If you’ve already started the process, you’ve probably run into a wall of negativity because you have steam heat. Contractors are no different than anyone else: Things they don’t understand worry them. And steam is something they really don’t understand. Once upon a time, homes were renovated or additioned and nobody blinked at the steam heat. Today however you are likely to hear that keeping steam, or adding beautiful new steam radiators, is impossible. Instead they will pitch toe-kick heaters for the kitchen that never work, electric heat that costs a fortune, or a hot water loop off your steam boiler. In rare circumstances a steam boiler hot water loop is the correct answer. Their drawback is adding a great deal of complexity to a system whose main attribute is simplicity. Plus, those loops are not cheap, and often installed incorrectly. The best solution is to extend your steam heat to the new areas.
So relax, and keep things simple: Water boils, steam rises, cozy radiators heat. No moving parts, little to fail, nothing to freeze. That’s a good thing.
New England SteamWorks has the knowledge and expertise to keep your steam heating system throughout your home. Just be sure to invite us in early so we can work with your architect and/or designer before they get too far down the road. Steam does have some special considerations. but usually they are quite manageable…