Most steam heaters, employing heat that comes from boilers, were put in homes built before the early 1950s. However, since then other forms of home heating, especially forced hot air heaters have replaced steam heaters. Today, steam heaters, are infrequently installed in new construction. Nevertheless, many older homes still employ steam heat, and steam heat is more popular in large buildings such as schools or larger rental properties. But for the householder wondering whether he should keep his old steam heater or install a new heater, it is important to know what are the advantages and disadvantages of steam heat.
There are several advantages in using the older steam heaters. Primarily, they have few moving parts, so they last longer. And for people who have dust allergies, steam heat provides clean dust free heat. Finally, many people like steam heaters because they fit the décor and period of older homes.
What are the disadvantages of steam heat? In general steam heat is less efficient. Steam heat is often noisy, and it warms unevenly. Steam heat requires a boiler, and is a little more dangerous to use than other forms of heating. Steam heat requires regular maintenance. Because steam heaters are rarely installed in new construction, there are not as many people capable of serving them. Steam heaters are slower to respond than forced air or hot water systems. Radiators can get very hot, and there is a danger of causing burns in children. And steam heating has a tendency to leak or make loud noises at night. Finally, because of the scarcity of maintenance personnel, stem heat is more expensive to service.
If for all that your steam heat system is working, and you don’t want to switch, you certainly can. If the system is struggling and not working properly, you’re probably better off investing in another type of heater such as a forced air furnace. Thanks to A-1 Plumbing of Baltimore a Baltimore plumbing for supplying this report.
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