A central heating system provides warmth to the number of spaces within a building and optionally also able to heat domestic hot water from one main source of heat.A steam heating system takes advantage of the high latent heat which is given off when steam condenses to liquid water.
source/image(PrtSc): The Engineering Mindset
In a steam heating system, each room is equipped with a radiator which is connected to a source of low-pressure steam (a boiler). Steam entering the radiator condenses and gives up its latent heat, returning to liquid water.Learn the basics of how steam heating systems work and where steam heating systems are used.Learn the basics of how steam heating systems work and where steam heating systems are used.
The radiator in turn heats the air of the room, and provides some direct radiant heat. The condensate water returns to the boiler either by gravity or with the assistance of a pump. Some systems use only a single pipe for combined steam and condensate return.Steam heating system basics.
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Since trapped air prevents proper circulation, such systems have vent valves to allow air to be purged. In domestic and small commercial buildings, the steam is generated at relatively low pressure, less than 15 psig (200 kPa).Steam heating systems are rarely installed in new single-family residential construction owing to the cost of the piping installation. Pipes must be carefully sloped to prevent trapped condensate blockage./The Engineering Mindset
