Burnham or Peerless

amakro15

Which is a better nat gas steam boiler, Peerless or Burnham and why?

I was told that I can’t put a Burnham because I have a 3” supply riser to header and Burnham only makes for a 2” connection from boiler. Is that true?

Fred

Is the current boiler and header piped correctly? If the configuration of the header, mains, equalizer have to be redone anyway, the size of the risers out of the boiler can be whatever size you need. If, by chance, the current piping is correct and you can reuse it, intact, they certainly can bush it down or put a reducing elbow into the header to use the 2" risers out of the Burnham. Both companies make very good boilers. I would guess most of the Pros might favor the Peerless.

amakro15

I was told The header, mains and equalizer are configured correctly. He said not to mess with that configuration and that Peerless makes a 3” connection from boiler not Burnham. Would it be any negative effect caused by reducing it down from 3” to 2” if I went with a Burnham?

Steamhead

What model Burnham and Peerless boilers are you considering? The Burnham would be IN-something and the Peerless would be 63- or 64-something.

nicholas bonham-carter

This sounds like a cut and slide installation. Post some pictures of your present piping, before pulling the trigger on this. What is the EDR of your radiators, for sizing?—NBC

newagedawn

peerless, they are just way better boilers and they have a larger water content than garbage burnhams that are prone to leak!!!!!
plus these boilers are still made in the good ole USA!!!! right in boyertown ,PA, no chinese crap there!!!!!!

BobC

The first thing to consider is the skill of the installer, the best boiler will do you no geed if it isn't installed right. This means he may have to go beyond just sliding a new boiler in, there may be system problems that have to be dealt with.

Choose wisely.

Bob

Mark N

Newagedawn, since when are Burnham Boilers not manufactured in the US?

Dan_NJ

Mark N said:

Newagedawn, since when are Burnham Boilers not manufactured in the US?

Who said they weren't? Implied maybe, but he was talking about Peerless.

amakro15

Ok so I had 2 different guys recommend 2 different boilers to me. First Burnham in5 140k BTU with rated steam sqft 358. 2nd guy said peerless 63-04 177k Btu rated steam sqft 458. My EDR is 432. is Burnham too undersized and/or is peerless too oversized? Am I missing something?

Dan_NJ

There's a lower output version of the 63-04 also, 63-04L. 383 sq ft.

Fred

- The 358 Sq. Ft. is a little small. The 383 Sq. Ft. that Dan suggests will probably work well.
- If you go with the 458 Sq. Ft, I'd see if it could be down fired 5% or if it can be ordered and installed with a two stage gas valve on it. Or:
- Ask the installer to find a boiler for you that better matches your EDR.

The installer that said you can't install the Burnham because the riser tappings are only 2" would not be an installer I'd be comfortable using. JMHO

Steamhead

Unless this is a Vapor system with fin-tube convectors, I wouldn't consider undersizing the boiler. If I were using a Burnham on that system I'd use the IN6, at 450 square feet.

But I prefer the Peerless. Go with the 63-04.

Fizz

Generally you should match your boiler square ft to attached sf of radiation. You said you have sq ft of 432, then Peerless.

Dave0176

Since we’re a Weil-McLain dealer id install an EG-50 at 150,000 BTU and 454 sqft steam with a 2 stage gas valve and vaporstat to stage fire the burner and always maintain 10oz steam pressure. Of course use both 3” tappings full size into a 3” drop header.

New England SteamWorks

I very much dislike the Burnham IN series.

Peerless 63 of Weil EG. Both excellent, gauges/controls on opposite sides, -which often times makes the determination.

But, as far as sizing, we need to be sure your EDR was calculated correctly. Not likely a contractor under-sized. Very common they over-size. Could be the guy with the 358 EDR knows how to measure, -but doesn't know the Burnham IN is crappy.

Triple check.