Adding a zone to heating system

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Author Message   Sylad Citizen Username: Sylad Post Number: 77 Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Monday, December 8, 2003 - 2:01 pm:        Has anyone done this? I have a single zone steam system. I am curious to see how much it cost to add a second or third zone. I assume I would need to isolate the pipes to each zone, add valves and have each zone on a differnt feed from the boiler? Is is possible, practical? Any experience?   Michael K. Mc Kell Citizen Username: Greenerose Post Number: 136 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Monday, December 8, 2003 - 3:50 pm:        Careful of your unit size... BTU's vrs Sq. Ftg. More then likely one more zone wont hurt. It's not tremendously difficult to do. Do you have steam heat? If so DO NOT ATTEMPT. Very finiky. Michael K. Mc Kell   Sylad Citizen Username: Sylad Post Number: 79 Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Monday, December 8, 2003 - 3:59 pm:        I do have steam. I am not adding more square feet, I just want to create multiple zones. I currently have one zone, one control, for my entire house.   Master Plvmber Citizen Username: Master_plvmber Post Number: 141 Registered: 3-2003 Posted on Monday, December 8, 2003 - 4:00 pm:        Are you talking about adding a baseboard zone off your steam boiler? I install many of these systems every year from existing steam boilers. They are very practical and comfortable and are generally an easy installation. The only time they get complicated is when the you want to install the new zone above the height of the boiler. However, I'm amazed at how many of these systems I see piped improperly. Done well, it's a good thing. Hot water, or hydronic, heating is an excellent way to warm a single room or an entire home. Some people talk about converting their homes to a complete hydronic system once they've experienced the comfort of their smaller added zones. My advice is to have it done if you can. If you're talking about splitting a one-pipe steam system into separate steam zones, then I'd say to reconsider and look into putting thermostats on each radiator. On the other hand, if you have a two-pipe or vapor system, then you have a better chance of successfully zoning the home. Master_Plvmber   tjohn Citizen Username: Tjohn Post Number: 1942 Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Monday, December 8, 2003 - 7:36 pm:        In my house, the previous owner had all of the steam radiators on the first floor of the house removed and replaced with hot water baseboard units that operate off of the same steam boiler that runs the steam radiators on the second and third floors. In effect, my first floor is on a separate zone from the second floor. I don't know if it is more efficient this way. I suppose it must be, because I don't have the heat the upstairs up my house except for once in the morning and once in the evening.