The Lost Art Of Steam Heating

This was my first book and a true labor of love. I spent decades studying steam and the work of Dead Men, in both old buildings and on library shelves. I traveled the country, haunting used-book stores, looking for engineering books that held the answers to questions that nagged at me. I was obsessed with this topic, and when I finally sat to write, I poured all that I had learned into this book, and as I wrote, I tried my best to make the words sound good to you - like we were together and having a conversation. I wanted you to know what I know and I wanted you to be able to do what I can do when it comes to old steam systems. This book arrived in 1992 and has since gone though dozens of printings. We've sold it in every state as well as in foreign countries. Steam heat is everywhere there are old buildings, so why shouldn't you be the one with the answers? Dan Holohan

Dan Holohan has been studying the steam-heating systems in older American buildings since 1970. In 1992, he wrote the predecessor to this book, The Lost Art of Steam Heating, which has gone through dozens of printings and sold tens of thousands of copies in every U.S. state and Canada. With this book, Dan is revisiting a subject he loves to add all that he's learned during the 25 years since The Lost Art of Steam Heating first appeared. He's older and wiser now, and he still tells a great story. If you liked the first version, you're going to love this one.

If you're a homeowner with steam heat, know that I wrote this one for you. If you'd like to fix uneven heat and squirting air vents or want to reduce your fuel bills and silence clanging pipes, then arm yourself with this book and smile. This is not a do-it-yourself book. Here's what you'll learn: How your steam-heating system works (and why it might not) What each component does (or what it's supposed to do) Why high pressure in a steam-heating system won't work How the choice of fuels can affect your system What causes all that noise (and how to get ride of it once and for all) Simple ways to lower your fuel bill What you can do yourself When you should keep your hands in your pockets How to find a steam-heating pro (and how to avoid the knuckleheads) Things that should be in every contract you sign for steam-heating work The right questions to ask when replacing a boiler How to fix, move, clean, paint and/or replace an old radiator How to have a hot-water zone added to your steam-heating system How to know if you can have your steam-heating system converted to hot-water heat And a whole lot more Arm yourself with this book. You will not be sorry. Dan Holohan

I wrote this book to describe the beautiful workings of hydronic heating systems and I tried to use words that made the subject spring to life in a visual way. It's been one of my best-selling books for years. I kept the drawings simple. Even if you've never worked with hydronics before, you'll be able to follow these drawings. The first part deals with boiler-room piping and explains how you can put the discoveries of the late, great Gil Carlson to work for you. If you pipe Gil's way, you'll save time, money and never again have to bleed radiators. Thousands of installers have reported great success by following the principles in the first part of this book. I wish I could take credit but the genius was Gil Carlson's. I just did my best to tell his story in plain English. The second half of the book takes the "Pumping Away" boiler-room piping design and applies it to a delicious menu of piping options. This is a book that you'll refer to again and again. It will save you time and money. And I guarantee that. - Dan Holohan

I was fortunate to have had the late, great Gil Carlson as one of my teachers. He invented primary-secondary pumping in the early '50s and went on to do many other things. Over the years, I've watched a lot of trial and error with primary-secondary heating systems. That's a shame because guesswork costs both time and money. In this book, I've used what Gil taught me to show you how to reduce the size of your pipes, valves, fittings and pumps, and how to lower heating system temperature, and all without sacrificing performance or getting into trouble. This book covers two-pipe primary-secondary heating systems, as well as one-pipe heating systems. It shows how to get the most out of two-, three-, and four-way valves, as well as injection pumping. I also give you lots of options for your boiler-room piping (for both single- and multiple-boiler systems). It's loaded with diagrams and I went easy on the math because you may not be an engineer (and neither am I). This book will save you time and money and keep you out of trouble. It is not a primer, but it is easy to understand. - Dan Holohan