Indirect Heating Systems
In this video, Dan Holohan tells us about indirect heating. It is a method of heating that the old-timers used to warm fresh air before it entered a building. They placed...
Systems Help Center
Our comprehensive HVAC Systems Help Center covers a wide range of HVAC-related topics, including air conditioning and heat pumps, geothermal, hot-water heating, thermostats and controls, solar, steam heating, and warm air. We also have a section of informative and entertaining articles to help you sharpen your HVAC business skills. And our Heating Museum is a captivating journey through the evolution of HVAC technologies.
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Recent Articles
Steam Boiler Ratings Explained (Video)
In this video, Dan Holohan explains steam boiler ratings. When you look at a boiler manufacturer’s catalog, you’re going to see Input, D.O.E. Heating Capacity (Gross), an...
Why Many Old Steam-Heating Systems Are Oversized
In this video, Dan Holohan shares why many old steam-heating systems are oversized. The Spanish Influenza pandemic of 1918-19 had a huge impact on the development of hous...
Steven Gold's Mattress Radiator
Dan Holohan shares his knowledge about the first safe and successful steam radiator for house heating. Steven Gold patented his "mattress" radiator on October 3, 1854. It...
Technology
Our daughter, Erin, bought our business in 2016 when Marianne and I retired. Erin is of an age where she is more comfortable with technology than I am, and she was the br...
GE Atomizing Boiler
Here is some information about the GE Atomizing Boiler. The first part of this document comes from the 1960 Audel Oil Burner Guide, written by Frank Graham. The second pa...
Choosing The Trades
It’s four years ago, and 8th-grader Paige Knowles is walking down new corridors and thinking about her future. She’s able to get a glimpse of the different labs, but the ...
Spitting or Hissing Air Vents
Here are some reasons why the air vents are hissing or spitting water on your one-pipe steam heating system (and where to look for solutions). The system is dirty. Steam ...
The Pipes, The Pipes Are Calling!
If you look at the pipes in your old steam system you’ll notice that most of them are made of black steel. This was the standard in the old days. Nowadays, some contracto...
The Wedgie Factor
Comfort is a funny thing. When we have it, we’re usually not aware of it. It’s just there.