Steam Boiler 3 or 4 stage?

Steamhead (in transit)

to compare yours to. Dan has one in the Online Store called "E.D.R." which covers just about every type out there. If you run into something screwy, post pics here and we can help.

<A HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=367&Step=30">To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"</A>

DHS

3 or 4 stage steam boiler

I'm getting a 25 yr. old steam boiler (oil) replaced and I'm getting estimates. One wants to install a 3 stage Weil-McLain SGO Gold. He measured all the raditors before making the bid. Another wants to install a Peerless Pinnacle 4-stage. He did no measurements. Looks like one might be oversized or is one undersized? A pro's help is needed.

Steamhead (in transit)

The Pinnacle is not a steam boiler

he may want to try to convert your system to hot-water, which is a very bad idea. The drastically increased system pressures will do a great job of finding weak points in the piping and radiation, causing leaks. Coupled with the fact that he didn't measure anything, I don't think he's your guy.

How much radiation is on the system now?

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

DHS

I may have been mistaken. He did mention the Pinnacle, but he knows it's a steam system (and there's no way I'd convert), but he didn't give me the written quote. It could be the WBV/WV Series. So far, I'll be going with the Weil-McLain. At least that pro measured the radiators. How do I measure the load so I can get back to you?

DHS

The steam design output is 63,360. This is based on a total EDR of 264. Based on this, what do you think?

Steamhead (in transit)

I think you've

mixed up "stage" with "section". Most steam boilers are cast-iron, and are built in sections to keep the casting process simpler and to make them easy to take into the building in pieces if needed. When we refer to "staged" boiler systems, we mean installations where more than one boiler is used, and the system can run with any or all of these depending on how cold it is outside. So the W-M SGO-3 is a 3-section boiler.

The SGO is a decent boiler, as is the WV, but they have all the disadvantages of vertical-flue boilers with pin-type heat exchanger design. The most efficient residential steamer on the market today is the Burnham Mega-Steam, which has a 3-pass design that can extract heat from the flue gases better and is also much easier to clean. Go here for more:

http://www.burnham.com/mega.htm

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Cunner_2

Megasteam

I would have your contractor take a look at the Burnham Megasteam,the Peerless and Weil or both good steam boilers but in my opinion the Megasteam is now the best steam boiler on the market hands down. You can't beat a 3-pass boiler for efficiency and maintenance.

DHS

Will do. The pro who took the time to check the radiators to determine the EDR, which I have now calculated at 264 for our 2nd floor apartment (the boiler is for the third floor rental unit), did say he'd install whichever brand I prefer. If the Megasteam is the same cost as the Weil-McLain, I'll get that one. I went to their site and liked what I read although I understand little as I am no boiler expert. Whatever boiler I end up with must have a tankless water heater.

I was confused at the different models of Megasteam however. There are different nozzles, etc. All I know is the steam design output, i.e., what my chosen boiler must do, is put out about 63K BTUH. But the specs on Burnham's site don't state anything like that. Can you shed some light on this?

thanks

Steamhead (in transit)

Mega-Steam model numbers

are MST followed by whatever the rating in EDR is. So the MST-288 would handle a system with 264 square feet EDR.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

DHS

I'll now ask the steam guy what's the less expensive system, the Weil-McLain he quoted or the MST-288, which I prefer.

Many thanks for helping me sort this out.

Steamhead (in transit)

Even if the Mega-Steam

is a bit more expensive, it's worth it. Its 3-pass design helps make it more efficient, it's easier to service and it has a better warranty.

I'd pick the Mega-Steam.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"