DIY Home Improvement Forum banner

What requires electricity?

2K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  Master of Cold 
#1 · (Edited)
Hello all,

I have a general question... during the recent power outage in NJ, my sisters steam heat system did not work. Her thermostat is battery powered. What part of this system would generally require electricity. Is it the ignition/modulation for the burner?

How much electricity would it take to keep this system going (is it very little?).
Assuming there is no pump, or fan connected to a steam system, it would seem that it wouldn't take much electricity to back this system up (?)
 
#4 ·
If there are no circulation or fuel pumps then you might be able to switch over to a standing pilot system using a thermopile and millivolt gas valve. The thermopile will generate the electricity needed to open the gas valve. A professional will need to asses the system to see if this is possible.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top