Heating and Ventilating Systems 33

up of air in the system which reduces the heat transfer efficiency

of the system and may cause air binding in the heat exchanger. In
a steam heating system, water enters a heat conversion unit (a
heat exchanger, the boiler, etc.) and is changed into steam. When
the water is boiled, some air in the water is also released into the
steam and is moved along with the steam to the heat exchanger.
As the heat is released at the heat exchangers (and through pipe
radiation losses), the steam is changed into condensate water.
Some of the air in the piping system is absorbed back into the
water. However, much of the air collects in the heat exchanger
and must be vented.
Steam traps are classified as thermostatic, mechanical or
thermodynamic. Thermostatic traps sense the temperature differ-
ence between the steam and the condensate using an expanding
bellows or bimetal strip to operate a valve mechanism. Mechani-
cal traps use a float to determine the condensate level in the trap
and then operate a discharge valve to release the accumulated
condensate. Some thermodynamic traps use a disc which closes to
the high velocity steam and opens to the low velocity condensate.
Other types will use an orifice which flashes the hot condensate
into steam as the condensate passes through the orifice.

HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEMS

Hot water heating systems (Figure 3-4) transport heat by

circulating heated water to a designated area. Heat is released
from the water as it flows through the heating unit (coil, termi-
nal). After heat is released, the water returns to the boiler to be
reheated and recirculated. Low temperature hot water boilers are
≤ 250°F. High temperature hot water boilers are >250°F.

ADVANTAGES OF HOT WATER

HEATING OVER STEAM HEATING

Hot water heating systems produce heat more consistently

than steam heating systems. The water in a hot water heating
 34
HVAC Fundamentals
Figure 3-4. Hot Water Heating System