Everything you ever wanted to know about steam heating in one easy-to-understand book. There, that's as straight as I can put it. I spent five years researching The Lost Art of Steam Heating, and believe me, it was a labor of love. Those were the days when I first met the Dead Men. I found them waiting in old bookstores all across America. They sat on dusty shelves and called down to me. "Psst," they said. Up here! We've got a lot to tell you, kid."

I read those books long into the night - night after night. I couldn't get enough of those stories of the days when central heating was new. I compared one book to another and marveled at how well the Dead Men explained themselves. I also watched as the systems changed over time, and as the theories sharpened themselves into well-accepted principles.

I remember reading a Dead Man's passage about steam pressure one day. He mentioned how systems work better when the pressure is kept low, and he explained why this is so. That passage was the key that allowed me to finally see what was going on within these old systems. So many of the other aspects fell into place that day, and I was finally able to sit down and write.

I wrote for a year, and then rewrote for another six months. I wanted The Lost Art of Steam Heating to sound like a conversation between you and me. The Lost Art of Steam Heating contains hundreds of drawings and photographs. In one chapter ("This Old Heating System") I cataloged and explained two dozen of the most common vapor/vacuum steam systems that the Dead Men installed between 1900 and 1930. These old systems were wonderfully simple, but you do need some guidance to get them working to their full potential. In this chapter you'll learn what to do - and what not to do.

The Lost Art of Steam Heating is 296 pages long. It measures 8-1/2" X 11", has a soft cover and a wonderful plastic spiral binding. You can fold it completely in half from any page, and it won't fall apart, even after years of use.

And like all our books, The Lost Art of Steam Heating comes with a 30-day, money-back guarantee.

We've been selling this book since 1992 and not one copy has ever comeback to us. There is nothing quite like The Lost Art of Steam Heating.

Dan Holohan

Reader Reviews:

"If you are new or old in the heating field you must read this book, it will totally amaze you at how much more you can learn. Dan is a master with words and has the ability to write in simple terms that anyone can understand, more importantly, he gets and keeps your attention throughout the book. I know that if you read this book you will go to his Web site and buy more of his books. Good Reading and Good Luck." - Wayne Spear

"This book is quite amazing. Many books provide a great deal of information on a particular subject without putting it in an understandable format. This book is extremely easy to read and will give you a good understanding of how steam heat operates. On top of that, the book is written in an entertaining fashion. I am currently upgrading the steam boiler on my house and feel this book gave me the knowledge I need make decisions regarding the upgrade." - D. Smith

"Simply an excellent book---there can be no better book on the design of Steam Heating Systems. Mr. Holohan deserves a standing ovation for this work of art." - Norman Allie

"Covers in detail one- and two-pipe systems of all types, and was a delight to read. Very easy to understand and filled with usefully information. I'm ordering another because I can't get mine back after lending it." - A Reader

"The book is easy to understand and allows a novice to troubleshoot and fix their own residential steam heating problems without calling-in a plumber, serviceman, or other so called expert to "crank up the pressuretrol" (worst thing you can do). This book comes highly recommended." - Ed Carr

"It must be considered the Flagship of Dan’s fleet. Not unlike his other books and articles. He is a master chef, mixing just the correct amounts of technical data, physics, history & story telling. Each book is an adventure, and you will never enjoy learning as much as you will with this one." - Jim Walls

"Eleven years ago, I bought an old brick house built in 1900. It had a steam system installed and I had no idea how to operate it....So in the first few months of ownership I managed to let the boiler run dry and the safety system didn't shut it down..... The boiler was ruined...cracked apart. I had very little money to hire in professionals. And, the few that did come out and try to patch the system, had no luck with it. A new boiler was mucho expensive, so I decided to look around for a used unit....even though I knew nothing about steam heating....I tried looking through any and every tech manual on HVAC for whatever information I could find....but, it was all very dry and technical, and assumed a lot of knowledge on my part. What a great day it was when my girlfriend came back from the public library with a copy of The Lost Art of Steam Heating! After reading that book from cover to cover a few times, I decided to tackle the job of installing a used Weil McClain boiler, all by myself. I was able to figure out that I had a two-pipe steam system, and the proper method for hooking up the replacement boiler. The system has been working like gang busters for eleven years... But, every time I've shown anyone my boiler installation, I've mentioned that there was this great, easy to understand book.....can't remember the title..... So, just today, I did a few searches and found The Lost Art of Steam Heating....and knew that must be the book! Even though, I might never need to work on my boiler like that again, I am so happy to get another copy of your book for two reasons....one, because it is also an entertaining read, and two, because, I'm more than happy to pay for the knowledge that I was able to get from the library for free eleven years ago. Thanks again for making it possible for an average Do-It-Yourselfer like me to successfully complete a job that even many professional HVAC techs wouldn't want to tackle!" - Eric Butler

"PS...Steam heat is the greatest...you can't even compare the comfort it gives to the more modern solutions of forced air or heat pump. I keep my house heat at 68 degrees in the winter...but often feel much warmer with my steam heat set that low, than I do at other people's force air heated homes, set at higher temperatures."