How Does Steam Heat Work?

The idea of using steam to accomplish mechanical tasks began a revolution when it was first put to use. This idea is still being used today, but the application that most people are familiar with is the idea of steam heat.

Steam heat has been used to keep houses warm for decades.

Steam

Steam is described as the vapor phase of water. Water is turned from a liquid to a gas by heating it, and this vapor is called steam.

Creating Steam

In order to use steam heat, steam has to be created. This is done by using a boiler, which is a machine that heats water and turns it into heated steam that can then be used for other purposes.

Piping

Once the steam is created in a boiler, it is then piped through a building. With some heating systems the pipes are used to heat the floors and walls, and thus to warm a building's rooms.

Radiators

Another use of steam heat is to let the vapor out through a radiator. This radiator allows the steam to escape into a certain room, and to heat the air before it cools.

Hot Water

Many boilers may provide steam heat as well as hot water heating. The pipes must be kept separate to be sure that steam doesn't come out of a shower, or hot water out of a radiator, however.

References

• Steam Heat Definition
• Steam Heating System