Q on Oil boiler temps, basebaord length and ODR

Steamhead (in transit)

save money with any system.If you have to use baseboard as your emitters,use as much as you can.Size the system for a lower temp and use more baseboard,you only buy it once!A conventional boiler has to be protected against condensation and can only be reset to that point.Consider a condensing boiler,size the radiation so it's below the condensation point and you can condense year 'round!

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[Deleted User]

Q on Oil boiler temps, basebaord length and ODR

In the process of getting quotes for a new oil boiler and baseboard. I asked the question if there were efficiencies gained in lowering the operating temp of the boiler and running longer sections of baseboard. I was told no, as there is no method to control how oil burns. Its either off or on. Thus, implying the same amount of oil would be used to heat a room with a boiler temp at 180 using 10 ft of baseboard as would a boiler temp of 140 using 15 ft of baseboard (or whatever the btu/ft load is). Similarly then, I was told ODR gains little in efficiency for the same reason. In contrast, burning of gas can be controlled (ie modulated) and efficiencies using these methods are far greater.

This info seems to contrast a lot of posts on this board and I’m wondering where this tech might be wrong or how I would of misinterpreted what was told to me. Thanks in advance. jd

Steamhead (in transit)

Lower temps



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Glenn Sossin_2

common sense

Agree with Robert - the lower the temperature you operate at, the higher the overall efficiency is likely to be - similar to driving your car you will get better mileage at 50 mph than 100mph.

Lower temps also potentially mean longer operating cycles - less on / off - it makes system components last longer. Another advantage, more comfortable longer wider response curve.

In a perfect world, we would want to replace heat at the same rate and quantity as it is lost. Utilizing a modulating burner is one factor/method - adjusting flow rates, and water temperature (ODR) are also effective. Use ODR if you can, and design around a lower operating temp (more baseboard).

On some jobs, not only do I design using ODR, and lower temps, I've been using radiant manifolds with operators, and individual pex loops to the baseboards. This allows for more individual control over temps in rooms. Why keep the heat up in a room if your not in it - such as a dining room.

My $.02

Glenn

[Deleted User]

Glen-

The mileage analolgy was exactly what the tech used to compare a modulating gas boiler to an oil boiler. His argument was that time alone controls the temperature of the boiler...the longer the burn cycle the hotter the temperature. Whereas with gas, the technology allows control over the amount fuel burned to reach a desired temp (like fuel injectors in a car).

So, regarding lower temps w/ oil, longer cycle times don't necessarily translate to fuel consumption, but rather less wear and tear and more comfort??