXT unit. Other installers acclaimed the unit. [9]

Also see CHECK VALVES, HEATING SYSTEM where we discuss backflow preventers that may be required on some steam heating system water feeders.

Manual water feeder valves on steam boilers

Water feed valve override button © D Friedman at InspectApedia.com

In our photo just above, a close up of our page-top photo, you can see a black "manual water feed" button on the top of the automatic water feed valve - labeled "PUSH TO HAND FEED".

This button permits overriding the automatic feature of the valve to force water into the steam boiler.

But on lots of steam boilers, especially older residential units, you may find that only a manual feeder valve is installed. You'll need to use it to manually add water to the steam boiler whenever its water level is low.

Below we discuss the detailed procedure for manually adding water to a steam boiler.

In our photo above at automatic water feed valves, an automatic water feeder is installed. But the yellow valve handle is an manual water feeder that will bypass the automatic water feeder and force water into the boiler.

On this particular system you shouldn't need to use the manual feeder lever unless the automatic feed valve is broken.

As you'll see in that photo, the yellow handle is in the horizontal position, "across" the water pipe, showing that it is in the "closed" position (we're depending on the automatic feed valve).

How often you'll need to manually add water to a steam boiler that lacks an automatic feeder depends on how rapidly your particular steam heating system loses water.

If you are new to your particular steam heat system, you should check it's water level (and flush the low water cutoff valve) at least weekly until you know more accurately how the heating system behaves in normal use.

Steam heating systems without an automatic water feeder are less safe and risk serious boiler damage should boiler water be lost and should there be no low water cutoff installed on the system. That's why all modern steam heating boilers can be expected to include at least a low water cutoff valve.

Low water cutoff valves & blowdown valves, an important safety device that shuts down the boiler if water level falls to an unsafe position, are discussed in detail along with step by step instructions in using the blowdown valve

at LOW WATER CUTOFF VALVES.

Separately, at LOW WATER CUTOFF VALVE NOT WORKING we describe the steps recommended by Hydrolevel if that company's CycleGard LWCO is not responding properly to low water levels in the boiler.

When, How, & How Much Water to Add to a Steam Boiler

Steam boiler sight glass

If your steam boiler has an automatic water feeder you should see the water level always close to the fill-mark and the automatic water makeup valve will normally do this job for you.

When to add water to the steam boiler

If your steam boiler has only a manual valve for adding water, until you know the system's rate of water usage, you should

check the water level at least once a week during the heating season.

You'll want to add water whenever the sight glass shows that the water level has dropped to the "add" mark

and

Watch out: you should always see some water in the sight glass. Don't run your boiler if no water is visible in the sight glass as doing so can damage it and may also be unsafe.

How much water to add to the steam boiler

The sight glass on a steam boiler,

 combined with a mark or gauge usually placed on the sight glass or on the boiler body behind the glass, will show the proper level to which the steam boiler should be re-filled when it's low on water.

Details are

at SIGHT GLASS, STEAM BOILER - a key component that shows when boiler make-up water is needed and how much to add manually.

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. This website answers nearly all questions about central heating systems to aid in troubleshooting, inspection, diagnosis, and repairs.

 

Steam Boiler Water Feeders References & Manuals

Illustrated: ITT McDonnell & Miller WFE Electric water feeder control, cited below along with a llink to the company and to the instructions for this and other water feeder valves and controls. .

 

Hydrolevel Hydrostat 3000 Control instructions, manual cited & discussed at InspectApedia

Hydrolevel Hydrostat LWCO and Tempeature Limit Control Manual, cited & discussed at InspectApedia.com

Hydrolevel HydroStat 4200 Gas Boiler Control manual cited & discussed at InspectApedia

 

 

McDonnell & Miller ITT WFE 24V Automatic electric water feeder valve - at InspectApedia.com

 

...


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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

What do I do if my steam boiler's water feeder won't shut off?

Automatic water feeder not shutting off - On 2020-10-26 by Enal

Advice by (mod) - Automatic water feeder not shutting off

If flushing the low water cutoff and turning the water supply off and back on don't stop the water feeder problem then the feeder is damaged and needs replacement.

Meanwhile, waiting for repair, you can shut off the manual supply valve that's ahead of the automagic water feeder, so as to stop flooding the steam boiler.

But if you do that,

Watch out: if you turn off water to the boiler you will need to check the boiler water level frequently, no less than daily, and in the first day I'd check maybe every 6-8 hours to be sure that when the boiler needs water (check the sight glass and the fill line marked on the boiler) you can SLOWLY add make-up water to the boiler.

See STEAM BOILER WATER FEEDER VALVE MANUALS


What are symptoms of a failed automatic water feeder valve on a steam boiler?

If the feed valve is bad, will it let water pass through even if it turned off tight?

I think my water feed valve is bad. I have to bleed my psi down every other day set at 12 psi.

The next day it at 24 psi and it was not running heat is off I turn the valve off think the valve is letting water in. On 2020-10-23 by willie

Answer by (mod) - here's how a water feed valve may fail, but watch out too for flooding boilers due to a slow condensate return

Willie

Yes if you close any water valve completely it ought to stop water flow but if the valve is damaged, pitted, or has lost an internal washer it may still leak.

But 12 and 24 psi pressures are NOT describing a steam boiler - the subject of this page.

You must have a hydronic or hot water heating system (hot water baseboards or radiators not steam radiators).

Those water feeders can leak but another cause of creeping up pressure in a hot water boiler is a leaky tankless coil.

See TANKLESS COIL INTERNAL LEAKS INTO the BOILER

The automatic water feeder valve can fail in several ways - listed below, though I've found these overall a reliable control.

The water feeder may not feed water when it should

The water feeder may feed water when it should not

The water feeder may feed water to a higher pressure than wanted

But

Watch out: excessive water in a boiler may not be due to a bad water feeder valve. It could be caused by a clogged or slow condensate return line to the boiler. The result is a flooded steam boiler.

See details at STEAM BOILER FLOODING / SURGING REPAIR 


What do I do if my automatic water feed valve isn't feeding water?

I have to manually raise the water level twice a day when does this me And? On 2020-02-15 by Monica haskin

Advice by (mod) - call for service: flush the low water cutoff valve.

If your steam boiler has an automatic water feed valve then it's not working.

Sometimes it's simply a matter of flushing debris. But if you are using the low water cutoff flush system intended for Homeowner operation and it's making no difference to your system then it's time to call for repair by your heating service tech

Steam boiler auto water feed not working

The steam boiler water feeder auto feature is not working. Now what do I do? - On 2019-10-10 by Anonymous

Answer by (mod) - when to replace the steam boiler water feeder valve

Anon:

If flushing and cleaning the low water cutoff valve LWCO doesn't fix the problem
and

if you are certain that the water supply to the boiler is on and not blocked
and

if you are certain that the water feeder has electrical power (if your water feeder uses electricity)
then

the water feeder needs repair or replacement

Water feeder stuck in "dwell" mode, doesn't feed

Like I said I did this and the auto feeder never gets out of dwell..it stays in dwell and does not feed..Also as I said we swapped the electronic part of the feeder with a brand new one and had the same result..also the LWCO in brand new On 2019-02-21 by rick

Simple advice by (mod) -

Rick

DId you take a look at the test suggestions in the water feeder manual?

I suspect the control isn't set properly


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.

See STEAM BOILER FLOODING / SURGING REPAIR

 

Why does water in the steam boiler sight glass fall below the line every few days?

Is it normal for the manual water feeder on a gas furnace to go below the line every few days? my furnace level seems to go below the line and shut off and I have to fill it about every 3 days. On 2017-01-21 by Sue

Explanation by (mod) - frequent adding of water by manual feed valve to a steam boiler is needed vs normal steam boiler water use

Normal steam boiler operation: steam boilers do consume water,

so assuming we're discussing a steam heating system that uses a manual water feeder, and that NO automatic water feed valve is installed, then you should be checking the water level in the boiler frequently, possibly even daily in very cold weather.

Ask your heating service company to check the installation of your heating system, to tell you whether or not an automatic water feed valve is present (but not working?), and if there is none, consider installing such a valve.

Watch out: failure to keep sufficient water in a steam boiler can cause it to be destroyed or to become unsafe.


Should the boiler be cold when adding make-up water using a Manual Water Feed?

Do you have to have the boiler off and cold to add water or should it be hot and running to add water? On 2018-02-22 by Sean

by (mod) - You can add water to a hot boiler SLOWLY but WATCH OUT

You can add water to a hot boiler but WATCH OUT: don't add much nor too fast or some boilers (cast iron in particular) could be cracked - costly or ruinous damage.

If you have to add water to a hot boiler, add it SLOWLY and you'll be ok.

See WATER FEEDER VALVES

 

Thank you to our readers for their generous comments

This is a fabulous service, especially for home maintenance novices like me. Many thanks. On 2015-12-03 by Judy

Thanks for the quick response. You've been a big help. Appreciate everything - Dan G.

...

Continue reading at STEAM BOILER SIGHT GLASS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see WATER FEEDER VALVE, STEAM FAQs - questions and answers posted originally on this page, for more diagnosis and repair help with water feed valves on steam boilers

Or see WATER FEEDER VALVE, VXT-24 FAQs if your water feeder is a Hydrolevel VXT-24 programmable water feed valve

Or see these

Recommended Articles

Suggested citation for this web page

WATER FEEDER VALVE, STEAM at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to STEAM BOILERS

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

  • McDonnell & Miller Controls - XYLEM Global Headquarters, 1133 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NY 10604, Tel: +1-914-323-5700, Fax: +1-914-323-5800
  • Hydrolevel Company, "VXT™ Programmable Water Feeder", [product literature brochure], Hydrolevel Co., PO Box 1847, New Haven CT 06508 USA, Tel: 203-776-0473, Tel: 800-654-0768, Website www.hydrolevel.com, retrieved 1/25/2014, original source: http://www.hydrolevel.com/new/images/literature/ sales_sheets/VXT_sales_sheet.pdf
  • "Hydrolevel VXT Failures", HeatingHelp.com, retrieved 1/25/2014, original source: heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/139729/Hydrolevel-VXT-Failures
  • Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Mr. Cramer serves on the ASHI Home Inspection Standards. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
  • John Cranor [Website: /www.house-whisperer.com ] is an ASHI member and a home inspector (The House Whisperer) is located in Glen Allen, VA 23060. He is also a contributor to InspectApedia.com in several technical areas such as plumbing and appliances (dryer vents). Contact Mr. Cranor at 804-873-8534 or by Email: johncranor@verizon.net
  • 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,
  • 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).
  • 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,
  • 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
  • In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested

    CONTINUE READING or RECOMMENDED ARTICLES.

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