Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 30, 2000 11:55pm | #1

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   Er, if it's steam heat, you have a boiler, not a furnace.

   I'm not an expert, and I hope some of them will jump in, but my understanding is that steam heat pipes need to be insulated to prevent pre-mature condensation of the steam, and that should have been taken care of when the new boiler was installed.

   Are you sure you didn't wrap insulation around the flue pipe? (The pipe, typically 6", that goes from the boiler to the chimney) That _could_ be dangerous.

   There are several types/configurations of steam heat; I'd get a service person out to advise on what and where and how to insulate.

   If you haven't had the boiler serviced recently, get 'em out to service it and ask your question on insulationg then.

   Bob Walker

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 31, 2000 01:24am | #2

   *Sounds like good advice. Fiberglass without the kraft paper won't burn. I would wrap the pipes with something appropriate, whatever that is, in any event to decrease the risk of burning human flesh on accidental contact. Bob is right, it is the moment that steam condenses into water that it releases the most heat content, although its temperature actually does not change (in fact, a gram of water would have to drop 540° C in temp to equal the heat output of the steam-water phase change!)

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 31, 2000 10:47pm | #4

   *If you have steam heat, definitely wrap the basement pipes with insulation. The asbestous insulation was probably removed by the previous owner, and that's nice, but the system will not work as efficiently.I used EPFT foam pipe inuslation, which was kinda costly, and shrinks (mostly in length) from the high heat of steam pipes (the material is rated to 215F, so this is a borderline use - it is intended for hot water heat which is cooler. It looks like the stuff racers wrap on their roll cages, black plastic foam. DO NOT use the black Foam Rubber stuff (it feels really rubbery), it will bake and turn hard and fall off, no good for steam heat). The EPFT looks great and is really nice to live with. If your basement ceiling is low you will appreciate it everytime you accidently touch it (folding laundry, or hitting your forehead...). Also, there is pre-formed Fiberglass pipe wrap (commercial use) that should work well, give you a paintable surface and I think they even have elbows for all your fittings.While it is true that the un-covered steam pipes WILL warm the basement, and that this WILL warm the floors it is also releasing alot of your heat in the basement. Unfortunately for you, you won't know how much this is costing you until you already spend the money for insulation. But in my case, I found that the basement temperature went down almost 10 degrees F and my living space temperature went up several degrees. The 'warm floors' thing was no problem because the steam heat makes everything in the house feel warm (more so than forced air does). And there's nothing like that 'toasy towel' waiting for me after my morning shower! (steam heat rules!)

2. 
   suzyt | Jan 31, 2000 10:47pm | #3

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   I have a 4 year old gas furnace [steam heat]. last night i wrapped fiberglass insulation around the pipes that come directly from the furnace, in the hope that i will bring more heat into my house and less in the basement. Is it dangerous to do this ??? thanks for your help.