Compressed air central heating??????
Discussion
I'm staying with the wifes in-laws in New York, in their 1930's town house. Their central heating system is as old as the ark. I assumed it was hot water running through these big heavy old cast iron radiators, '50s style, and explained they could easily upgrade to slimline modern rads for very little expense....
Except now I notice one is pissing hot air out of a leak, and there is only one pipe going into each rad. I'm guessing it is superheated compressed air running into them, with a tiny bleed off to allow the air to flow.
Anybody ever seen anything like this?
Except now I notice one is pissing hot air out of a leak, and there is only one pipe going into each rad. I'm guessing it is superheated compressed air running into them, with a tiny bleed off to allow the air to flow.
Anybody ever seen anything like this?
King Herald said:
I'm staying with the wifes in-laws in New York, in their 1930's town house. Their central heating system is as old as the ark. I assumed it was hot water running through these big heavy old cast iron radiators, '50s style, and explained they could easily upgrade to slimline modern rads for very little expense....
Except now I notice one is pissing hot air out of a leak, and there is only one pipe going into each rad. I'm guessing it is superheated compressed air running into them, with a tiny bleed off to allow the air to flow.
Anybody ever seen anything like this?
Just answered my own question: Hydronics! Steam pumps through a pipe to each rad, and appears to vent off at the rad. I guess the hissing noise is it venting a little too much.Except now I notice one is pissing hot air out of a leak, and there is only one pipe going into each rad. I'm guessing it is superheated compressed air running into them, with a tiny bleed off to allow the air to flow.
Anybody ever seen anything like this?
http://www.burnham.com/why_hydronics.htm
It would appear that 'hydronics' is a super efficient system, but the boiler for this unit is bigger than your average UK fridge, and is tucked away in its own room in the basement.
Are you sure it is generated in the basement...'cos Manhatten and a few other places in NY have steam delivered via UG pipes.
It is, I think, a more efficient way of heating high rise buildings.
Quite an old system, I saw a documentary on it, they plug holes in the aging pipes every day.
It is, I think, a more efficient way of heating high rise buildings.
Quite an old system, I saw a documentary on it, they plug holes in the aging pipes every day.
jeff m said:
Are you sure it is generated in the basement...'cos Manhatten and a few other places in NY have steam delivered via UG pipes.
It is, I think, a more efficient way of heating high rise buildings.
Quite an old system, I saw a documentary on it, they plug holes in the ageing pipes every day.
This one had a new boiler several months ago, but the rest of the system is decades old. It is pure steam leaking from the one rad, and I've told the in-laws they really need to get all the rad checked out, as it is costing them money and could give 'em a nasty burn.It is, I think, a more efficient way of heating high rise buildings.
Quite an old system, I saw a documentary on it, they plug holes in the ageing pipes every day.
We were down in Manhattan last night, and it was interesting to see the steam leaking out through man hole covers and such in the road as you drive by, just like in the movies. Some were like a steam engine, pumping great clouds of it out, with a 'safety funnel' fitted to save cooking passers-by.
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