Steam boiler sizing

Joe Blanks

Question for the experts out there....just quoted a gas/steam boiler replacement for a 5,500s.f. house.  The installed radiation was calculated (measuring rads) at 1,050 s.f.



A competitor got the job with a boiler that provides net IBR of 700 s.f.  because, of course, my price was too high. 



I know what will happen...but curious as to what the specific problems, other than the obvious, this customer might have this winter.  Is it only going to be noticeable on the really cold days?  Might the heating gods be unkind and this guy will get away with this installation?

DanHolohan

My thoughts, Joe.

http://www.heatinghelp.com/article/11/Hot-Tech-Tips/281/Undersized-Steam-Boilers

Joe Blanks

i see...

Thanks, Dan.  It makes sense.  So in reality....chance are that this customer will say "see I told you so, that other contractor was trying to sell us a big boiler we didn't need," and they will seem correct, even though my system would have saved them money.  I guess the satisfaction will be mine alone of knowing I could have served them better.  It's lonely at the top of Olympus.

Charlie from wmass

why they can get away with it unscathed

The boiler ratings also have pick up factors in them. I have had one boiler sized by my supply house and they did not add a proper pickup factor to the size of the boiler. They insisted it was already built into the rating. This was when I was young and dumb and listened when my elders spoke. The boiler heats the house and the owners saved a lot of fuel compared to the old boiler. They could have saved more and that last radiator would have heated all the way across and the steam vent would close on it if I had one more section. But it never does the thermostat shuts off before that last section ever gets hot even on the coldest day. They thing is if they undersized the boiler they may do other things wrong then you can go back and install the right boiler with the right pipe work. clear a spot 4 years from now to do it.

DanHolohan

Down the road,

show 'em that story. Sometimes it helps to hear it from others.



These folks will never know what not hiring you cost them, but lots of people will read this post, and you'll get those. Print it. 

nicholas bonham-carter

small boiller

if only those [potential] clients of yours could have been directed here for information, and maybe a copy of "the lost art of steam heating".

most likely, the winning bidder will not make any provision for air removal, and so the gas company will be paid to squeeeze the air out for each firing. however, since the boiler will run 24/7 due to mis-sizing, maybe that won't be the major problem!--nbc

DanHolohan

A suggestion.

A number of good contractors give perspective customers a copy of my book, We Got Steam Heat, along with the quote. They urge them to read before they decide and this usually makes the difference. They do so well with this book that we offer it in a ProPack:



http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Super-Deals/14/132/We-Got-Steam-Heat-PRO-PACK



Something to consider.

The Steam Whisperer (Formerly Boilerpro)

Dan, you knew I couldn't resist.....

For my alternative perspective on boiler sizing, look here http://www.heatinghelp.com/article/11/Hot-Tech-Tips/1551/Taking-Another-Look-at-Steam-Boiler-Sizing-Methods-by-Dave-Boilerpro-Bunnell



Similiar principals apply to two pipe, but can be implemented more easily.