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Old 01-31-11, 09:13 AM   #4
benpope
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Modern aquastats have two temperature settings--a high and a low--which lets the boiler reach its maximum temperature and then coast down to the low setting, thus preventing rapid cycling. I have an old boiler like you which only has the high setting, so it runs until the house gets up to temp and then cycles as the thermostat calls for heat.
Piowslaw's idea of adjusting the tolerance on the thermostat is a good one and would have a similar effect to having a "low" setting on your aquastat.

You guys have had some cold temperatures lately, so your house is losing heat more quickly than normal. Maybe you should get the snow plows to push snow around your house to turn it into an igloo . But seriously, if you can stand it you can turn down the thermostat. A lower delta T between inside and outside will mean less heat loss and fewer cycles. Barring that, it comes back to insulation and weatherization. Your money will be much better spent there than trying to mess with an 80 year old boiler. A higher R value will pay for itself no matter the heating system you use.
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