Best Of
Re: What is Boiler Draft, this weeks video
Here are a couple formulas to play with. The fixed output/on-off boiler or energy source vs the modulation.
hot_rod
Re: Have you cleaned the piping system for a converted gravity hot water space heating system?
that would be tough to calculate system volume on!
fill it up with a water meter connected to the fill valve might be the only way to get a close number?
But I don’t know of any cleaners that would dissolve rust and scale to flush it out
you would need some very high gpm flow to get 5 fps flow velocity in a 6” pipe. That is what it takes to get solids moving along
This company purges large systems like that, I met them at a IGSHP show years ago.
Their purge pumps start at 5 hp and go up to hundreds of hp!
hot_rod
Re: What is Boiler Draft, this weeks video
some systems get designed with buffer tanks to maximize efficiency and reduce cycling. Solid fueled boilers, large chillers are examples.
More and more we see heating and cooling equipment that can modulate, which helps reduce the buffer capacity required. Pellet and cordwood boilers now have some modulating capacity, so the buffer tank sizing has gotten smaller
There are always trade-offs. Large pressurized, insulated tanks are $$. Heat loss is a concern, space requirements also.
A buffer is an option for oversized boilers also, is the cost going to off set the poor efficiency, or extend the boilers life those are some of the decisions.
Micro and multi zoned systems with non modulating boilers are often a good match for a buffer tank.
Gravity systems with cast radiators had the buffer built into the distribution system. The boilers mass and large water content also are part of the buffer
The perfect hydronic boiler could modulate from no load to 100% load, think of a variable speed drill motor , now that would be ideal
hot_rod
Re: heating oil tank manufacturer's warranty voided by transfer of oil from the old tank?
Transfer the oil to the temporary tank and connect to the existing oil line to get the burner(s) running.
Install new oil tank with new oil line, filter, OSV, etc. to the burner. Plug the end of the oil line at the burner, and close valves.
Fill the new tank while someone is inside at the tank to observe there are no leaks during delivery.
When the temporary tank runs dry, call the service provider and they'll come to connect to the new tank. Replace the nozzle and strainer. Prime and start. Combustion test. Done.
HVACNUT
Re: What are the most well-established US manufacturers of residential electric boilers
it is not always the case that old heat emitters need high temperature supply.
Certainly not the entire heating season , if at all. Running some load numbers is the only way to know for sure
I have run cast radiators it 120f and you still feel the warmth radiating off them
Any time the iron is above ambient temperature it is giving off heat
hot_rod
Re: heating oil tank manufacturer's warranty voided by transfer of oil from the old tank?
Don’t pump it over. Its waste oil now. It’s right in the instructions. If your contractor wants to ignore it, you need a new contractor.
No amount of filtering will make that oil ok. Only a fuel polishing machine would work.
It’s only about 60 gallons, let them take it to someone who has a waste oil heater. Or like the others said, use it in the existing tank until it gets down to about an 1/8.
Re: What was the best MacGuyver moment you actually saw on a job site?
I run two fire tube boilers and have a box of tapered wooden plugs for just that reason. Haven't had to use them yet
Grallert
Re: Replacing iron pipe / Non-filling radiator
An example of what happens to dynamic pressure ( pump spinning) in a system with either low fill, or a circ develop in high pressure differential.
So in some cases the upper portion of the system could be running at negative pressure. The second slide shows a system with low fill pressure 5 static, notice - pressure starting just past 1/2 way around the loop.
These are just examples, you would plot your exact piping path to determine where you could go sub-atmospheric. Or gauge a few locations.
Any auto air vents at that location would allow air in, instead of out!
A gauge at that highest radiator should read at less 5 psi static. And ideally not drop, maybe increase when the circ runs. Pumping Away allows that to happen.
hot_rod
Re: Broken anode rod?
Hi, Did they ever get the water tested? It's a band-aid, but you could add a float vent to the hot outlet of the heater. You would want to make a trap in the pipe so any air/gas was trapped at the vent. If you wanted to play scientist, you could collect this air from a faucet with a plastic bag, and then hold a match to the bag. If it only burns a hole in the bag, it's air. Is the contents of the bag burn, it's gas from the action of the anode. I've done this… it doesn't blow up or anything so exciting. 🤠 That test would help you to know where the "air" is coming from.
Yours, Larry
Re: Boiler Header Manifold
We used BASCO on Long Island in the 1980s & 1990s…Excellent & reasonable. Haven't seen them in years. The biggest issue I've seen with the cheap imports is not the welds, but the branches not being 100% plumb with eachother…skewed....Mad Dog






