replacement sizing

ctjomac

I have a one pipe steam boiler, H.B. Smith Oil Boiler, installed in the early 50's. (4 sections) Plate reads 405 sq. ft. steam and 96.800 water and 1.30 gph fuel. I have a 1.25 gph nozzle in it. I would like to consider an upgrade, but need some professional advice. The boiler I have now runs fine, but sucks fuel like it's free. I have an opportunity to buy a used weil mclain that was bought new in 2000 and was in service for 4 years until they went to gas. This weil mclain though only has 3 sections and the plate reads 358 sq. ft. steam, 86,000 water, Gold SGO-3 oil. My house is all original, never added on, but I don't want to buy it if the pros here think it may be too small. Any advise is greatly appreciated, but no I can't afford to buy a new one this year, just thought that upgrading from 1950 to 2000 might save me some fuel and gain some efficiency. Thanks Much, Joe

I posted earlier and SteamHead and TimCo asked for radiation totals, so I found out that I have 94,620 EDR hooked to my current boiler.

So, should I pursue this other boiler or am I just dreaming?

Brad White_200

I would check your EDR again

I assume that your 94,620 "EDR" figure really means "BTUH". if so, your nameplate might also say, "394 Square Feet EDR" or some-such.

If this is the case, the W-M you have would be under-sized.

I am not about to suggest that you remove sections from radiators or replace them with smaller ones, because I have no idea what your current heat loss happens to be. If you insulated and added new windows, sealed the place up, you have a shot at doing that.

Otherwise, you are looking at getting the right size boiler.

Start with your radiation and let's go from there.