Comments on: Energy conservation: Insulating steam pipes

By: paul

paul — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 19:39:22 +0000

Additionally, I suspect that the heat generated from the furnace alone would be enough to keep the basement relatively warm. That bad boy does get hot!

Judah, an interesting tool. I’m not sure it would work on a steam heat system, but I’d love to hear more about it.

By: Judah

Judah — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 19:05:06 +0000

Paul,

When I built, which we’re going to do again in MA, we used forced hot water and gas. On the unit, we installed a “primary” that would minimize energy usage across the heating loops. In other words, when I turned on the shower, the rest of house stopped circulating and pumped out just ambient heat. Then when I am done showering, it call kicks back on. I can look up the name of the little copper toy… it’s not necessary and $500 bucks, but whatever I can do to promote Momma Natura, I will do.

Be green!
Judah

By: Randye

Randye — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 17:37:31 +0000

But right now, our basement is often warmer than the upstairs –that’s a lot of wasted heat! And as for why it was never done before, as lovely as the previous owners were, they didn’t do a lot to the basement except ignore it. (You’ve seen how wet it gets down there.)

By: paul

paul — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 01:38:19 +0000

Good point! Someone mentioned that once, but I suspect–and hope–the odds are pretty slim.

By: Gil Emery

Gil Emery — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:13:10 +0000

I had considered doing the same thing over here, but my father
cautioned against it, because, believe it or not they do provide a
bit of heat to the basement. You don’t want it to get too cold down
there that it freezes your water pipes.

Not that it would, but something to consider. Think of why it was
never done before!