We have a bolier issue. When Charlie helped us light it a few weeks back it appeared to be working fine. I was a bit skeptical about the accuracy of the thermastat but we figured that could be dealt with.
Basically, we have a gas furnace that functions as a boiler to make steam that is sent to radiators which subsequently heats the house.
Over the weekend it appeared that the furnace wouldn't come on at all. On closer inspection last niight Micahel discovered (with charlie again participating by phone) that the water level was low hence the furnace would not light (at least that precaution works). He filled it to the proper level and it lit right up.
Now here's the big question. The water was at the proper level when we lit the pilot a couple of weeks back. Where did the water go? It wasn't intensely steamy nor do any of the radiators appear to be leaking (well no obvious signs of water damage).
On the up side, once it cranked back up it heated the house in no time at all.
The plan is to monitor it over the next few days and see if we can figure out what is going on. Eventually we need to have work done on it to install the new low profile exhaust so that we can remove the chimney on the second floor (gets in the way of the proposed stair run). Additionally, the inspector said it only had another year or so on it tops, and with the new square footage we may need more BTU's. Although, if were only adding another 15x24 room it seemed to be PLENTY of heat in our test run last night.
better make sure it works tonight. gonna be very, very chilly - in the 20's! yikes!
Posted by: douglas | 2004.11.09 at 13:18
The house on Dearborn Street had this problem and it turned out to be a problem with the valve that allows more water to go into the boiler --- then later it was a totally failure of the boiler -- so idunno.
Posted by: ivy | 2004.11.09 at 18:18
hmmmm,... sunny, warm california, is all i can say... oh wait, i live in san francisco.
good luck wit yur boiler, guys... looking forward to seeing this thang up close... xoxo.
Posted by: Rebecca | 2004.11.11 at 09:02
If you have looked into solar energy as a method for heating your home, panels are usually the first things that come up. There are, however, other unique methods.
The Solar Heating Aspect You Have Never Heard of Before
The power of the sun is immense. The energy in one day of sunlight is more than the world needs. The problem, of course, is how does one harness this power. Solar panels represent the obvious solution, but they have their downside. First, they can be expensive depending upon your energy needs. Second, they do not exactly blend in with the rest of your home.
Passive solar heating represents a panel free method of harnessing the inherent energy found in the sun for heating purposes. If you come out from a store and open the door of your car in the summer, you understand the concept of passive solar heating. A wide variety of material absorbs sunlight and radiates the energy back into the air in the form of heat. Passive solar heating for a home works the same way as the process which overheats your car in the parking lot.
Posted by: heating | 2007.03.01 at 14:33