help with EDR values

bdan

Just discovered this forum and love all the great information and knowledge.I may have discovered it just in time...

   I'm replacing my oil fired steam boiler with a gas fired one. I have read over and over to properly size it. My plumber suggested a Burnham Independence model IN6. I decided to calculate the EDR values myself.

   I have 6 radiators like the one pictured: 36"tall by 9" deep, 3 columns between 4-9 sections (one only 24"tall). I also have one steam Iron baseboard radiator 8' long (I used a calculation of 3.4 sq.ft. EDR per linear ft. for this one.)  Through my calculations, I have determined my total sq. ft. EDR to be 191.

   Looking at the spec. sheet, the IN6 steam sq. ft. rating is 450. A couple of questions:



1) Could my plumber have been that far off?

2) Does my calculation of 191 sound reasonable?

3) Am I looking at the right specs? Multiplying by 240 gives me 45,840.



   The spec sheet lists:

1) Input MBH

2) DOE Heating Capacity

3) Steam MBH

  

   I have read there's a factor of 1.3 or 1.5 to cover all the mains and risers, I'm just not sure which is the best number to try and match.

It's a simple 1920's single pipe steam system with a 40+ year old Weil-McClein boiler I can't read the model #.

   Any thoughts would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.

Rod

EDR Calculations

Hi- Attached is a work sheet that will help you determine and double check your EDR calculations.

- Rod

Patrick_North

Hmmm....

I'm not a pro, but even I can say that...

1) Yes, there are many reasons he could be this far off. Did he calculate the attached EDR? Perhaps the old boiler was this large.

2) Given the limited specs you provided, your EDR sounds reasonable.

3) Yes, you are correct to be suspicious.

Without jumping to too many conclusions,this doesn't bode well for this installer's abilities. Another opinion/bid (or three) seems warranted.

If you don't have to replace the boiler immediately, there's a lot you can learn now (from this site and the excellent books available here) that will reduce your gas bills later.

Good luck!

Patrick

Charlie from wmass

So you are looking for 248 or a bit less

for an edr. If they can not size the boiler how will they install it?

Steamhead

That's a small system

we see lots of these in Baltimore rowhouses. That IN6 would be way oversized.



Take some pics of your radiators and post them here to be sure.

bdan

thanks

Thanks to all for your responses. It is a small attached house in Queens. I'm feeling good about my value of 191 and getting a grip on all the other numbers. The PDF Rob listed looks just like the sheet I had made up.

   I've attached a photo of one of the radiators and the valve end of the 8' baseboard.

I'm thinking the IN4 model would be sufficient:

DOE:87

Steam MBH:65

Steam sq.ft.:271

Does the fact that I have 2 10' hot water baseboards on a loop in the basement effect my needs? If so will the IN4 still cover it?