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Posted by Steve Garson on December 19, 2004 at 17:18:52:
My present 70 year old steam boiler is ready for replacement. My plumber suggests I eliminate the steam system and switch to hot water heat. The fact is, my steam system works perfectly, with no noise and good balanced comfort. My plumber says that hot water is so much more efficient, since you can modulate the water temp and you don't need to wait for the larger amount of water to be heated.
I appreciate the fact that hot water is more efficient, but what I need a grasp of is the relative payoff in running new returns to all the radiators to convert the one pipe steam to hot water. My radiators are suitable for water heat, with adequate EDR.
Does anyone have real experience as to the cost effectiveness of this conversion? Comfort is not the issue for me at all. Efficiency and Return on Investment is my goal.