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Conversion Burner Firing Rate

Paul48
Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
I have an 11 year old Smith 8 series, 5 section,DHW, oil-fired boiler that I am considering converting to gas and have a couple questions.

1. Is this boiler a good candidate for conversion?

2. Would I have it fired at the rate based on the Heat-Loss?

3.Given the mass of this boiler, would firing it lower create any problems?

4.Anyone know a good contractor in So. Connecticut (New Haven County)?

Comments

  • Tim McElwain
    Tim McElwain Member Posts: 4,612
    To answer your questions

    1. Is this boiler a good candidate for conversion?Yes!



    2. Would I have it fired at the rate based on the Heat-Loss?



    It is always a good idea to have a heat loss and a determination of lineal feet of baseboard or EDR of steam done. If the boiler is typical it is probably oversized. Everyone here knows I am not a big fan of firing boilers at a reduced rate but it can be done. I would limit it to 10% as far as a reduction goes.





    3.Given the mass of this boiler, would firing it lower create any problems?



    It depends on the size of the dwelling and if you are going to still get domestic hot water from the boiler.





    4.Anyone know a good contractor in So. Connecticut (New Haven County)? Let me check on that for you.Reply
  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
    Thanks Tim

    The boiler is over-sized, based on the heat-losses that I have done, but not horribly.The house is an old gravity conversion and the boiler does not have short cycling issues. I would have no problem with firing at the same rate as oil, and save the 50% with gas. It has a Carlin ez-1 on it now, and I figured they'd use a Carlin ez-gas.It now, ( as oil), exhausts to a relined flue,with a gas water heater exhausting over that.

    I know...I said the boiler was used for DHW, and it is. The water is fed through the boiler to the gas hot water heater.We have 4 adults in the house, and 3 kids approaching their teen years, and enough hot water to fill a swimming pool, if needed.Pictures of this system definately would not make it into any magazine, but it's solid and functional.Thanks for your help!

    Paul
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    edited March 2012
    The 8 series boilers

    could be fired at two different rates on oil. But on gas, they only can use the lower of those two rates. Do you know what nozzle size and pump pressure are used on your EZ-1? 
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
    edited March 2012
    Thanks

    It's a 1.10B nozzle, and off hand I can't remember the pressure. I'm not at the house now, but will try to check it tonight.O.K...I just remembered....It's an ez-1 HP.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    It's probably at 150 PSI

    at least that's what the Carlin OEM spec manual says. A 1.10 at 150 PSI results in a firing rate of 1.35-1.40 GPH depending on whose charts you read. That's the "lower" firing rate for the 5-section series 8 boiler- the higher is 1.7 GPH.



    So an EZ-Gas can be fired at the same rate you are now using.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
    Thank You

    Honestly, I think if it were the high, I could have fired it low based on the tentative Heat Loss of 100,000 btu's. EDR totalling a little over 95000 btu's. Some idiot that looks just like me, removed a cast-iron radiator from the kitchen because it took up too much space (major mistake). I'll take care of the cold spots in the spring.

    One thing I did notice was that the ez-gas could be purchased with a optional pedestal. Does that mean that it requires some type of support? It looks like a large burner, but pictures may be deceptive.

    Once again......Thanks for taking the time to look at my situation and respond. If my father was still around, I'd have bought him a laptop just so he could read        "The Wall". He would have loved it.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    You can order the EZ-Gas

    with a welded-on flange that will fit your Smith. I don't know the part # or the # you would use for ordering a burner with that flange, but you can call Carlin to get it. 
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
This discussion has been closed.